Damani's Flight

Update:  Before the Covid-19 epidemic break-out, I had been searching to help Damani move forward. The epidemic halted so much for Damani. I was very afraid to move him ANYWHERE because the Covid-19 was in so many hospitals and facilities. I just prayed that his facility continued to keep him safe, which they did do. Me (his mother), Grandmother Yolanda, Damani's maternal grandparents, brother and other family members were not allowed to visit him in his facility due to the Covid crisis. THIS HURT!!! Damani has never been without his family 's touch for such a long period of time. Later, we were able to see and speak to him by way of facetime. It helped some. Later, his grandmother Yolanda and I were able to visit for 30 minutes a week. Damani, thru his hurt facial expressions and turning toward us , as they took him away after our visitation was over, told me how much he needed me and his family. I can never forget the longing he showed for me!!! My heart still drops when thinking of that moment...

On November 17th, 2020, while headed home from work, I received a devastating phone call saying that Damani was found UNRESPONSIVE!! NO HEARTBEAT!!! They nursing staff got Damani back! The medics arrived. Damani coded before they got him out of the building! They got him back!!! I arrived at the emergency room and Damani was still able to move but not as alert!!! He still does things on command but he needs some therapy from the BEST!!! I have found a place in Chicago called The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab that can help him but It's gonna take a lot of financial help!! Ill have to have transportation to get him there and for me to remain there with him. I'll have to leave my home for quite a while. I'm still in the process of trying to get Damani into the Hyperbaric Chamber!!!

I still have monthly financial duties at home, as well. I desperately need the

financial help to get Damani to his best!!! Thank you all for whatever you can give!❤❤❤❤

Damani's Mom,

Renita James

(FB: Damani's Flight)

Original Story:   On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, Damani James, a graduating senior from DeQuincy, LA, had a drowning accident on Calcasieu River while spending the day with his classmates.   He went into the river and did not come back up! 

911 was called - the diver located and pulled Damani out of appx. 25 feet of water.  By this time, he had been submerged for appx. 30 minutes.  He was exposed to aqua thermalization due to the cold temperature of the water.  The dept and temperature of the water he was found in caused his body to go into a state of "diver's reflex", which allows the body to slow it's use of oxygen by 50% - pumping only to vital organs!  The diver revived him and he was immediately transported to St. Patrick's hospital in Lake Charles.  

At the hospital, Damani was put into a state of paralysis so that he would not fight the treatment.  And, over the next couple of days, his body was slowly brought back to it's normal temperature.  He was removed from the paralysis state this morning.  This afternoon, an EEG was performed to determine his brain activity.

This is a very difficult time for Damani's family!!!  This is a long, frightening process and they do not want to leave his side.   There are so many expenses they are now facing - food, gas to and from the hospital, household bills, medical expenses, etc.  Please make a donation to help make things a little easier for the James family - so that they can put all of their focus and energy into Damani and his recovery.  Any burden we can help remove from their shoulders will make a difference!!!  

If you would like to donate in other ways, items such as gift cards and gas cards would be a wonderful way to help!  

The James family are grateful for all the support and prayers that this community has offered and will continue to offer!  Please continue to keep this wonderful family in your thoughts and prayers, God bless you!