Help Riley adjust to her new “normal”

***This page was initially called “Help Riley Fight Meningitis” —- It has since been changed to reflect her current status and needs going forward***




Anyone who has met Jt or Irisa are aware of what hardworking and loving parents they are — and know what a wonderful little firecracker of a 2 year old they’re raising. If you have not and are looking to support, here’s a brief synopsis:




Over the last few years they have worked multiple jobs and long hours in order to provide the best life for their daughter Riley. They’ve worked hours opposite to each other and have barely seen each other in passing all to make ends meet and give Riley all she needs.  Due to complications shortly after birth, Riley has endured many hospital stays, doctors’ visits and weeks of physical therapy. These things all resulted in Irisa and Jt taking time away from work in order to be there for their daughter.




Unfortunately due to her weakened Immune system, along with a rare condition called “Mondini Malformation” she contracted a rather aggressive strain of Bacterial Meningitis. Mondini Malformation in short is an abnormality in the inner ear. Typically the inner ear has 2 and 1/2 coils of cochlea where as Riley was born with 1 & 1/2.  Because of this her inner ear acts as an entry point to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord making her highly susceptible to meningitis.




She is currently at Golisano Children’s Hospital. She has been there since before Christmas and was originally in the ICU for over a week before being transferred to a different floor.  She has come a long way since first being admitted,however due to complications with the infection she lost her pulse and circulation in her toes, feet and eventually lower legs.




As of January 10th, Riley officially became an amputee. Riley had a surgical procedure to remove everything below the knee. This was medically necessary as the tissue below the knee was dead and bacteria presented a risk of being reintroduced to her heathy tissue. Surgeons will still need to monitor and check the progress on Riley’s lower limbs and make adjustments as time progresses to make sure what is there is healthy and healing properly.




Riley is a fighter and has been resilient through all of this- expressing when she’s mad, happy or indifferent. This will be an adjustment for her and her family, but Riley has a wonderful team of doctors, nurses and support professionals to help her learn and adjust to her new normal. She is strong willed and we have no doubts she will master the use of prosthetics in the future




I will update as I can on her status (as approved by her parents) and I thank anyone who can donate. Every little bit helps. The funds from this will be going towards making Riley’s home and means of transportation more handicap accessible, covering the cost of getting her to see specialists & therapists, and covering any unexpected expenses that might arise along the way.




Your support means so much to Riley and her family, and we’re all overwhelmed by the support shown by everyone who has reached out, donated, visited, brought meals, and prayed. Thank you all so much!




#RileyStrong