Support for Jubilee Pridham

This GoFundMe campaign has been created to rally support for our beloved friend and family member facing an extremely serious and rare health crisis in Bordeaux, France.

On the first day of her much-anticipated trip to France and Spain, Jubilee was infected with a rare botulism toxin during her first meal of house-made preserved sardines at a popular restaurant. She woke up to double vision, difficulty breathing, and swallowing the next morning. Her condition then deteriorated rapidly, and she was brought to the hospital by ambulance. By then, she had lost the ability to see, speak, and move her body. Her respiratory distress was so severe that she was placed on a ventilator as she could no longer breathe independently. She was admitted to the ICU with only the faint movement of her fingers and toes due to severe paralysis.

Botulism takes a heavy toll on the human body. This rare and potentially lethal bacterial toxin disrupts the functioning of nerves, leading to severe muscle weakness and paralysis. In this tragic incident, Jubilee was one of the first to fall ill. Soon after, more than a dozen others were diagnosed with the same botulism poisoning. News outlets reported that as many as 25 people may have been affected after dining at the same restaurant. Its rapid onset in Jubilee's case was particularly hard on her body as she suffered prolonged exposure. After 72 hours, she received a lifesaving dose of antitoxin, which halted the advancement of the botulism toxin.

Jubilee's family immediately rushed from Canada to France to be by her side while she received the required around-the-clock care to keep her alive. This severe health crisis has thrust her into a fight to regain her life. Her health insurance has covered the cost of her hospital stay thus far; it does not, however, extend to the unknowable cost and timeline of her recovery and rehabilitation. Jubilee will not be able to work for the foreseeable future, and in addition to her recovery costs, she also has everyday financial responsibilities. At this time, we are uncertain as to the financial burden this will have on her and her family.

Jubilee's life has been an example of kindness and generosity. She has touched countless lives while working in the Toronto restaurant community and amongst her friends. She is the person who consistently looks out for everyone in her circle and the community beyond. If you know her, you know she loves you. She feeds you, listens to you, checks in with you and treats you with empathy, intention and care. Even during the most challenging times, Jubilee remains grateful and encourages others to adopt the same perspective.

Her journey to recovery will be long and arduous as she struggles to regain the ability to speak, eat, walk and build the strength to function in her everyday life. The first step in Jubilee's recovery is to breathe on her own, without the aid of a ventilator.

In light of the immense impact she's had on the lives of those around her, we would greatly appreciate any assistance from those who can contribute to her care and recovery.

Your love, support, donations, and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

The Pridham and Sostomi Families