Support Riley Shanahan - Lissencephaly Warrior

Riley's Army we need your help!!

My name is Michelle and I am starting this fundraiser for my cousin Terry and his wife Shannon's beautiful son, Riley. Six-year-old Riley was born with a rare neurological disorder named Lissencephaly. Lissencephaly, also known as "smooth brain," is a rare, gene-linked brain malformation characterized by the absence of normal convolutions (folds) in the cerebral cortex. Riley has been hospitalized numerous times in the past and suffers from seizures related to his Lissencephaly.

Earlier this month, Riley was taken by ambulance from his school to Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. He is currently intubated in the PICU fighting a severe respiratory infection and will be in the hospital for quite some time. On Christmas Eve it took doctors 2 hours to place Riley's breathing tube.

Shannon's words:

"Riley is a very difficult person to intubate due to his chin being pushed back some. It took extra long, 3 anesthesiologists and a call to an ears nose and throat doctor to finally get the tube where it needed to be. He is sedated and resting. Letting this tube breathe for him. I am praying it lets his lungs heal and his body rest to get him back to his base line. I was fore warned he will be sedated for more than a few days to help get his body healthier. I have never been so scared in my entire life."

Needless to say this is going to be a long journey for the Shanahan Family as Riley's lungs continue to heal. Shannon explained that he is fully sedated so there is no risk of him fighting the ventilator or pulling the tube out. She also told me the next hurdle for Riley to overcome is being extubated when the doctors feel his lungs are ready. Extubation would be a surgical procedure and not done at the bedside because of how difficult it was to place the breathing tube initially.

Shannon is with him every day and stays at the nearby Ronald McDonald House while Dad is working and home taking care of Riley's two brothers and sister while they attend school.

If you've ever met Riley you know what a light he is to the world!! His smile is absolutely contagious and he is constantly amazing all who know him with his strength and will to fight... Riley's purpose does not go unnoticed!!

I am hoping with your help that we can lessen the financial stress they are facing and allow more peace of mind as they navigate this difficult path. Funds raised will support the family with the cost of travel, missed work, medical expenses, meals, groceries, etc.

If there's any group of people that I know can come together and support this family it's Riley's Army!! THANK YOU