Rochelle's Wish To Come Home

 On November 1, 2017, my sister, Rochelle was admitted to the hospital with severe pneumonia that caused her left lung to collapse and the doctor had to perform an emergency tracheotomy. After several weeks being on the ventilator breathing for Rochelle. With all her strength and will to live she was able to manage to get off the ventilator and breath on her own again with help of Oxygen and was transported to the nursing home to recover. Last month she was admitted back to the hospital with the case of pneumonia and MRSA. Rochelle has a genetic disorder Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Title 1 that causes  progressive muscle weakness. Rochelle's symptoms  include muscle weakness in the face, neck, and legs. She  has been experiencing  respiratory muscle weakness and muscle pain.

Over time this disease  deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and beyond. Although the defective gene has been identified, there are no cures for myotonic dystrophy. Treatment focuses on managing complications

Myotonic Dystrophy is also known as Steinert's disease and is the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy affecting approximately 1 in. 8,000 people worldwide. 

 Rochelle’s wish has always been to go back home and has been the driving force and motivation to get through all the pain.


Currently, Rochelle requires 24/7 assistance with every part of her daily life. Although my mom and I have been devoted our time and energy to Rochelle’s care and needs while she has been at the hospital and nursing home, we are beyond the scope of what we can provide. We currently are in great need of an in-home assistant, an assistant we are not able to afford.

Rochelle does receive some disability, but this does not cover in 24/7 in home care nursing assistance.

Rochelle’s wish is to come back home, but her care is our primary concern and it is our hope that we may be able to raise funds to support an in-home assistant for as long as we are able. We would rather have her home more than anything in the world. 

To all who know our sweet Rochelle and have been so kind to her, my family and me whole-heartedly thank each of you. Please pass this along to anyone you feel would resonate with our story. And to those who hear our story for the first time, thank you for reading this far. Any amount of donation is blessing and encouragement to our family.

With gratitude,
Rebecca, Tacey, Derek and Gavin