Julia, a 16-year-old Mercy Flights Explorer with a huge heart and compassion to help her community needs our help! Julia is scheduled to have facial reconstruction surgery sometime in May due to being born with Micrognathia (the lower jaw is smaller than usual). With this diagnosis follows many others that cause excess brain fluid, seizures, autoimmunity, low-functioning thyroid, poor digestion, inability to absorb nutrients, muscle pain, vitiligo, poor vision, etc. This operation will not correct all of her conditions but will highly contribute to improving the symptoms that she faces not only physically but emotionally. After insurance, there will be an out-of-pocket responsibility to Julia's family for over $40,000.

Despite Julia's challenges, she is a burst of sunshine in the darkest of days. She does not let her conditions hold her back in academics or her very colorful life. Her confidence is an inspiration to fellow friends with conditions that could make them feel "less than". She leads with her spunky style and pure optimism.

As a close family friend and co-worker of Shayla, I have decided that any help that this community can provide for this family would be much appreciated. Improving not only the life of Julia but her family and others alike. A journey that displays that not only a healthy but a happy life is achievable regardless of any diagnosis.

Her mother Shayla will also have to provide a safe place to stay in Portland near OHSU if they can not obtain a room at the Ronald McDonald House. She will have travel expenses including transportation and food. Julia will need post-op care that requires Shayla to take 6-8 weeks off work with in mind that intermittent days will be expected as needed. They are a family of 3 and it would be a huge blessing if we would also help with living costs so that she can focus on Julia's recovery as well as taking care of her son. All funds raised will go directly to Shayla to help cover Julia's medical expenses and well as travel expenses.