Help Sarah Care for Chaya Shira

On June 23, 2021, 22-year-old Chaya Shira was brought to the hospital emergency room in Riverside, California, in severe cardiac distress. By the time her mother, Sarah, arrived after a 2-hour drive from her home in Los Angeles, she came upon a scene no parent should ever have to see and questions about signing a DNR no parent should ever have to answer.

Since then, multiply disabled “Shira” has been in Intensive Care fighting for her life with severe pneumonia and sepsis fueled not only by fungus but also by two very rare aggressive bacteria. This, in addition to a damaged kidney that may still need to be removed, made her extremely sick. Over time, her condition worsened so significantly that she required a tracheostomy to connect her to a ventilator that is keeping her alive. While this procedure saved her life, it also puts her in a higher medical-need bracket and prevents her from returning to the homecare facility where she has lived for several years with intermediate nursing care from staff who adored her. Shira will have to be moved to a different care facility when she leaves the hospital.

The expenses are piling up sky high as Sarah is in the hospital each day,

living in motels since her home is too far away to go home daily. Sarah has had to cover the endless expenses of not living at home such as food, water, toiletries, and self-care items needed for her own minimal sanity. Sarah's back gave out from the stress, and while visits to a local chiropractor have been helpful, it adds to an already difficult financial burden. There is no telling how much longer Shira will require ICU care and, therefore, no telling how much longer Sarah will continue to be at her side in Riverside regardless of the hardship or the expense.

July 23rd marks exactly 31 days since this tornado began. YET, despite every imaginable odd, this day also brings the celebration of Shira’s 23rd Birthday! On this day, while in the hospital, we will celebrate not only the miracles that have paved her every step of life until now, but we will celebrate her strength, perseverance, determination, and fierce will to live. All of the tears that now roll down her cheeks scream that she wants out of here so that she can live her life to the fullest of her ability.

While discharge from the hospital is still a ways away, preparations for Shira’s new home must begin now. Moving Shira’s life from Riverside to hopefully an area closer to Sarah’s home will be costly. Whatever funds Sarah had budgeted for Shira’s monthly expenses of immune-boosting vitamins, supplements, better quality formula, alternative supportive therapies, seasonal clothing, personal and hygiene products have all been spent on motel rooms. And now, setting up Shira’s new home to be as comfortable as possible is another big expense on the horizon.

It has never been easy for Sarah to ask for help, but she knows this is about her sweet daughter and not about her. Please help raise the funds that Sarah needs to show Shira that her fight to stay alive was worth it; that while loss of her childhood home marks the closing of one door, that a new home can be the opening of the most unexpected window; that love, family, friendship, and joy await her! While this fundraiser has selected a specific goal, the expenses never end and certainly exceed any estimate that can be guessed from the hospital room. Sarah and Shira will be so deeply grateful for anything that you can contribute.

It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you for your support and for being a part of Chaya Shira’s Tribe! May health and blessing flourish upon you as the light of the Magic of Love always illuminate your way!