Empower Rischa's Medical Journey!

I am Rischa's youngest daughter, please see the description related to our GoFundMe efforts constructed by my mother below. Blessings to you and yours. -Alana Slade

Hello Go Fund Me Community. My name is Rischa Ann Williams-Slade. In June of this year, I was walking around the Suisun City waterfront. When I awoke the next day, I lost complete mobility of my legs and feet. After three visits to the emergency room, I was finally admitted to the hospital. I am paralyzed from my upper hips down. Essentially, I am unable to walk and the chances of that changing are minimal.

After two weeks of tests, including multiple MRI'S and CT scans, I have been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis.This is quite rare - 1500 cases in the entire US last year and it generally affects younger people. Two treatments were administered in hopes that the symptoms would subside and I would regain my ability to walk. The treatment included: placement of a port in my neck to remove blood plasma (7 treatments) and the introduction of antibodies into my system in hopes of killing off my antibodies that are attacking me. Unfortunately, neither treatments worked and I am now in acute rehab with an upcoming transition to a board and care home. The goal is for me to continue to gain enough strength in my upper body to live independently and learn how to take care of myself in my new condition.

I retired from my long time work at Solano Community College as a student advisor 1 year ago and after recovering from triple fusion spinal surgery last spring have been embracing retirement with family and friends - until this situation arose.

With this change in my life, I have substantially less access to the medical coverage and insurance that I once had when gainfully employed. I have opened this account to assist me with my medical bills that are not covered by my health insurance and to assist my family in managing the various bills that continue to come in through this process.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any amount that you can give will be helpful and greatly appreciated.