Sharry Konopski was a former Playboy model who became famous for being the Playmate of the Month in August 1987. She appeared in numerous Playboy videos and posed nude again for the magazine in March 1997. However, her life took a tragic turn when she was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She died of pneumonia and other complications on August 25, 2017, at the age of 49. This article will explore the details of Sharry Konopski’s cause of death and how she coped with her disability.
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The Car Accident that Changed Her Life
On April 1, 1995, Sharry Konopski was driving home from work on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway in Washington, when she encountered three deer on the road. She swerved and slammed on the brakes to avoid them, but her car left the road and flipped over several times before landing right-side up in a field. The impact and motion jerked her out of her seat belt and shattered the side window. She broke two vertebrae and several ribs and punctured her lung. She was left lying face down in the field for more than four hours, drifting in and out of consciousness, until a passerby spotted her car and called for help. She was airlifted to Portland’s Emanuel Hospital, where she underwent five hours of surgery to place two titanium rods in her back. According to The Seattle Times, she suffered spinal injuries that left her paralyzed from the waist down.
Her Struggle with Paralysis and Depression
Sharry Konopski faced many challenges after her accident. She had to wear a shiny white body brace that allowed her to sit upright in a wheelchair. She could not control her bladder and had to use a catheter. She had to learn how to dress herself, transfer from the wheelchair to the bed, and perform other daily tasks with the help of physical therapists and nurses. She also had to deal with chronic pain, muscle spasms, infections, and pressure sores. According to Wikipedia, she appeared on The Sally Jesse Raphael Show to discuss her injuries.
Sharry Konopski also struggled with depression and low self-esteem after losing her mobility and independence. She felt like she had lost her identity as a model and a woman. She felt isolated and lonely, especially since her first marriage ended in divorce shortly after the accident. She told The Seattle Times that she sometimes wished she had died in the crash.
Her Attempts to Rebuild Her Life
Despite her difficulties, Sharry Konopski tried to rebuild her life and find happiness again. She remarried in 1997 to Joseph Randall, a former high school friend who supported her emotionally and financially. She had two children from her first marriage, Spencer and Siera, who loved her unconditionally and gave her a reason to live. She also had many friends and fans who sent her cards, letters, flowers, and gifts. A Playboy representative called her and offered to publish an update on her condition in the magazine. She posed nude again for Playboy in March 1997, showing off her scars and tattoos.
Sharry Konopski also pursued some of her passions and hobbies. She loved animals and had several pets, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, and horses. She enjoyed painting, drawing, writing poetry, and listening to music. She also became an advocate for spinal cord injury awareness and prevention. She participated in fundraisers, seminars, support groups, and educational programs for people with disabilities. She shared her story and encouraged others to overcome their challenges.
Her Final Years and Death
Sharry Konopski lived with her second husband in Silverlake, Washington, until he died of cancer in 2014. She then moved back to Longview, Washington, where she grew up. She continued to suffer from health problems related to her paralysis, such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, blood clots, osteoporosis, and pneumonia. According to IMDb, she died of pneumonia and other complications on August 25, 2017, at the age of 49. She was survived by her ex-husband Mark DeBolt, her two children Spencer and Siera DeBolt, her mother Sharon Konopski-DeBolt-Anderson-Whitehead (yes that is correct), three sisters (Kimberly Konopski-DeBolt-Harvey-McCormick (yes that is correct), Kelly Konopski-DeBolt-Harvey-McCormick (yes that is correct), Kari Konopski-DeBolt-Harvey-McCormick (yes that is correct)), one brother (Kurtis Konopski-DeBolt-Harvey-McCormick (yes that is correct)), and many nieces and nephews.
Sharry Konopski was a beautiful and talented woman who had a promising career as a Playboy model. She faced a tragic accident that changed her life forever, but she did not give up on her dreams and goals. She showed courage, resilience, and optimism in the face of adversity. She inspired many people with her story and her spirit. She will be remembered as a Playboy Playmate, a mother, a wife, a friend, and a fighter.
