Donate to Ease Zakki's Medical Struggles

Zakki was born with the heart of a warrior and designed to survive. He has undergone 29 surgeries, 17 on his heart for his critical and complex congenital heart AND lung defects. He also had a huge MCA infarct stroke as a baby, and lives with hemiplegia which especially affects his ability to be safely independent.

Zakki requires medically trained care 24/7 - that has always been me, his mom, for 271,560+ blessed hours. He continues to survive his multiple medically fragile conditions, that have affected his nearly every organ system, because he has had excellent, compassionate, super supportive, loving kind pediatric care and my unwavering dedication to care for him 24/7 as his mom (without any outside help human or financial). I am grateful for Zakki's patience and perseverance (and my own) as we continue to navigate a medical journey with many curve balls.

He has bravely and steadfastly endured 9+ of his 29 surgeries (his last heart intervention Jan 2025), repeated severe illnesses that have required months and months of oxygen 24/7 and other frequent medical emergencies (massive hemoptysis, status seizures, adrenal crises et al) without the benefit of reliable transportation or a vehicle. (We had a beautiful disability accessible Chevy Express van until 2012 when we couldn't afford new brakes and family was unwilling to help.) We have been riding buses for 13 years even while he is recovering from surgeries, surviving life threatening illnesses and complications, and on oxygen 24/7 (including 10 weeks of oxygen due to RSV since January 2025). The bus routes we use are also being cut very soon.

Although I was told he would never walk or talk (due to his huge stroke), he walks - even with oxygen on, even when he is so exhausted from the nature of his medically fragile conditions -because buses are unreliable. When exhausted he sometimes trips outside on uneven surfaces and gets hurt, this frustrates him greatly.

Being a medical miracle and a survivor against all odds is hard work. As we face treating a current medical complication with his lungs (and stare down a mortality that reaches 50% over time in certain populations) we really need your help.

Zakki said to me "All I have done my whole life is survive, I just want to live like a normal person and have a car again. I'm so tired or having life be so hard...why doesn't family care?" It's sad because an extended support system is so important and he knows this, he feels this in his heart and soul.

We have asked family - although they have all been extremely financially blessed, they are unwilling to help (they don't respect full time 24/7 caregivers...they don't respect that Zakki requires 24/7 medically trained care and that it's always been me, his mom...they don't respect caring for God's angels here on earth).

One of Zakki's Doctors finally told us that there was no shame in starting a GoFundMe and ask friends and strangers for the help we need, if family was able but unwilling.

Although Zakki's story has helped raise upwards of 1M for a youth development organization in the past, and benefited many others, we have never had a fundraiser for him or for his critical medical needs.

We both serve as consultants for medical device, equipment and medications, but this only helps cover his most basic medical expenses. Consultant opportunities are not always available, and greatly depend upon Zakki's health. We also volunteer, as we are able, on both Youth and Parent Advisory Medical Councils.

We are thankful for the special souls that have walked alongside us and cheered us on over the years. Each kind word or act of kindness will never be forgotten.

Your donated funds to this GoFundMe will be utilized to secure a reliable vehicle, offset ongoing medical expenses (in the face of rising prices and tariffs), and work on fulfilling some of Zakki's bucket list. Having something to look forward to has always helped Zakki cope. The time is now, as he faces yet another life threatening medical marathon.

Please Donate and Share this campaign. You will be making the life of one of God's miracles so much easier. We deeply appreciate each of you and your loving kindness.

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