Assistance with Sonja’s Medical Expenses
Donation protected
That photo was taken on November 16, 2018 and it was last time that we saw Sonja free of pain, whole, and healthy. Sonja, her sister Attallah, and her cousin Lani were on their way to the Atlanta airport for their first overseas trip together. Girls Trip 2018 to Italy!! None of them had ever been.
Upon landing in Rome, the trip and Sonja's life started to take a scary turn. She complained of back pain. We all thought it was a pinched nerve. A cramped 12 hour flight and lifting suitcases can do that easily....or so we thought.
Within 48 hours, Sonja was in so much pain, she could not leave the hotel bed unassisted. Another 48 hours and she was hallucinating. The concierge doctor we had the hotel send to us gave her a shot to numb the pain and a muscle relaxer to help, but by the time we left Italy on 11/23/2018, Sonja had to be wheeled through the airport so she could get home.
A week or so later on 12/2/2018, Sonja was admitted to ICU and for the next few weeks we watched her fight for her life.
The final verdict was that she had contracted an MSSA. The infection took weeks to diagnose and had traveled so deep into her system that her skull was opened and pus and bacteria had to be washed from the surface of her brain. It was even in her bones.
Sonja is an elementary school teacher. She has been awarded the title, "Teacher of the Year", mentored other educators, and her students all love her. Teaching and helping others is the core of who she is. It always has been.
Through the years, she has been there for so many people. She has helped others selflessly, even when not even basic gratitude was reciprocated, never letting that discourage her from helping the next person in need.
Now, for what seems like the first time, Sonja is the one in need of help.
At this stage of her recovery, she cannot go back to her position and has lost the primary source of support for her family.
If you know Sonja, you know that very little does slow her down. That is why it is so important that we be there to help right now.
Prayer is welcome and that has been a large part of her forward movement in recovery. Unfortunately, now we have a need for financial support as well.
We need to raise enough money to help Sonja pay medical expenses as she continues her treatment and keep the basic needs met for her and her family. Any help is appreciated and needed.
Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Upon landing in Rome, the trip and Sonja's life started to take a scary turn. She complained of back pain. We all thought it was a pinched nerve. A cramped 12 hour flight and lifting suitcases can do that easily....or so we thought.
Within 48 hours, Sonja was in so much pain, she could not leave the hotel bed unassisted. Another 48 hours and she was hallucinating. The concierge doctor we had the hotel send to us gave her a shot to numb the pain and a muscle relaxer to help, but by the time we left Italy on 11/23/2018, Sonja had to be wheeled through the airport so she could get home.
A week or so later on 12/2/2018, Sonja was admitted to ICU and for the next few weeks we watched her fight for her life.
The final verdict was that she had contracted an MSSA. The infection took weeks to diagnose and had traveled so deep into her system that her skull was opened and pus and bacteria had to be washed from the surface of her brain. It was even in her bones.
Sonja is an elementary school teacher. She has been awarded the title, "Teacher of the Year", mentored other educators, and her students all love her. Teaching and helping others is the core of who she is. It always has been.
Through the years, she has been there for so many people. She has helped others selflessly, even when not even basic gratitude was reciprocated, never letting that discourage her from helping the next person in need.
Now, for what seems like the first time, Sonja is the one in need of help.
At this stage of her recovery, she cannot go back to her position and has lost the primary source of support for her family.
If you know Sonja, you know that very little does slow her down. That is why it is so important that we be there to help right now.
Prayer is welcome and that has been a large part of her forward movement in recovery. Unfortunately, now we have a need for financial support as well.
We need to raise enough money to help Sonja pay medical expenses as she continues her treatment and keep the basic needs met for her and her family. Any help is appreciated and needed.
Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Organizer
Attallah R. Bertrand-Rogers
Organizer
Alpharetta, GA