# Help Joziah Fight for His Life

My name is Tirzah, and I never imagined I would be creating a fundraiser for my child.

Our 17-year-old son, Joziah, is currently fighting for his life after contracting a severe Vibrio vulnificus infection, often referred to as a flesh-eating bacteria. What began as a simple scrape and a day spent swimming in local waters quickly turned into a medical nightmare that has changed our family's life overnight.

Joziah is autistic and has already endured multiple surgeries to remove infected tissue. He is currently receiving treatment at Studer Family Children's Hospital in Pensacola, where he remains under the care of an incredible team of doctors and specialists. He now faces a long road of recovery that includes wound care, a wound vac, ongoing monitoring, and additional medical procedures as doctors work to save his leg and protect his health.

Along the way, he has also experienced serious complications, including concerns involving his heart, episodes of rapid heart rate, fluid retention, and the physical and emotional toll that comes with battling such an aggressive infection.

As parents, watching your child suffer is heartbreaking. Sitting beside his hospital bed, listening to monitors, watching him endure pain, surgeries, and fear, is something no mother is ever prepared for.

Our family consists of nine people, and I am the primary provider. I own a small local spa, JaeKae Luxury Massage & Esthetics. Since Joziah's hospitalization, I have closed my massage schedule indefinitely so I can remain at the hospital with him. While there is nowhere else I would rather be than by my son's side, the reality is that our household expenses, rent, utilities, groceries, travel expenses, and medical costs continue while our primary source of income has come to a halt.

We are believing God for Joziah's complete healing and trusting Him through every step of this journey. If you feel led to help, whether through prayer, sharing our story, or making a donation, our family would be deeply grateful.

Most of all, we ask that you pray for Joziah.

Pray for healing.

Pray for strength.

Pray for wisdom for his medical team.

Pray for peace for our family.

Thank you for standing with us during one of the most difficult seasons of our lives. Every prayer, message, share, and act of kindness means more than words can express.

With gratitude,

Tirzah & Family