Friends of Cathy & Alessia helping medical bills

Hi, this 'go fund me' account has been set up by Jo and friends of Cathy and Alessia to help with sudden unexpected medical bills for Alessia. We want Cathy to be able to focus on supporting Alessia as she recovers, not worrying about medical expenses. We also want Cathy and Alessia to know they are loved and not alone.

Alessia needs your prayers now more than ever. They need our love, strength and faith poured out on them.

They also need those who have been looked after or inspired by Cathy to step up and show their support. Any donation is better than no donation.

This is a post from Cathy's facebook page: It was this that made us realise that they need our help and we need to step up and show our support.

'I have dedicated my life to teaching and helping people raise healthy families in the hopes of avoiding the medical merry-go-round with its dangerous side effects and cascade of interventions. And yet here we lay, momma and baby girl, in a hospital bed together for the third night, praying, crying, holding hands and trying to comfort my sweet baby who continues to remind everyone that WE DON’T DO THIS.

Nothing is routine. Her birth at home could have killed us both. She was the 1% of babies born as a true shoulder dystocia, turtle sign and all, weighing 10 pounds 3 ounces. Bringing her to Anthony’s orthodontist to determine when she’d be ready for braces - once again she was the 1% facing impaction of the second molar caused by the wisdom teeth.

The risks of delaying extraction were too great and we waited as long as we could. But 10 days after the extraction we had to drain an abscess. And 6 days after that we met her surgeon in the ER for CT scans that showed a large abscess growing towards her airway.

Transferred to children’s hospital for emergency surgery to clear the infection away from the airway; 33 hours later I asked for another scan which showed another abscess. They began preparing her last night for a “washout” - another procedure on this tiny little 11 year old, who is begging to NOT have another surgery. Around midnight we spoke with her nurses and made it clear we have questions that need to be answered so we can decide what is best for her little body.

I lay here awake all night, on guard, to be sure she’s comfortable, to hold her close and gently rub her when she whimpers, to talk her through the many tear soaked moments of pain, and breathe with her to calm her little body as she trembles in fear. Watching everyone and everything that comes near her. Praying first that she fights the infection and her body heals quickly and completely. Praying now that she leaves these memories behind and can be free again to be a child without THIS defining her life.

And amongst the late night moments of fear, prayer, wishing we’d never stepped into this medical world, and comforting her, thoughts have crept in. How can I, as a single mom with no insurance, trying so hard to give my children the happy and loving childhood they deserve, without a penny of child support or even the most basic assistance from their father - a con man who strategically dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars of his debt on my credit and literally laughs - even tonight in the hospital - that I’m stuck paying it every month - I wonder how will I pay for this? And in these moments I have to snap myself back because ultimately I KNOW I will ALWAYS do whatever it takes to protect my babies, and I have to trust that the Universe WILL provide.

For the last 2 1/2 years I’ve had one prayer.

Peace, calm and consideration for the children. Now I’m asking everyone that knows her, knows us, can relate in any way to PLEASE

Pray that Alessia fights the infection and that she continues to heal quickly and completely. Pray that she leaves these memories behind and her gentle loving energy carries her forward with an abundance of love, health and happiness'.

Cathy would not have set up this 'Go Fund Me' account herself. So we have done it for her. Please help show her and Alessia that they are not alone and YES the universe will provide and her friends and patients will help support her as we know that she has given so much to all of us.

Please know that we appreciate ANY donation - no amount is too small and will all help remove some of the stress.

Thank you so much. From Jo and Friends of Cathy and Alessia.