Ashley Faith
Donation protected
Hello all (:
In September of 2019, a couples weeks after her 16th birthday, Ashley Faith Parker was the victim of a random gang-related shooting outside of De Anza High School during a late night football game. This school was only blocks away from her home, many of her church friends attend here, and she felt comfortable and safe. She was headed out to the car with her friends a little before the game ended, as to not leave too late, when the shooting occurred. Her friends and twin sister, Melissa, watched as it happened. Renee, the mother of Ashley's friend whose house they were headed to, quickly ran to the scene and applied pressure. With the efforts of Renee and the first responders* Ashley was brought into the ICU at Highland Hospital, Oakland where she stayed for over two weeks. This is where it was determined that the bullet was lodged into her spine causing a spinal cord injury, and that she would be permanently paralyzed from the chest down. She was then transferred to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland where she stayed for 3 months gaining her strength, learning how to use a wheelchair, and putting a smile on the staff members' faces with her witty humor and positive attitude.
There was a Go-Fund me started soon after the incident occurred which has helped my family pay for their house rent and utilities, car payments and other bills while my mom could not work during this time. It also helped pay for things Ashley needed while in the hospital, helped get a wheelchair stair lift installed in our home in preparation of her return, helped with their everyday groceries and needs, etc...This money helped my family be able to focus on Ashley and her recovery without worrying about missing any payments on everyday things.
As we come into the new year with a new path of life for Ashley, we are all looking for a fresh start. I am her older sister and am starting this Go-Fund me to help raise money so that my family can move out of their rental house and buy a home where Ashley can feel safe again. With currently living only blocks away from the site of the shooting, her twin sister, Melissa, passing it everyday while going to school (and Ashley, too, once she goes back in a few weeks), and their current school shutting down at the end of the semester...we are looking to move somewhere new. Because my mom lost her job, we are unable to take out a loan. Any money raised this time around will be used toward a down payment on a house, any medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, like different therapies, some home alterations to make it wheelchair friendly, possibly a car that makes it easier for my 4ft 9in mom to lift her in and out of, or even a service dog to be with Ashley if she falls out of her chair or drops her phone and can't contact us; any items and services to make Ashley's life easier, but also help her become more and more independent.
She's a small girl, with a big heart in an even bigger world. She is ready to stand against all obstacles that life throws at her, and remains faithful and joyful in God and His constant strength. We are eternally grateful that we get more birthdays, Christmases, movie nights, smiles, laughs, and Tik Tok videos from Ashley Faith (:
Please do not feel pressured to donate, just listen to her story as we come together to say that Enough is Enough. Gun violence is real, non-discriminatory, and our children fear it everyday. Many families aren't as lucky as ours; we get to raise money for things like Ashley's therapies while others are raising it for funeral costs. For all families and individuals affected by gun violence, we hear you and you are not alone. That is something that Ashley adamantly stands behind and will stand against anyone who says otherwise. Thank you so much for listening.
*To the first responders who were called, even if later cancelled, we would like to thank you over and over and over again for being ready to save the day, everyday, and especially that night. You are our family.
Richmond Firefighters 188, Richmond Fire Department Engine 63 & 68, Contra Costa Fire District Engine 69 & 70.
In September of 2019, a couples weeks after her 16th birthday, Ashley Faith Parker was the victim of a random gang-related shooting outside of De Anza High School during a late night football game. This school was only blocks away from her home, many of her church friends attend here, and she felt comfortable and safe. She was headed out to the car with her friends a little before the game ended, as to not leave too late, when the shooting occurred. Her friends and twin sister, Melissa, watched as it happened. Renee, the mother of Ashley's friend whose house they were headed to, quickly ran to the scene and applied pressure. With the efforts of Renee and the first responders* Ashley was brought into the ICU at Highland Hospital, Oakland where she stayed for over two weeks. This is where it was determined that the bullet was lodged into her spine causing a spinal cord injury, and that she would be permanently paralyzed from the chest down. She was then transferred to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland where she stayed for 3 months gaining her strength, learning how to use a wheelchair, and putting a smile on the staff members' faces with her witty humor and positive attitude.
There was a Go-Fund me started soon after the incident occurred which has helped my family pay for their house rent and utilities, car payments and other bills while my mom could not work during this time. It also helped pay for things Ashley needed while in the hospital, helped get a wheelchair stair lift installed in our home in preparation of her return, helped with their everyday groceries and needs, etc...This money helped my family be able to focus on Ashley and her recovery without worrying about missing any payments on everyday things.
As we come into the new year with a new path of life for Ashley, we are all looking for a fresh start. I am her older sister and am starting this Go-Fund me to help raise money so that my family can move out of their rental house and buy a home where Ashley can feel safe again. With currently living only blocks away from the site of the shooting, her twin sister, Melissa, passing it everyday while going to school (and Ashley, too, once she goes back in a few weeks), and their current school shutting down at the end of the semester...we are looking to move somewhere new. Because my mom lost her job, we are unable to take out a loan. Any money raised this time around will be used toward a down payment on a house, any medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, like different therapies, some home alterations to make it wheelchair friendly, possibly a car that makes it easier for my 4ft 9in mom to lift her in and out of, or even a service dog to be with Ashley if she falls out of her chair or drops her phone and can't contact us; any items and services to make Ashley's life easier, but also help her become more and more independent.
She's a small girl, with a big heart in an even bigger world. She is ready to stand against all obstacles that life throws at her, and remains faithful and joyful in God and His constant strength. We are eternally grateful that we get more birthdays, Christmases, movie nights, smiles, laughs, and Tik Tok videos from Ashley Faith (:
Please do not feel pressured to donate, just listen to her story as we come together to say that Enough is Enough. Gun violence is real, non-discriminatory, and our children fear it everyday. Many families aren't as lucky as ours; we get to raise money for things like Ashley's therapies while others are raising it for funeral costs. For all families and individuals affected by gun violence, we hear you and you are not alone. That is something that Ashley adamantly stands behind and will stand against anyone who says otherwise. Thank you so much for listening.
*To the first responders who were called, even if later cancelled, we would like to thank you over and over and over again for being ready to save the day, everyday, and especially that night. You are our family.
Richmond Firefighters 188, Richmond Fire Department Engine 63 & 68, Contra Costa Fire District Engine 69 & 70.
Organiser
Claire Parker
Organiser
El Sobrante, CA
