Ezana Goitom's Health Fund
Donation protected
Friday October 20, 2017 started off as a normal day until we got a phone call that our youngest brother Ezana was taken to the hospital after a fall. He was found by his friend, down some steps, in a fetal position, unable to move and was transported to George Washington Hospital for spinal surgery. Little did we know that this fateful day would change our “normal” life, which now includes a rotating schedule of daily hospital visits, advocating for his medical care, and working toward the best outcome under the circumstances.
A little bit about Ezana:
Ezana Goitom is 46-years old, the son of Neguest Menguesha and Goitom Gide, youngest brother of Ephrem, Issayas, Zebad, Aster and Azeb Goitom. Like all his siblings, Ezana went to Lycée Gebremariam French School in Addis Ababa, before emigrating to the US in early 90's.
His medical condition:
Our brother Ezana Goitom Gide sustained a spinal cord injury and has been diagnosed with Central Cord Syndrome. He is now quadriplegic, bed bound, unable to move his extremities. Ezana is oxygen dependent with a tracheostomy to breath. He has a speaking valve that allows him to speak.
For the past seven months, he has been to different hospitals due to many health complications and problems. After many ups and downs, two steps forward one step back, he is currently preparing for an acute rehabilitation.
Based on the overall assessment of the Doctors, we are realistic in recognizing that he will not regain his motor skills and now, we are gearing towards planning his future accordingly.
This is where we are making this humble appeal to our family and friends for help. The road is long and we are turning for your help to alleviate some of the financial burden we are facing.
This experience has made us all reflect in the preciousness of life. We are constantly reminded to do our due diligence by Ezana’s
love, smile, sense of humor, his courage in his acceptance of his condition and yet with optimism in a future where he sees himself being productive and independent. Ezana says the outpouring of love and support received during these past seven months from family and friends inspires him to endure with hope and sanity, as we, in turn, are inspired by his attitude to do all we can to help him. His medical condition should not be an impediment to living life to its fullest and to being productive – the mind is too precious not to fight for.
We would like to thank all our friends and family members who have been with us during this difficult time and words fail us to express how grateful we are for the love and support you’ve shown us. May God reward you a thousand fold!
Zebad, Ephrem, Ezana , Azeb and Aster in Neuro-ICU
Where your money goes:
Ezana needs an acute rehabilitation. In order to be admitted to a rehabilitation center, he will need a discharge plan to a safe living space for his condition. This means that he has to have a place in Washington, D.C., which is approved by the American Disability Act. We are currently looking for suitable apartments close to the rehabilitation center until we find one through government help in the long term.
Although he may be eligible to receive 12 to 18 hours of home aide per day, his current medical status requires 24 hours skilled nursing care per day for which he will need to pay out of pocket.
In addition, the equipment needed to alleviate his situation is costly. Since he is unable to use his limbs, he will need a computer to be operated with his eyes/voice and a motorized wheelchair to be monitored with his head.
Also, in order for us, the family, to move him around from home to an out patient acute rehabilitation, we will need a handicapped friendly van.
It is a humbling experience to ask for funds, however life is too sacred not to fight for it.
Please stand with us and help us know we’re not alone.
Again, thank you so much for all that you’ve done for us. It is in the support that we’ve received thus far that we found the courage to make this appeal.
Ezana with his mother
A little bit about Ezana:
Ezana Goitom is 46-years old, the son of Neguest Menguesha and Goitom Gide, youngest brother of Ephrem, Issayas, Zebad, Aster and Azeb Goitom. Like all his siblings, Ezana went to Lycée Gebremariam French School in Addis Ababa, before emigrating to the US in early 90's.
His medical condition:
Our brother Ezana Goitom Gide sustained a spinal cord injury and has been diagnosed with Central Cord Syndrome. He is now quadriplegic, bed bound, unable to move his extremities. Ezana is oxygen dependent with a tracheostomy to breath. He has a speaking valve that allows him to speak.
For the past seven months, he has been to different hospitals due to many health complications and problems. After many ups and downs, two steps forward one step back, he is currently preparing for an acute rehabilitation.
Based on the overall assessment of the Doctors, we are realistic in recognizing that he will not regain his motor skills and now, we are gearing towards planning his future accordingly.
This is where we are making this humble appeal to our family and friends for help. The road is long and we are turning for your help to alleviate some of the financial burden we are facing.
This experience has made us all reflect in the preciousness of life. We are constantly reminded to do our due diligence by Ezana’s
love, smile, sense of humor, his courage in his acceptance of his condition and yet with optimism in a future where he sees himself being productive and independent. Ezana says the outpouring of love and support received during these past seven months from family and friends inspires him to endure with hope and sanity, as we, in turn, are inspired by his attitude to do all we can to help him. His medical condition should not be an impediment to living life to its fullest and to being productive – the mind is too precious not to fight for.
We would like to thank all our friends and family members who have been with us during this difficult time and words fail us to express how grateful we are for the love and support you’ve shown us. May God reward you a thousand fold!
Zebad, Ephrem, Ezana , Azeb and Aster in Neuro-ICUWhere your money goes:
Ezana needs an acute rehabilitation. In order to be admitted to a rehabilitation center, he will need a discharge plan to a safe living space for his condition. This means that he has to have a place in Washington, D.C., which is approved by the American Disability Act. We are currently looking for suitable apartments close to the rehabilitation center until we find one through government help in the long term.
Although he may be eligible to receive 12 to 18 hours of home aide per day, his current medical status requires 24 hours skilled nursing care per day for which he will need to pay out of pocket.
In addition, the equipment needed to alleviate his situation is costly. Since he is unable to use his limbs, he will need a computer to be operated with his eyes/voice and a motorized wheelchair to be monitored with his head.
Also, in order for us, the family, to move him around from home to an out patient acute rehabilitation, we will need a handicapped friendly van.
It is a humbling experience to ask for funds, however life is too sacred not to fight for it.
Please stand with us and help us know we’re not alone.
Again, thank you so much for all that you’ve done for us. It is in the support that we’ve received thus far that we found the courage to make this appeal.
Ezana with his motherOrganizer
Aster Goitom
Organizer
Falls Church, VA
