In September of 2024, Kenda was in her second week of college in California when she was mysteriously hospitalized; unable to walk unassisted, barely able to speak, and completely without the use of her right shoulder, arm and hand. She spent three really hard weeks in the hospital as her phenomenal team ran every possible test to determine what was happening. After the initial treatment failed, they tried plasmapheresis , which is a medical procedure that involves removing plasma from the blood, treating it, and then returning it to the body or replacing it with donor plasma. It is often used to treat various medical conditions, particularly autoimmune disorders, by removing harmful substances from the plasma. After the second treatment (of six), four days later, she could wiggle the tip of one finger.

Kenda had to learn to speak, walk, dress, feed herself, and write again. She started intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy, all of which she continued in the months following her release. She still struggles with fine motor skills, strength and energy, some facial droop, and mobility in her right leg, for which she wears a knee brace most days.

Aside from the fear of the unknown, Kenda had taken a gap year and had finally started on her journey towards a degree and her dream of pursuing a career in ministry. Her heart was shattered with it all coming to a dead stop so unexpectedly, with no guarantee of being able to continue to not only stay in school, but to live independently.

Upon returning home, the UW Neurology team diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis and began a high efficacy, aggressive treatment with infusions every six months. While she has regained a significant amount of strength back, she struggled to find summer work she can do effectively, as she cannot stand for long periods of time and tires extremely easily. It's been an extraordinarily challenging season as she learns to navigate her new limitations and how to life with them in her day-to-day life.

Kenda has always been fiercely independent, and while she had worked hard to save money for her first year, she is heading into her second at a deficit. We are all hoping to help as much as possible, and, several friends have asked how they can help so we decided to set this up for our Kenda girl. Our goal is to raise enough money for her to finish up her degree - all funds will go directly to her to cover tuition and housing costs.

Kenda began serving faithfully at church weekly at age eight and has always given of her time and talents to the benefit and blessing of others. Her heart is to serve in ministry; supporting and encouraging through, and in spite of, her own obstacles.

It's extremely humbling for her to ask for help, but we know that God has seasons of giving, and of receiving, and we know that He always provides. The total cost for the year will be $13,000.

Thank you in advance for blessing and believing in our girl!