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Riyaan Ja’sir Shepherd — our strong soldier ❤️ 7/15/24 ♋️
️Name pronunciation (Ree-on)
As some of you may know, our birth experience was terrifying. My entire pregnancy was picture perfect, but when it came time to deliver, everything changed. Riyaan was born 9 pounds 1 ounce, and because he was so big, he became stuck in the birth canal. I pushed for over two hours, and during that time he began losing oxygen to his brain. The medical team made multiple errors during my induction and failed to take action when they should have. Because of this, Riyaan was diagnosed with Severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). This brain injury has led to a list of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Seizures, Muscle Spasms, Hypotonia, Hypertonia, and Oral Dysphagia. Oral dysphagia causes him to aspirate anything he eats or drinks, so he now has a G-tube. These conditions have caused global developmental delays, meaning he is not reaching milestones on time, or may not reach them at all. Since birth, Riyaan has had over 10 hospital stays, many lasting one to two weeks or more. He’s been admitted for seizures, feeding complications, and had two inpatient stays for intensive therapy. Over the summer he had 2 severe choking episodes due to his oral dysphagia. His oxygen has dropped as low as 15–20, and we have almost lost him twice. As parents, watching him go through this has been heartbreaking, but we continue to stay strong and fight alongside him.
At home, Riyaan receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention services. We are doing everything we can to give him the best life possible. Right now, one of our biggest needs is a specialized medical car seat that costs around $3,000. Riyaan’s choking episodes are unpredictable and dangerous, and this car seat is essential for his safety—especially when one of us are driving alone with him. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover this equipment. As Riyaan grows, there are many medical items, adaptive equipment, feeding supplies, and therapy tools that insurance will not pay for. These costs add up fast, and we simply need help providing him with what he needs to stay safe, supported, and comfortable.
We decided to create this GoFundMe to help cover medical equipment, feeding supplies, therapy needs, and the specialized car seat that Riyaan urgently requires. Every dollar will go directly toward his care. I know times are hard for everyone, and even sharing this means the world to us. If you’re able to give—no matter the amount—we are truly grateful. Your support helps us give Riyaan the safest, happiest life we can. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
— Davon, Jasmine & Riyaan ❤️
Jasmine cashapp-$Jasminerosemartinnnn venmo-$J4zmean
Davon cashapp- $BoBandz
️Name pronunciation (Ree-on)
As some of you may know, our birth experience was terrifying. My entire pregnancy was picture perfect, but when it came time to deliver, everything changed. Riyaan was born 9 pounds 1 ounce, and because he was so big, he became stuck in the birth canal. I pushed for over two hours, and during that time he began losing oxygen to his brain. The medical team made multiple errors during my induction and failed to take action when they should have. Because of this, Riyaan was diagnosed with Severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). This brain injury has led to a list of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Seizures, Muscle Spasms, Hypotonia, Hypertonia, and Oral Dysphagia. Oral dysphagia causes him to aspirate anything he eats or drinks, so he now has a G-tube. These conditions have caused global developmental delays, meaning he is not reaching milestones on time, or may not reach them at all. Since birth, Riyaan has had over 10 hospital stays, many lasting one to two weeks or more. He’s been admitted for seizures, feeding complications, and had two inpatient stays for intensive therapy. Over the summer he had 2 severe choking episodes due to his oral dysphagia. His oxygen has dropped as low as 15–20, and we have almost lost him twice. As parents, watching him go through this has been heartbreaking, but we continue to stay strong and fight alongside him.
At home, Riyaan receives physical therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention services. We are doing everything we can to give him the best life possible. Right now, one of our biggest needs is a specialized medical car seat that costs around $3,000. Riyaan’s choking episodes are unpredictable and dangerous, and this car seat is essential for his safety—especially when one of us are driving alone with him. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover this equipment. As Riyaan grows, there are many medical items, adaptive equipment, feeding supplies, and therapy tools that insurance will not pay for. These costs add up fast, and we simply need help providing him with what he needs to stay safe, supported, and comfortable.
We decided to create this GoFundMe to help cover medical equipment, feeding supplies, therapy needs, and the specialized car seat that Riyaan urgently requires. Every dollar will go directly toward his care. I know times are hard for everyone, and even sharing this means the world to us. If you’re able to give—no matter the amount—we are truly grateful. Your support helps us give Riyaan the safest, happiest life we can. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
— Davon, Jasmine & Riyaan ❤️
Jasmine cashapp-$Jasminerosemartinnnn venmo-$J4zmean
Davon cashapp- $BoBandz
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