Alexis is 6 years old now and loves to dance, sing, and do everything else little girls love to do! In the fall of 2014 everything changed for her.

Alexis came down with what at first seemed like a typical cold, but quickly progressed to muscle pain and loss of control of the face, neck, left arm and other areas of her body. Alexis was one of the  few children in the Calgary area that got sick and experienced polio-like symptoms.

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/enterovirus-d68-alberta-confirms-virus-after-spike-in-child-hospital-admissions-1.2766027 ‌

Today, Alexis still suffers from paralysis in her left shoulder, upper arm and the left side of her face and neck. Her smile is different but still beautiful and ever present. This illness is very common but Alexis' symptoms are very rare. The doctors simply don't have answers for us.

 http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20150209/enterovirus-paralysis-cases ‌

If you have little ones, or know someone who does, please make sure to let them know to watch for any sign of muscle pain or weakness when they have a cold. At the first sign of symptoms, they should immediately go to the Children's Hospital in your area. Our experience with an emergency clinic was not good as they were completely unprepared to diagnose and assist at that time.

I am a young father, and with the downturn in the economy, I have had cuts in my wage and hours. It's been a struggle just to put food on the table for my family. I have no insurance coverage so I am not able to afford the help Alexis needs. The cost of physiotherapy alone for 1 day a week is around  $4000/year.

It has felt like a helpless battle and the fact I can not provide Alexis with the help she needs is killing me inside.

Please help my daughter get better so she can live a normal life.