Greetings Everyone - I am LaLa, DiAnte’s “Toolie” grandmom. You may not know, our baby boy has been very ill over the past 3-4 weeks. So much so that his parents were concerned and didn’t know what the outcome would be. Nevertheless, they kept their faith in God and asked for prayer from friends and family.

DiAnte has spent weeks in pediatric ICU. His diagnosis is very rare and honestly, the doctors at this hospital have not treated anyone with this illness before. When I tell you he’s been through so many tests, so many probes, I’m so proud of him for the strength that he has shown during this time.

As a mother and now grandmother, it literally is the scariest thing that I’ve ever been through. To see his little body so sick and going through so much, it made us all feel very helpless.

We all stay by his bedside night and day. He has never been alone. Family has flown in from the East Coast just to show our support for DiAnte, his parents, and siblings.

Toolie has come a long way from where he started. He’s getting better and better every day. He currently has progressed to the pediatric unit requiring less care. It is still uncertain when he will be able to come home. The doctors have figured he’d be there for quite some time. It’s hard to tell. We just pray each day that he gets closer to his normal self.

I have come on behalf of his parents, asking for your generosity to show up in a time like this, when they really need you - us. His dad has not been back to work since he was admitted to ICU. His mother has only worked a few days since his admission.

I don’t know if any of you guys have been through this, but it’s expensive driving back and forth to the hospital in a different city a few times a day. They still have two daughters to care for during this time. And of course, the medical bills have already started rolling in, which is causing them a little anxiety. I’ve been trying to encourage them not worry about the bills, but that’s easy to say because, the bills are not in my name.

Gas is expensive in California; everything is expensive in California. Buying food for a family of five, 2 to 3 times a day adds up very quickly.

I’m asking if you’re able to contribute at all, please do. No amount is too small. Dee and Key-Key (Shawnia) will appreciate each and every amount donated on their family’s behalf. Please share with others as this story is not over.

I have been documenting everything from the beginning, and I will share everything once DiAnte is home with his family. I have shared a few pictures just to show you where he started and where he is now. God is Great!

Continue to lift them up in your thoughts and prayers. This is Toolie’s testimony and I will tell his story, because the doctors do not believe he will remember any of this. We pray that he doesn’t.

Thank you so much, in advance, for your generous contributions. The goal is $6500; however, it says that it will start at $4500. This is my first time doing this, and I didn’t want you guys to think I was pulling a fast one. lol

God bless you!