Help Ava have a BETTER chance at LIFE!

Hi, my name is Stacey and I’m fundraising funds for my sweet little girl, Ava. She was born at 26 weeks gestation. She has fought every day since she was born surviving 6 weeks in my belly without any fluid. Shortly after birth she developed the worst type of brain bleeds leaving her with global brain damage, hydrocephalus, quadriplegic cerebral palsy and uncontrolled epilepsy. Many days we didn’t think we were going to bring her home and we still have hospital stays with those exact same worries. Unfortunately, this has become our life. Her hydrocephalus is very complicated with more than 7 cysts in her brain. Her cerebellum is barely visible on MRI scans and to add to this complicated situation she has two shunts draining the extra fluid from her brain into her belly. Ava has had many seizures that have lasted 2-3 hours long or days with over 20 seizures lasting minutes many requiring oxygen. She is just 4 years old but has had 14 complex brain surgeries, 5 medically induced comas, lung surgery to remove one of her lobes, hundreds of days in the PICU, thousands of pokes, and many other procedures. Her most recent stay was due to her 3rd brain infection which required several rounds of antibiotics during a 8-week stay in the PICU with drains coming out of her brain, draining the fluid into bags next to her bed. I cannot describe the nightmare we live every day. Despite all this and the fact that she still cant sit, stand, talk or walk, she is determined to smile through all of the challenges life throws at her. She is a true miracle! She is loved! She is JOY!

 

We are fundraising to give Ava a better chance at life, to see her communicate with her brother and sister, to see her pick up a toy and play, to see her feed herself, sit and maybe even walk one day. We have a very busy 2022. We have scheduled 3 long intensives in another state, stem cells transfusions, as well as unconventional treatment methods, such as ABM and Vojta therapies that are not covered by insurance yet cost hundreds of dollars an hour. As parents we are committed to doing everything we can to witness a miracle and hope you join us on this journey by helping us raise funds for our tough cookie and true miracle.

 

We appreciate all the support, love, prayers and positive thoughts! Without the support of family, friends and complete strangers we wouldn’t be here today. You all give us strength and hope when we need it most! May you and your day be truly blessed. We know we are!

 

Thank you from the bottom of my worried mama heart,

Stacey Mealy