From Jesse and Sarah

Thank you for your prayers for our spunky little 7 year-old Annie. We are still by her side in the hospital at CHOR (Children’s Hospital of Richmond in the VCU Health System). We will be transferring to Children's Hospital of King's Daughter Monday. They are taking good care of her. She has been diagnosed with Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome, which is a neurological disorder that occurs about 1 in 5 million people. The doctors believe that she got a viral infection and then her immune system over-responded in fighting it off, going after not only the infection but attacking good things in her body as well. As a result, she has pain all over her body and has random muscle jerks/twitches in her face and limbs. She has lost her ability to speak and she has lost her ability to walk. This has been a very tough thing for us to watch our daughter go through. The good news is her brain still works fine, she can communicate through writing, and her arms and hands work properly, though sometimes weak and fatigued. She loves rolling herself around in the wheelchair.

We appreciate all the prayers and the help many of you have been to us already and stay tuned for more ways that you could possibly assist.

While we don't know the final bills at this point, these funds will help cover Annie's medical related expenses, such as medical costs not covered by insurance, adaptations to our home for wheelchair accessibility, travel costs for inpatient stay in Norfolk and a neuro specialist in D.C., caregiving costs, and other related expenses. We love you all and thank you for your prayers, care, and support.