On July 10, 2021 Makayla was driving, on her way to work, and was caught in a crossfire. Shortly after I got a call that my daughter had been shot in the head and was in emergency surgery...it was the worse moment of my life. Thanks to her neurosurgeon and the medical staff, Makayla survived. The first surgery that she received is called a craniotomy. Since the bullet went in the right side of her head, that part of her skull was removed to allow for swelling to occur. Makayla was in the hospital for over a month. At first she could not move her left side at all and we were not sure if she could see or hear clearly. Luckily she regained most of her mobility but she has lost her left peripheral vision and her left side is still weak.

 

She recently had her second surgery, a cranioplasty. With this surgery a prosthetic skull was put in her head. This hospital stay was not as bad as the first although there were some complications. Makayla had two seizures and difficulty adjusting. Aside from the surgeries Makayla takes intensive therapy. At first she was in-patient and now she does out-patient therapy three times a week. She is currently in occupational, speech, and physical. She mainly works on her fine motor skills; she can't write (she is left handed), she can't tie her shoes, ect. She also works on walking and strengthening her hip muscles; Makayla is a track runner and has made it to Nationals 3 times. She wants to be able to run again.

 

These funds will help with medical and living expenses during this process. We have had a lot of support from family and friends as I have had to be out of work since this occurred. Makayla needs 24 hour care and supervision. Anything will help. Our family thanks you in advance.