My name is Jornesha, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my little sister, Demya. On June 30, 2025, our lives changed forever when Demya, who is just 11 years old, was shot and left paralyzed. Since then, every day has been a challenge as we adjust to her new needs and try to give her the best care possible. Demya means the world to me, and it breaks my heart to see her unable to do things on her own. Getting her to frequent doctor appointments in St. Louis has become incredibly difficult, and just leaving the house is a struggle.

We are a family of six, and Demya’s wheelchair takes up most of the backseat in our car, leaving room for only two of us. I also have a baby in a car seat, which makes transportation even more complicated. A wheelchair accessible van would make a huge difference for us. It would allow Demya to get out more often, make it easier for us to attend her appointments, and help our family travel together safely and comfortably. The funds raised will not only help us purchase a van, but also modify it to fit Demya’s specific wheelchair needs, so she can travel safely and comfortably wherever we go.

This event happened almost seven months ago, and it continues to take a big toll on our lives. I’m reaching out to our community for help—anything you can give will bring us closer to getting the van Demya needs. Your support would mean the world to our family and help us regain some sense of normalcy. Thank you for considering helping us on this journey.