Join Shelby's Fight Against Illness

Shelby’s Story

My daughter Shelby received a flu shot in Dec 2023. The next day, she had a 103.6 fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. After 2 doctor visits, 1 ER, and 3 different antibiotics, she was hospitalized on Jan. 7, 2024. After 3 hospitals, multiple doctors and tests, no one can stop it or find the source. Due to the illness, she has had 3 surgeries to repair her torn esophagus and drain the fluids accumulating in her abdomen around her organs. She has been discharged from the hospital 6 times only to return again with more problems.

Shelby has Williams Syndrome and is mentally 2.5 years old even though she is 28 years old. Before the flu shot, she was happy, outgoing, and loved to talk to everyone. After having a 108.8 fever in Jan., she is contracted and bedridden. In June, after her 3rd surgery, she got a tracheostomy and now cannot talk.

I have to be with her 24/7 to be her advocate with the medical staff, therefore I have not been able to work. My family helps but we still have gaps. I’m a teacher and my school year starts Aug. 1, 24. I have to go back to work to keep my health insurance, so I will need to hire a nurse aide to work at our home part-time.

I need to purchase a used handicapped van to transport her to doctor visits and to and from the hospital $10,000. Medicaid provided her a basic wheelchair but it hurts for her to sit in it and she slides out of the bottom. Custom wheelchair $5,000. Medical equipment and in-home needs for Shelby $5,000.

Any help, even the smallest amount, will relieve some of the worry and burden our family has been dealing with and let me concentrate on Shelby’s needs.

Thank you for reading and please keep my sweet girl in your prayers.