Help us bring Jada home!!

Jada wants to go home!
Razjada is a special 20-year-old young woman with a huge heart and a big smile. Back in January 2020, Jada was in a car accident with her Grandma. They were in the van that her special seat was in, as she has Cerebral Palsy. The accident totaled the van and took Jada’s special seat with it. She then had to struggle to get in and out of our other vehicle, which was a car, and it was not a good situation. This resulted in many falls and staying home when the weather was bad. Jada’s mobility started to decline, she was falling more and it was just a struggle to stay “on the go” in this situation.
In March, Jada got her new special seat but there was a learning process for her to use it. We all know what happened next in March of 2020. The lockdowns from Covid hit. Jada, who is a very social person, had to stop going to school, therapy, YMCA with her trainers, and probably the hardest was not going to church and being a part of choir and the activities she loved. Razjada was stuck at home. She lives at home with me and 2 younger brothers. The world seemed to shut down, including physical therapy; outpatient and in home. Jada developed lymphedema in both of her legs and feet. The lymphedema became worse and worse to the point that walking just a small distance became too painful and difficult for Jada.
Jada’s overall ability to do daily activities for herself was slipping away and we needed help. Due to pretty much everything still being shut down due to COVID, Jada’s doctors suggested that we try to find inpatient therapy where we could still possibly visit her. Her doctors and our family researched until we found a pediatric hospital in the St. Louis area that would take her for treatment and therapy.
Razjada was admitted on September 7th. They first addressed her lymphedema in her legs and feet. They were able to get that to a manageable level after about a month. Jada was then able to get up and get moving a small amount with braces during therapy. But because of the high risk of her falling, Jada was not allowed to get up in her room or transfer with staff. She was kept in the wheelchair except for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. The family knew that once she was up and moving she would gain strength but if kept in a wheelchair she would lose what ability she had to walk. She had never been in a wheelchair except for long distances.
The family had many meetings with physicans, therapy and staff asking they get her up in her room and throughout the day but the hospital said they couldn’t because it wasn’t safe.
She was getting PT 5 days a week, but now due to insurance it’s only 3 days and OT 2 days. As anyone can imagine, Jada is significantly weaker than she was at this point last year, in spite of everything that was and should be “professionally” performed. The time has come for Jada to come home. SHE WANTS TO COME HOME AND WE WANT HER TO. A group home is not an option right now with the lockdowns because family cannot visit inside to determine if it’s the appropriate place or check on her. After 3 months of researching and contacting the facilities in Illinois there are no appropriate places for her needs. Waiting lists are long in Illinois. We just have to get her home where we can take care of her and work with her. That is where this fundraiser comes in. Our family is hard-working and I’m a single mom of 3, Jada being the oldest. I am a small business owner of Captured by Stephanie Photography in Decatur IL. Razjada has funding for personal support workers to assist with some care but there are many things that our home needs in order for her to get home and get better. She does not need to just come home; she needs to come home and get stronger. Once Macon Resources (her day program) is open again she will then be able to go there for day training and socialization.
We are in the process of contacting agencies to possibly help locate some of the medical supplies and equipment that she needs to go home, but there will be some things she will need and modifications to the home that will still be needed. Division of Specialized Care for Children in Champaign may also give some assistance, but there will be significant out of pocket expenses associated with getting Jada home and STRONGER!

• THE BATHROOM. Jada will be in a wheelchair with movement by a Hoyer lift until she is strong enough to walk and transfer on her own. The bathroom is not set up for this. The doorway to the shower will need to be widened and she will need a roll-in shower plus a roll-in shower chair.
• Hoyer-Lift and sling.
• Certain doorways widened in the home.
• Wheelchair ramp into the house. Either through the garage or possibly the front where
bushes will need removed. A ramp for either the garage or front door.
• Hospital bed with siderails (electric) so she can lower and raise her head as needed.
• Stairlift/lift
• Wheelchair Van
• Other items that may be needed for Jada to gain back her strength and independence!

We are in the process of getting bids from ADA contractors to determine costs and the best way to proceed for Razjada’s needs. I will gladly supply her care coordinator’s name at the hospital, our pastors, friends, doctor, teachers or other people if you need to verify this need.
All donations will go toward these needs for Jada to get her stronger and get her independence back. If you know of an agency or group that may help get Jada the items needed, please let me know. And please share Jada’s story! Thank you for taking the time to read and if you cannot donate right now...share, share, share!! Thanks again!