For Jalen and his family...
Donation protected
On January 31st, 2018, a little before 9pm, 11 year old Jalen was shot in his home. All he did was go to the kitchen to get a quick snack before bed and in that moment, his whole life changed. The house was riddled with bullets and one struck him in his left arm, entered his chest, collapsed his lung, lodged in his spine and paralyzed him from the waist down. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-11-year-old-boy-shot-20180131-story.html)
This baby boy, a handsome, innocent, kindhearted child, is now laying in a hospital bed, tubes going in and coming out of him, crying out because of the pain he has in his back and chest. The bullet can't be taken out. He knows he is paralyzed, and he is severely depressed.
He wanted to be a paleontologist, travel the world to find dinosaurs bones, but he thinks he can't now. He says he has no dreams now. His family's hearts are broken. (Much of this information above was adapted from his mom, Judith Celio's, FB update on their family...)
I know this family because we flew them to Washington, D.C. last summer with our organization to stand up for Clean Air and children's health, because they care about the place they live, and what happens to it. Jalen lives in a neighborhood that is severely polluted by heavy industry, and he wanted to add his voice to the chorus protecting his neighborhood.
The family has to relocate. Additionally, they have to cover all the incidentals that come up when someone is in the hospital (parking, lunches, etc...). While he's in the hospital and after he comes home, mom and dad will have to take time off work, etc...to care for him, pay for a wheelchair, physical therapy, etc...not sure what his medical coverage is, but my research about trauma injuries shows there is A LOT that can come out of pocket.
At the very least, please hold this family in your prayers. If you have anything you can give, please do, and let me know if you have questions.
This baby boy, a handsome, innocent, kindhearted child, is now laying in a hospital bed, tubes going in and coming out of him, crying out because of the pain he has in his back and chest. The bullet can't be taken out. He knows he is paralyzed, and he is severely depressed.
He wanted to be a paleontologist, travel the world to find dinosaurs bones, but he thinks he can't now. He says he has no dreams now. His family's hearts are broken. (Much of this information above was adapted from his mom, Judith Celio's, FB update on their family...)
I know this family because we flew them to Washington, D.C. last summer with our organization to stand up for Clean Air and children's health, because they care about the place they live, and what happens to it. Jalen lives in a neighborhood that is severely polluted by heavy industry, and he wanted to add his voice to the chorus protecting his neighborhood.
The family has to relocate. Additionally, they have to cover all the incidentals that come up when someone is in the hospital (parking, lunches, etc...). While he's in the hospital and after he comes home, mom and dad will have to take time off work, etc...to care for him, pay for a wheelchair, physical therapy, etc...not sure what his medical coverage is, but my research about trauma injuries shows there is A LOT that can come out of pocket.
At the very least, please hold this family in your prayers. If you have anything you can give, please do, and let me know if you have questions.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Nichols
Organizer
Highland Park, IL
Judith Celio
Beneficiary
