Hi everyone, my name is Taylor and I am creating this GoFundMe to not only spread awareness but to help a family member in need.

On Wednesday morning, February 26th, my cousin, Kayla Pennica, and aunt, Tricia Pennica, were completely blindsided when Kayla unexpectedly fell completely numb from her hips to her toes. Scared and unsure, she was rushed to Palms West, and then quickly redirected to Joe DiMaggio in Ft. Lauderdale where she underwent many tests and was tentatively diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome or GBS, a rare disorder that affects about 6,000 people per year. GBS is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause weakness, numbness, or paralysis.

Once receiving the diagnosis, Kayla’s medical team quickly got to work, and she is on a long road to recovery. She is currently required to stay at Joe DiMaggio, receiving plasma transfusions every other day, along with antibiotics to treat an infection that was found in her spinal fluid. She is now also receiving PT and OT to help keep her body from stiffening and make sure there is an easier transition from hospital bed back to normal life. Kayla is a beautiful 16-year-old girl currently in 10th grade, and is so saddened by this horrible life-changing event. Kayla has a long way to go and is going to require substantial rehab following her medical treatments to retrain her body to stand, walk, and eventually run right out of that hospital!

UPDATE:

Hi everyone, first of all thank you so so much to everyone who has shared, donated and shown love these past couple of weeks it means the world!

Kayla is still fighting each and every day to get better, she continues OT and PT and they say she is doing very well and as very good patient!

Although originally presenting as a GBS patient, doctors have now shifted to believe that Kayla may have Transverse Myelitis, another very rare neurological disease very similar to GBS. The doctors are still awaiting test results and Kayla will undergo some new testing to get answers as to what is causing this! Each and every day is a fight to gain her strength and feeling back!

While the treatments appear to be working miracles, the medical bills, used gas, time spent away from work, and so much more is adding up. I am asking family and friends to help my aunt and cousin in this time of need. Any and all contribution will help aid in covering the costs needed to recover from this unfortunate circumstance and get them back to normal life.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I know this will mean the absolute world to them!