Otis Burns Covid Recovery Fund

For those that do not know Otis' story, well it's a long one. He called me back in August and said he had Covid. He had been visiting family in Hattiesburg, MS during his summer break from Northeastern University and had gotten it down there during the really bad outbreak over the summer. He went into the hospital early in August. He called me or texted every day he was there. We were sure he was going to be released but then things went south. He called me and said he was really struggling to breathe and the doctors were suggesting he be intubated and go on a vent. He was scared but was so sick he knew it was the right thing to do. We prayed, said I love you and good bye. That was August 26th a 105 days ago to be exact.

He has coded, lungs collapsed, chest tubes, doctors gave him little hope to survive, doctors called to say everyone needed to say good-bye and this happened over and over again, BUT GOD had a different plan. Otis is off the vent all the tubes are out and he is here with us! The day I saw his eyes open I just cried a good hard and ugly cry! I had just prepared myself for the worst for such a long long time.

But let me tell you this, his sister Asia has been by his side every single day he has been in there. She has texted me or called me to give me updates for one hundred and five days. Her fight and advocacy for him has been so inspiring. She texted me recently and told me this:

"For the longest time I have put off my dream of being able to be a nurse and nurture the sick. I would just tell myself that somehow I would just fail. Growing up how I have all you see is failure. But watching my brother lay here for what has now been 100 days fighting for his life while others around him are taking their last breaths I wondered what if I would have been that extra set of hands? I don't have a clue as to how to help Otis so I have made a leap of faith and am making the brave decision to conquer my fear and go to nursing school. I want to be able to help nurture Otis and others back to health. Failing is not an option! This is my calling and purpose!"

We are so proud of the steps Asia is taking to do whatever it takes to take care of her brother. She is working, going to school and participating in his rehab every single day. To say she has been exhausted is an understatement. His road to recovery is long. None of us know what the future will hold but we are praying hard for his full recovery. We face timed the other day and he mouthed I love you and smiled really big when he saw me. He has such a hard and long road ahead, as does Asia in caring for him!

The purpose of raising money is to help with the things Otis will need for rehab and to help Asia get some time off from work during the week to be able to do school work and care for her brother. Jimmy and I will make sure that it goes directly to these things and trust that our network of friends and believers will assist us in blessing them this Christmas. I am having faith and hope that Otis will be back home fully restored soon.

Thank you guys for praying with us for Otis! We are grateful for you and your faithful prayers!

Linda and Jimmy Shafer