Leylahs Dream Jar

When Leylah was 18 months old she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, spastic diplegia. This is a neurological condition that permanently affects muscle control and coordination. This condition causes Leylah to have increased muscle tone in her legs. She was never able to crawl as a baby, or walk as a toddler; and to this day she still uses assisted devices to get around. She wears AFO’s (braces) from knee down, to support her legs standing in a “normal” position.

Recently we got some AMAZING news! Leylah was selected to have surgery on April 16th. They only 2 of these surgeries a month because they are very intense. The surgery is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) and it involves destroying problematic nerve roots throughout the spinal cord. It will be a 3-5 hour surgery and will require 6-8 weeks of inpatient hospital care. She will have to participate in intensive physical and occupational therapy post surgery. This will help her to regain some of her core and lower body strength. Once she is released she will have to participate in outpatient therapy 4 times per week for up to two years. 

We had no idea how fast all of this was going to happen but we are beyond grateful for the opportunity to give Leylah the quality of life that she deserves. We could not have asked for a brighter spirit to stand by this entire time! She lights up every single room she enters and always takes care of the people around her. We would like to give her the opportunity to do all of this without being selectively mobile. 

Her care and equipment post surgery will not be easy to handle alone. We are not asking that you give us all that you have but please if you are able to donate even $1, we will make it go a very long way for our beautiful little girl! 

#TeamLaLa
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