Aid Dakota's Move for Life-Changing Therapy

Hi, my name is Tiffeney, and I'm Dakota's mom. Dakota had an asthma attack on Jan 1, 2024, which led to a cardiac arrest. She then stopped breathing and was without oxygen for 3 minutes. She was taken to Loma Linda University Hospital, where she was intubated, then extubated, and was speaking by the third day. On day 4, they gave her an MRI and were told no damage was done. On the 5th day, they decided to transfer her out of the PICU to a regular room and loaded Dakota up on Keppra, which resulted in Dakota having neurostorms and not talking anymore. In the regular room, Dakota's heart rate went up to 200 before anyone would help her! They finally called a rapid response, and all the doctors and nurses came to her room, but they soon left. Dakota's sister and I had to push Dakota's bed with one male nurse back up to the PICU ourselves. During this time, Dakota suffered a stroke, which led to an anoxic brain injury. She was in the PICU until Feb 13, when we were told Dakota would never wake up and would be a vegetable for the rest of her life. She was transferred to Totally Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where they let her lay in bed with no therapy or help for a year! I have repeatedly fought for physical and speech therapy but was told that she did not qualify for any kind of therapy.

Well, like most parents, I refused to believe this was it for Dakota as she would try to talk, was responsive to her boyfriend singing to her, and would laugh and even yell at us sometimes! My prayers were answered when this wonderful lady from Casa Colina came to see Dakota and referred Dakota to TIRR in Houston, Texas, a hospital that specializes in disorders of consciousness! We waited, and just this week, we found out Dakota was approved to be transferred to Houston. I am asking if anyone could possibly help us out as we had no time to prepare for this big move from California to Texas at a moment's notice. But I'm very positive that TIRR will help my baby get better instead of just letting her stay in a bed doing nothing! It's a big move, and Dakota will have to be transferred by ambulance, and then we will have to be flown to Texas. I will keep everyone updated on this new, exciting part of our lives, as I would do anything I can to help Dakota. She is my baby girl, and I hate that this happened to her, all because a hospital made so many mistakes and let her heart rate get up to 200! My poor daughter didn't deserve for them to wait so long to help her! But we are doing everything to help Dakota recover. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated now and before.