Onyx’s Healing Journey with NMDA

I’m Cherise, and I’ve set up this GoFundMe on behalf of my daughter, Kaliyah (also known as Onyx), an 18-year-old who has been diagnosed with Anti NMDA Encephalitis. This rare autoimmune disorder targets brain receptors, leading to seizures, memory issues, speech and motor skill deterioration, among other health challenges.

Currently a Fashion Design major in her freshman year at Clark Atlanta University, Kaliyah balances her studies with a part-time job at a mall. Her symptoms began unexpectedly, with neither she, her friends, nor our family understanding the severity of her condition initially. Kaliyah, who has always been robust and healthy, especially enjoyed her high school years participating in theater and music, showcasing her remarkable vocal talent. Her transition to college life was full of enthusiasm and dreams, which were abruptly interrupted by this disease early into her second semester.

After a challenging two weeks involving admissions to four different hospitals, Kaliyah was fortunate to receive an early diagnosis. She has since begun a treatment regimen aimed at combating the disease. Nonetheless, she faces a long road to recovery, including physical therapy to regain her ability to walk and motor skills, as well as speech therapy to restore her voice.

We are reaching out for financial support to cover the necessary treatments and therapies that Kaliyah needs during her recovery. The suddenness of her condition has led me to pause my job to provide her constant care. We are immensely grateful for any financial assistance provided, which will be directly applied to her ongoing care.

Thank you sincerely for considering our plea and for any support you can extend to Kaliyah during this challenging period. Our family cherishes every gesture of kindness, holding onto love and hope as we navigate this journey together.

May you be blessed for your generosity.