Help with Aden Maynard's Medical Expenses

My name is Katie Coleman and I am Adam's cousin. I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Adam + Jessica Maynard to assist with the ever-growing medical expenses for their 9 year old son, Aden.

Aden is currently hospitalized at CCMC and was just recently diagnosed with a significantly rare medical disorder, NMDA Receptor Antibody Encephalitis. This diagnosis was finally confirmed from his lumbar puncture results following a very long 15 day wait period. He is unable to speak, swallow, stand, or walk at this time. He is intermittently responsive throughout his days, sometimes able to hold the hands of his family members, maintain brief eye contact with them, and shake his head yes or no in response to simple questions. We consider it a good, good day when we see our boy grace us with his goofy smile.

As Aden's story is quite extensive and changes hour by hour, so I have broken it down the best I can to explain what Aden and his family have endured , and continue to endure, since February 22, 2024.

February 22: Aden experienced his first seizure while at school and was transported to Yale, where he was admitted overnight. He was discharged home the next day as it could not be confirmed that he was definitely having seizure activity.

February 27- March 2: Experienced 2 more seizures at school; transported back to Yale. His initial brain MRI scan came back normal. However his EEG showed slowing in the right side of his brain. While at Yale, he experienced 2 more seizures on the 29th and was diagnosed with Focal Epilsey. He was discharged home on March 2nd with daily medication (Keppra) to help control the seizures.

March 3-5: Aden lost all mobility and function of his left arm and hand. He was no longer able to functionally grasp items and was unable to keep his arm straight. The family thought it was a side effect following his seizures. He continued to get worse, with increased extreme anxious behaviors and slight fever present for two days.

March 6-7: Family decided to bring him to CCMC as he started vomiting that morning. On the way to the hospital, he started experiencing hallucinations, which quickly escalated to other behavioral changes, such as agitation and rage. He was admitted to CCMC, where he had an additional EEG and they completed a lumbar puncture on March 7th. The lumbar puncture's immediate results came back with significantly elevated white blood count, with more conclusive results to be confirmed in 10-14 days.

March 7 Evening: CCMC team began treating him for suspected encephalitis (unconfirmed at this time). They started treating him for encephalitis while waiting for the spinal tap results. He was given a high dosage of steroids for the next 5 days, in which he did not respond to the treatment.

March 10-15: Aden was then put on the second treatment, called IVIG. He tolerated the first two sessions well, however on the 3rd day of IVIG treatment, Aden had a fever and increased blood pressure, forcing the team to make the decision to pause treatment. Aden was having a rare reaction to this treatment (occurs in 1.5 in every million), causing his red blood cells to further break down and he became anemic. During this time, Aden stopped walking, talking, and swallowing, and has still not recovered these imperative functional skills back. Aden was placed on an NG tube to receive formula, but was vomiting and has lost approximately 10 lbs since his arrival to CCMC. He was able to finish up 2 additional sessions of IVIG, but this will no longer be a treatment option going forward.

March 16: Aden's hemoglobin dropped dangerously low, indicating the need for a blood transfusion so he did not go into shock. This was most likely due to the combination of him losing a significant amount of weight paired with the rare complications while receiving the IVIG treatment.

March 19: Aden went into the OR to have a PICC line placed in his arm (to begin nutrition to be given through his veins) and Central line in his neck to begin his third line of defense: Plasmapheresis. This treatment is plasma exchange to remove harmful antibodies from his blood. This is done every other day for 1 hour, for a total of 5-10 treatments.

Currently: Aden is receiving plasmapheresis treatment. He is still not able speak, walk, or swallow. The team will be adding a new treatment in the next few days.

What does the future hold for Aden?

The CCMC team is working hard on finding the treatment regime that Aden will respond to. The family is taking it hour by hour, day by day. We do know that Aden will be going to a long term rehabilitation facility to receive occupational, physical, and speech therapy once he is stable enough to be discharged from CCMC. This rehab will cost the family $2000-3000 per day, which is out of pocket.

At this time, Jess and Adam are taking turns staying with Aden so he has someone with him around the clock. Adam is still leaving to work to handle his jobs as he is self-employed, and Jess is able to work virtually. However as one can assume, there is a monumental financial burden on the Maynard family as Aden's medical bills continue to rise significantly every day.

We would greatly appreciate:

-any monetary donations (via this GoFundMe, checks written out to Jessica Maynard, or cash)

-sharing Aden's story and this GoFundMe page on your social media platforms

-all of your prayers.

It certainly takes a village, and we are eternally grateful for all of your support.