Help Alice Return to Wonderland

We, the Ed Tech Team, have created this GoFundMe in support of Jenith, our dear friend and her sister, Dana. As many of you know, Jenith has recently been diagnosed with cancer. As if that wasn’t enough of a major life adjustment, her mother, Alice, simultaneously suffered a massive stroke. As you can imagine, Jenith and Dana have had quite the rollercoaster ride dealing with both situations over the past two months, and would greatly benefit from some extra support. Here is their story, and how you can help...

Help Alice get back to living the vibrant, Independent life she was living. On January 16th, she suffered an ischemic stroke. It was a pretty severe stroke and she is a bit of a miracle according to the doctors and her daughters who have watched her make great strides over the last several weeks.  After 21 days in the hospital, she was discharged. Still not remembering each day that she had had a stroke, struggling with memory, speech, the use of her right arm and she was still considered a fall risk. She stayed at Dana's house for 2 weeks and then transitioned back to her apartment with the help of her sister Betty, and Alice’s niece, Carol. They both flew out from Minnesota to help with the transition back into her own apartment. Alice's sister and niece left Friday, March 1st. I know Dana and Jenith were grateful for their support, and this is where you can help.

Background: Alice still has 70-100% carotid artery occlusion, meaning she is essentially a walking time bomb, with the possibility of having another stroke at any moment.  Her carotid artery is so filled with plaque that blood flow to her brain is minimal. A piece of plaque had broken off causing the stroke. She has to wait for her cardiologist to clear her to see the vascular doctor so they can either insert a stint or roto-root the vein. The girls are scrambling to make sure she is safe, and able to get to and from various doctor/therapy appointments (crucial at this time), and maintaining life’s basic functions, like eating and taking proper medication. Of course, insurance only covers putting her in a nursing facility for a couple of weeks and that would be a very restrictive environment and not the best recovery place for Alice. She has made the most progress, and is happiest, being in her own home. Your donation would help Jenith and Dana make sure she is taken care of and safe there.

As many of you know, it is just the two daughters. Jenith is a director in Education, and CSUF professor, and was just diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4. She is currently in treatment and just received her second round of chemotherapy, which will significantly reduce the physical support she can give to her mother. Dana, who works full time running the Down Syndrome Foundation and Learning Center is the mother to Nicholas, her 20-year-old son with Down syndrome. Nick is awesome but also has additional needs that Dana must support. Dana has also been the superpower sister, helping Jenith with her current medical journey. The girls are superheroes, doing all they can to support their mom, and each other, but could really use some more help. Jump down the rabbit hole for Alice, and let’s make their village bigger!

Alice collects social security and has Medicare, but will need additional funds to hire in-home support. Jenith and Dana see this as temporary,  getting Alice the support she needs through the next year, when it’s most critical to regain normal functioning, after a stroke. Currently, it will cost Jenith and Dana $3500 a month for in-home support, with the hope of weaning off as Alice shows progress and independence. Also, if you know anyone that can transport her to and from appointments while the daughters are at work, let them know! If you can spare anything, it would be greatly appreciated. Neither Jenith or Dana would ask for help, so we aren’t giving them a choice! Cheshire Cats, white rabbits, Mad Hatters and Queen of Hearts are all welcome to participate! At the very least, please keep this family in your prayers and thoughts. Any money that is not used will be paid forward and donated to nonprofits in support of Stroke and Cancer research.

“It's no use going back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” -Alice in Wonderland

Thank you! - The Ed Tech Team - Melissa, Martha, Christie, and Katie