Helping Liz

Nobody wants to imagine their child becoming ill. Nobody wants to think about their child being on life support, praying for them to open their eyes. Nobody would ever dream of praying for their child to be able to walk again. But here we are.

 

My daughter, Elysa, is 22 years old and in October 2021 she got extremely sick. For weeks, nobody could diagnose her and it wasn't until she was hospitalized, on a ventilator, paralyzed, in the ICU, that she was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). It is a rare neurological disease that attacks the immune system and nerve endings, rendering its victims paralyzed and helpless.

 

The days, weeks and now months that followed have been the hardest time of her life - of all our lives - and we are nowhere near the end of this incredible nightmare. While Liz is no longer in the ICU, she is still in desperate need of medical intervention. She has been moved to the Neurology ward and has begun intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Essentially, she needs to re-learn absolutely everything, from eating, to talking to walking. When she is strong enough, she will eventually be moved to a rehabilitation facility.

 

Liz recently suffered a major setback in her recovery - her lung collapsed, and she developed pneumonia. For her already weak body, this was far too much to take. We are hopeful that with continued care from the incredible doctors at the hospital, her infection will clear and her lung will heal, but it will be a long road to recovery.

To date, Elysa has been in hospital for more than 80 days. While Canada has a good medical system and we are grateful for the care we have received so far, there is an extensive list of therapies and treatments (including psychotherapy to help her manage the emotional and physical trauma she has endured) she will require that are not covered by OHIP. To ensure she has the best chance at recovery, we are reaching out to our friends, family and the community for help. Your generosity, compassion and support can help Liz regain a sense of normalcy and independence.

The first steps are to get Elysa to extensive trauma counselling which is not covered. I am sure you can imagine the type of toll being in ICU for 6 weeks, hospitalized for 3 months and counting and being paralyzed depending on others to care for your basic needs.

It's so rare that we get an opportunity to affect someone’s life. I think back to how many people poured into my life with their generosity, time, money, encouragement, and it brings me to tears. The impact that those people had on my life can never be measured. I am so grateful for the lives we share with one another, so grateful for each and every person in our lives. I am hoping to call on you to help Elysa today so she can have the chance to thank you herself.

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Her Hebrew name is Elysa Sarah Chaya bat Esther.

Esther