Jeffrey's Second Fight for Life
Donation protected
This is a family that has been through the ringer in the amount of time I have known them With a positive, upbeat energy and the strength of a thousand Lions they have overcome every obstacle that has been put in from of them.
Jeffrey is a 16 year old Junior at Harlem High School and on August 17, 2020 he was given the diagnosis of Leukemia. I realize that this with in itself is a big challenge but let me give you more background to their life to give you the full understanding of why this is such a blow to them.
I first Met Jeffrey, his mom Melissa, his twin brother Zachary, and their older brother Peyton in the Spring of 2007. It just happened to be the worst day of their life. I am a Paramedic and was on shift and responded the day they were involved in a horrific car crash that left Peyton a paraplegic at the age of 7, Jeffrey had a sheering brain injury that caused him to endure years of therapy to overcome the deficits which are very similar to those you would see in someone that has had a stroke. Melissa was severely injured, placed in a medical induced coma for a brain injury and spent the next year in rehab regaining her ability to function. Zachary was on the side of the car where the impact occurred and received injuries but was in much better shape then his siblings and mother. It truly was the worst day of their life and a memory that will live with me forever! Peyton and my daughter were the exact same age at the time of the crash and that hit very close to home for me. All the children were in the proper restraint devices for their ages. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This family has literally risen up to the challenge that fateful day handed them with optimism and positive attitudes. The kids have gone on to live normal, happy lives and enjoying all the activities that kids of their age should enjoy, with some adjustments to how they perform those activities. Melissa has never let them use their past as an excuse to not push forward. Melissa is one of the most amazing women I have ever met.
Melissa's brother passed away suddenly in 2018 and he was her protector and a huge supporter of her and her children which was devastating for the whole family. Melissa has been blessed though with fantastic family support and with the help of her GOAT - Greatest of all time Dad that pushed them through and keep moving on. Melissa's dad is her whole world and definitely the "man behind the curtain"!! He does what ever he can, when ever he can for his daughter and grandchildren as any parent would do. During this time he is driving 2 hours round trip daily to help Melissa and Jeffrey in Madison while Peyton and Zachary are at home holding down the fort.
Now they are thrown at them a diagnosis of Leukemia to a young man at the age of 16 when the only concern in Jeffrey’s life should be getting a license and job. Jeffrey has already overcome and endured so much in his 16 years, more than some adults. Melissa is unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the crash in 2007 but provides for her boys all that she can.
This family is going to need all the help they can get. Peyton is with Zachary in Illinois taking care of the home. Melissa is with Jeffrey in Madison while he goes through mass Chemo treatments. Once those are complete he can be released and then they will have to travel back and forth every other day for more Chemo.
They have a very long haul ahead of them. There will be medical bills, travel expenses, every day home bills and of course food bills and if you have ever seen late teen, early 20 year old men eat you know exactly what I am talking about.
If you can spare any amount that would be greatly appreciated. With all that is going on in the world today, this family doesn't need anything more to worry about. What a great way to show there are still good, selfless, carrying people in the world.
Thank you for reading.
Jeffery doing Chemo with a smile!!!
2008 A year after the accident. Melissa's first time seeing her boys since the crash happened.
April 26, 2020 Thirteen years earlier, to the day, their lives would be forever changed.
Jeffrey is a 16 year old Junior at Harlem High School and on August 17, 2020 he was given the diagnosis of Leukemia. I realize that this with in itself is a big challenge but let me give you more background to their life to give you the full understanding of why this is such a blow to them.
I first Met Jeffrey, his mom Melissa, his twin brother Zachary, and their older brother Peyton in the Spring of 2007. It just happened to be the worst day of their life. I am a Paramedic and was on shift and responded the day they were involved in a horrific car crash that left Peyton a paraplegic at the age of 7, Jeffrey had a sheering brain injury that caused him to endure years of therapy to overcome the deficits which are very similar to those you would see in someone that has had a stroke. Melissa was severely injured, placed in a medical induced coma for a brain injury and spent the next year in rehab regaining her ability to function. Zachary was on the side of the car where the impact occurred and received injuries but was in much better shape then his siblings and mother. It truly was the worst day of their life and a memory that will live with me forever! Peyton and my daughter were the exact same age at the time of the crash and that hit very close to home for me. All the children were in the proper restraint devices for their ages. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This family has literally risen up to the challenge that fateful day handed them with optimism and positive attitudes. The kids have gone on to live normal, happy lives and enjoying all the activities that kids of their age should enjoy, with some adjustments to how they perform those activities. Melissa has never let them use their past as an excuse to not push forward. Melissa is one of the most amazing women I have ever met.
Melissa's brother passed away suddenly in 2018 and he was her protector and a huge supporter of her and her children which was devastating for the whole family. Melissa has been blessed though with fantastic family support and with the help of her GOAT - Greatest of all time Dad that pushed them through and keep moving on. Melissa's dad is her whole world and definitely the "man behind the curtain"!! He does what ever he can, when ever he can for his daughter and grandchildren as any parent would do. During this time he is driving 2 hours round trip daily to help Melissa and Jeffrey in Madison while Peyton and Zachary are at home holding down the fort.
Now they are thrown at them a diagnosis of Leukemia to a young man at the age of 16 when the only concern in Jeffrey’s life should be getting a license and job. Jeffrey has already overcome and endured so much in his 16 years, more than some adults. Melissa is unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the crash in 2007 but provides for her boys all that she can.
This family is going to need all the help they can get. Peyton is with Zachary in Illinois taking care of the home. Melissa is with Jeffrey in Madison while he goes through mass Chemo treatments. Once those are complete he can be released and then they will have to travel back and forth every other day for more Chemo.
They have a very long haul ahead of them. There will be medical bills, travel expenses, every day home bills and of course food bills and if you have ever seen late teen, early 20 year old men eat you know exactly what I am talking about.
If you can spare any amount that would be greatly appreciated. With all that is going on in the world today, this family doesn't need anything more to worry about. What a great way to show there are still good, selfless, carrying people in the world.
Thank you for reading.
Jeffery doing Chemo with a smile!!!
2008 A year after the accident. Melissa's first time seeing her boys since the crash happened.
April 26, 2020 Thirteen years earlier, to the day, their lives would be forever changed.
Organiser
Hanne Reiger
Organiser
Machesney Park, IL