Ayva's Amazing Perseverance #AyvasNewNorm

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I have created this fundraiser to help raise money for my lifelong friend Chris Phillips whose world was turned upside down just 3 months ago when his 2 daughters were involved in a fatal car accident that claimed the life of 9-year-old Bella and left 7-year-old Ayva critically injured and fighting for her life. As a result of this accident, the girl's mother Danielle also lost her life in the crash. Ayva was the only survivor. Any money raised will be used to ensure that Chris and his fiance Ashlee can remain by Ayva's side, hundreds of miles from home, and to aid by whatever means necessary in the long process of recovery that Ayva has ahead of her.

On October 25th, 2022, Danielle (mother) and both daughters Bella (9) and Ayva (7) were in a tragic car accident in Augusta, Georgia that ultimately resulted in the car bursting into flames, leaving only one sole survivor, Ayva Phillips. Ayva was airlifted to Shands Hospital after she was pulled from the burning car where she underwent emergency surgery on a severely broken femur to stabilize it with metal rods and to stop the rapid blood loss she was suffering due to that injury. It was unclear at that time and a long while after that if she would even survive any length of time due to the extent of injuries that her little body sustained during this horrible accident. A couple of days after surgery, she was flown to Shriners Hospital in Galveston, Texas where she still is and will be for a long time to receive the care that she needs.

Ayva sustained 4th-degree burns covering 75% of her body which has had detrimental effects on her entire little body and has cost her immensely. Without immediate medical intervention and prayer across the nation, this child without a doubt would not survived. Since the accident, Ayva has endured 15 surgeries, numerous blood transfusions, plastic surgeries and more skin grafting procedures than we can possibly count. Due to her age and the amount of growing that she still has to do, we have been informed that she will require surgery throughout her entire childhood and on up into her adulthood due to the limitations of skin grafts to stretch and the uncertainty of the bones adaptations to all the changes that have been required to save her life.

The surgeons have been as conservative as possible with what they have had to amputate and have only removed what has been absolutely necessary but because of the severity of the burns to her extremities, they were forced to amputate both legs from right below the knee and below and also her right arm from right below the elbow and below. They are working diligently to save her left fingers, hand and arm but whether they will be able to save it all on the left side is still uncertain at this time.

These are just speaking as to the physical aspect of what this precious child has endured but I really can not even touch on the emotional and mental aspect of what she has dealt with and will continue to for the rest of her life. Add on top of that the fact that she suddenly lost her mother and her big sister (her best friend) in such a tragic way and that she actually remembers the majority of the accident and you will surely understand what this child is up against. Despite all these things, Ayva continues to amaze us all. Sure she has her bad days but the amount of smiles, laughs and spunky personality that this child still puts out everyday is nothing short of remarkable. She is strong, brave, beautiful, smart, resillent, determined, loving and I could go on and on. She is our WARRIOR PRINCESS!!!

Behind this WARRIOR PRINCESS stands her Daddy and Ashlee who have been by her side since this accident happened that also took his sweet daughter Bella so early in her young life. He was unable to go to Bella's memorial service because he understood the importance of staying beside Ayva. She depends on them for comfort, strength and support and they fill those roles well, no matter how hard it gets. Both of them are currently with her around the clock at the hospital doing as much as they can hands on because thats what Ayva is more comfortable with. Having said that, they are neither one able to work a job right now and we dont know at this point when they will be able to. They also have other children who are being cared for by someone else during this time which adds to their load. Chris's truck has required more than $4,ooo in repairs since they have left for Texas and is still not a dependable ride but it is all they have they do what they have to in order to make it work. If not for the contributions to this fundraiser, we are unsure how they would have even done any of this but thanks to the generous donations, they have made it and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me personally. Thank you and God Bless

No matter the amount, any assistance that you may be able to provide to help this family will be greatly appreciated. God bless you

Any photos and/or information provided in this fundraiser were provided by and approved by the children's father, Chris prior to being published.