Help Bring My Legs Back to Life

     Hi!  My name is Jerica Stanley. I am eleven years old.  I am in the sixth grade at Fairview Elementary School in Tennessee where I participate in cross country, gymnastics, and cheerleading.  I come from a healthy family of six.  I am the oldest and only daughter with three younger brothers.  In just 10 short minutes, my world was changed forever!
     Here is my story!  I was at a friend's house  playing outside then came in to rest.  After texting some friends my legs began to hurt so I called my Mom to come pick me up.  She shortly arrived and as I started to get up I realized I was unable to move my legs.  We knew something was not right so instantly went to East Tennessee Childrens Hospital (ETCH) in Knoxville, Tennessee.  They did a MRI and ran some test unsure of what was causing my problems.  The next morning my problems progressed from no muscle control in my legs to no feeling or muscle control from the waist down.  They began steroids which seem to stop the progression.  They began plasmapheresis, a process that cleans your blood for ten days.  After that they began IVIG which puts good things back into your blood.  They then diagnosed me with transverse myeletis and referred me to Children's Hospital of Atlanta  (CHOA) for rehab after two and a half weeks. 
     We arrived to Atlanta and as they reviewed my story and the test ran at ETCH they wanted to make sure that the diagnosis was correct.  They ran several more MRIs and blood test.  After the sixth that took over five hours, they determined that I had a spinal cord stroke and the chances of recovery were not good.  They are not sure what caused this.  I had not been sick, blood work was great on all test ran, and all the things that cause a spinal cord stroke, like MS and Lupas came back great.  There wasn't any  reason what so ever for me to be left paralized from the waist down.  
     During my two month stay in the rehablitation hospital, I was chosen to demonstrate a new robotics system called Ekso Bionics that the hospital was considering to purchase.  It is a wearable suit which enables individuals with any amount of lower extremity weakness to stand up and walk over ground.  Walking is achieved by sensors in the device that detect weight shifts.  I was able to walk again with just one session!  It is newest revolution in robotic technology and quite expensive but the health benefits would be amazing. The Ekso Bionics would allow me the opportunity to use more of my muscles, provide better blood flow and circulation to my lower extremties, and it also helps with the digestive and cardiovasicular system. Most important of all, it allows me a chance to be able to lead a more normal life that I'm accustomed me. It is devastating to be living as a normal 11 year old,  playing with my friends, cheering at football and basketball games, going to the mall, swimming, and many other activites and then in one moment my world changed. Now my life consist of theraphy, being away from my friends, trying to figure out how to live life in a different style. Even though nothing can replace my legs, the Ekso Bionics can give me a new outlook and a better quality of life.
     Any donations are greatly appreciated and most important of all,  I need a miracle. Therefore, say a prayer that God will move in a mighty way and restore my legs to their full functioning ability. 
     Donations may also be made at Frist National Bank 18418 Alberta St. Oneida, Tennessee 37841 : Jerica Stanley Ekso Robotics Fund