Hi everyone, I would like to introduce you to Kassidee Luhna Patterson or DeeDee as she is known to those around her. DeeDee just turned 3yrs old in May. She is both a big sister, a little sister, and the light of her parents' life. DeeDee is just as funny, vivacious, and mischievous as her little smile would lead you to believe. Tragically, on Sept 7, DeeDee suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her with only the right side of her brain miraculously unharmed. After being air lifted to University Hospital in San Antonio, she underwent a 3hr surgery to save her life. She was then placed into a medically induced coma for the next 72hrs. An external ventricular drain was put in place to help combat her building  intracranial pressure in an effort to protect the remaining right side of her brain. It has now been 6 days since she was admitted to the ICU and 3 days since being taken off the medication inducing her coma like state. Against the odds, this little fighter is still alive and breathing. There has been an uptick in EEG activity on the monitor. Her ventilator has shown periods of unassisted breathing. She has demonstrated both gag & cough reflexes and an elevated BP reaction to pain. All positive indicators that this sweet angel might just survive this horrible tragedy. That being said, DeeDee and her family are in for a long and uncertain road ahead. Mom (Heather) is a stay at home mom with a small side hustle sewing upcycled children's clothing in addition to being shop assistant at her husband's (Keith) auto repair shop. Both of these devastated parents are glued to their baby's side in the ICU. Money is in short supply and dwindling fast. I'm asking anyone who is willing and able to please donate to this little girl and her family. Help ease some of the worry of uncertainty that the future holds for this traumatized family as they put the shattered pieces of the life they once knew back together and learn to navigate a life they no longer recognize****

I will not be posting any post-accident pictures at this time as I don't think it appropriate to ask for such things from my shattered friend. I will, however, give updates as I get them. If, in the course of her recovery, her parents feel comfortable with sharing current photos of DeeDee I will happily and enthusiastically pass them along here. Everyone's thoughts, prayers, and positive vibes are greatly appreciated.