I am making this GoFundMe to support my dear friends Jacyln and Aubry Atwood and their daughter Elliott in hopes to help alleviate the financial commitment that comes with having a child unexpectedly diagnosed with rare medical conditions.

   I met Jaclyn and Aubry five years ago and have had the pleasure of watching their little love grow into such a creative, curious and lively child. The love my friends' share for their daughter often makes me tear up, and it's really not fair that a little one with such spirit should have to experience a disease with so much pain. Luckily, Elliott has two moms and a support system that would do anything for her and have so far been able to provide the best care possible. Yet, this has not come without sacrifices.

   Your donations would go towards the out of pocket expenses of traveling several hours from home, hotel stays if RMH is full, medical bills, medications, flights, supplements, meals, etc. Every amount helps so please help me support my friends with a donation or sharing the link to this fundraiser!

 Background:

   In March of 2021, Aubry and Jaclyn welcomed their baby girl, Elliott. There were some health issues for Elliott the first two years, but things escalated when Elliott turned two and was diagnosed with “failure to thrive,” due to her falling off the growth chart. Aubry and her wife were understandably upset... then… later… were told... actually… Elliott was fine. Just, small. Healthy, but small. They began Elliott on a weight gain supplement despite feeling like it wasn’t enough. To them it felt like they were just putting a bandaid over a bigger wound. They were right.

   This past January they noticed Elliott limping and a swollen ankle that wouldn't heal. After meeting with a pediatric podiatrist, their PCP, and two pediatric orthopedic doctors, they were urgently sent to Duke Children’s Hospital for testing. Within a week they traveled over 10 hours for Elliott’s care. In that time they were also catapulted into the medical world. Elliott was diagnosed with Enthesitis-related Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, with a high chance of Uveitis. This diagnosis came after many tests that confirmed it. She then was diagnosed with a rare for of Epilepsy that presented aggressively for them. With these conditions, Elliott is now on a low-dose chemotherapy medication, Zofran, a weekly injection called Enbrel, folic acid, iron, and other supplements.

The out of pocket expenses of traveling several hours from home one way, hotel stays if RMH is full, medical bills, flights, gas, medications, and meals have quickly added up and I know that any donation or sharing of this fundraiser would be greatly appreciated.