It’s hard to imagine your mother not being there. Especially when she’s a strong, cheerful, motivating presence in your life. To go from being the one to kiss you goodnight to having to kiss her goodbye every time you visit her in an ICU room, is unbearable. Feeling absolutely helpless as the most caring, humble, selfless person you could ever meet is fighting a rare medical condition, and you can’t trade places with your own mother. The woman who brings up the funniest stories of her past to make you laugh when you’re on the verge of crying, who decorates for the holidays and birthdays to make the days more memorable and special, who will spend sleepless nights at your side if you’re ever in the hospital, and who manages a busy household, is not the invincible mom you thought she was any more. This is Mariann Cox. 

          For the past ten years, my mom has taken care of me as I battle a terminal condition, ALS (Lou Gehrigs’s Disease). It was terrifying to be diagnosed at age sixteen, but my mom has been with me every step of the way, through hospitalizations, medication changes and moments of sorrow.  She also takes care of my ninety-six year old grandma, who has Alzheimer’s and is in a wheelchair. Daily, without complaining and with a smile on her face, my mom feeds, bathes, dresses and encourages me and my grandma.

On January 30, 2017, the stress finally got to mom. As she was lifting me out of bed to start my day, she suffered a massive stroke. When taken to the local emergency room, the scans revealed that she is suffering from a rare condition called Moyamoya Disease, a disease in which certain arteries in the brain are constricted. Blood flow is blocked by the constriction, and also by blood clots. She was transferred to a specialty hospital, where she is now fighting for her life in the intensive care unit.  After a seven hour brain surgery, she is not responding like the doctors hoped she would and now needs intensive prayers and a second brain surgery.  

          Before she took care of me and my grandma, my mom still dedicated her life to helping others.  She is a veteran firefighter, paramedic and nurse.  In her free time, she used to volunteer for the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the California Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.).  My mom’s passion for taking care of both strangers and family has defined her life.

Now it’s our time to help her. Our family would deeply appreciate any prayers and donations as we continue to trust in the Lord during this difficult time. Donations are desperately needed A.S.A.P. to be used for medical expenses, utility bills, food, and looking for a round-the-clock caregiver for me and my grandma. Please help us bring this grandma of nine, mother of five, and beloved wife home. Thank you for your prayers and consideration.