March 21, 2024 **We're back with Updates!**
As a novice fundraiser, I heard from many friends and family that I 'closed' this page too early! Not just for the donation goal, but because all want to know how Shareef Ali and family are doing while he continues to recover.
I will continue to add updates to this page, so check back periodically as 'Little' continues to heal and return to life as an amazing 5 year old.
Health wise, he is doing great. We are caring for his new skin with daily dressings, compression, and multiple layers of moisturizer throughout the day. He is learning to accept his skin and helps to care for the friction blisters that rise out of nowhere - if you ask us! He works hard at his arm exercises to stretch the skin grafts on the inside of his arm. His left arm has been a constant issue as it continues to rest at a 160 degree angle and we need it at 180. He wears his arm brace all day now to help keep it extended and the skin stretched.
Because of everyone's generosity, his family has been with him everyday since the accident. Your support continues to allow his Mom and I to focus on his care and wellbeing. Many days are spent encouraging, consoling, and playing with Shareef Ali. We thank you very much for the ability to do so without the worry of a financial burden.
We all agreed, he needed to go back to school and be with his friends - his own community. The mind of a 5 year old is very busy and the word "Why?" is used constantly. This week Little returned to school for half days until he regains his strength and stamina. When he entered the classroom, the excitement and welcome back cheers from his friends could be heard down the hall. Little's face had a smile and sparkle in his eye that we haven't seen for a long time! They all were overjoyed to be together again.
We continue to adjust for Little's school day and recovery. It is all hands on deck and we all enjoy our time spent with him as he continues to teach us about his needs and our selves.
Stay tuned for more 'Little' updates in the coming weeks ~Stefannie & Family
Feb 28, 2024 **UPDATE***
We appreciate all of your support, generosity, well wishes, and blessings for Shareef Ali 'Little' and his family. Since the accident on Dec. 29, the outpouring of our community has been amazing!
I am very pleased to report that 'Little' was released from Regions on 2/26 and he is very happy to be home with his mom and brother. He couldn't wait to see his G'Papa Cel!
He continues to heal and the threat of infection is minimal. With continued care, he will soon be able to return to school with modified activities. He has learned to care for his 'new skin' and hearing him confidently share his story to others tells us that he is more than ready to resume life as a kindergartner.
In the photo below, he is leaving a note for his new friend Max, that is also in the burn center, that the shower room is not a scary place.
We give our highest regards and thanks to the huge team at Regions that cared for us. We met the most special people during this time. Everyone from the nurses to the Child Life Coach, surgeons, doctors, receptionists, administrators, and even the parking attendant helped to heal Shareef and his family everyday. Thank you all very much!!
We continue to heal and recover. ~Stefannie T.
Feb 19, 2024 *Update*
WoW!! It is shocking to see that the last update was two weeks ago. Shareef and the family have experienced a lot and I am sad to share that we are back at Regions Burn Unit as he was re-admitted after one week home.
The skin donor site on his back (the largest) was not healing properly and the threat of an infection was present. After a clinic visit, the surgeons were calling and he was scheduled to meet them immediately in the operating room to remedy the issue. After a lot of discussion, Shareef received a skin graft to his back to promote healing.
Yes, the docs used a new skin donor site on the back of his thigh to graft to one of his original skin donor sites. Leaving his back to try and heal on its own any longer was not a good idea as infection would surely set in and create havoc.
So, here we are two weeks later and he continues to heal in all areas. His skin grafts are looking great. The feelings from the damaged nerve endings in his back continued to be a major issue as they caused extreme discomfort for Shareef and the existing plan of action did not give him any long term relief. Dr. MiMa found a solution with a common drug used for burn patients and it has worked amazingly on blocking those feelings. Allowing Shareef to become more in control of resolving a need to suppress an itch or to relax until a bad feeling from his nerves passed.
Today, he ventured into the shower room for the removal of the bandage on his new skin donor site and the cleaning of all areas. Moving past his apprehension and with the support of his child life worker and the nursing team, he came out of the room full of confidence with all new dressings.
At this time, it is not known how long he will stay in the hospital. His entire medical team and family agrees that he will not leave until all areas are healed and he will have a successful recovery and able to enjoy being a 5 year old again. We thank you all for your support and continued well wishes and blessings. ~Stefannie
Feb 5, 2024 *Update*
We brought Shareef 'Little' home over a week ago and it has been a whirlwind everyday! Once his feeding tube and IV were removed, it was time to vacate the hospital and go home! Being home makes a huge difference in his spirit. The recovery ahead is long and there will be victories and setbacks while he continues to heal.
We are very grateful and appreciative of the generous outpouring of donations, acts of kindness, words of support and blessings from everyone. This time has been less stressful because of you all!
Sincerely,
Cynthia, Shareef Ali 'Little' & Family
January 2024 *Initial Posting*
I am writing this as I watch my grandson Shareef Ali our ‘Little’ as most of you know him, sleep peacefully in bed on the burn unit at Regions Hospital. Seeing his tiny body finally relaxed with his Miles Morales Spiderman stuffie next to him is a relief as he has once again suffered through the daily redressing process of the burns that cover over 15% of his body. If you know Little, you know he is about “his business” and no nonsense - even at 5 years old! He knows what he likes and everything else can disappear. He is active and very inquisitive; if something piques his interest, he’s all in. So to see him in this hospital, weighs heavy on my heart.
I have helped to care for Little and his older brother Sir Kalief their entire lives as I’ve supported my daughter while she juggles being a mother, full-time student, and entrepreneur. In the coming weeks, she will not only need my support but the support and encouragement of our community. It has taken me a few days to finish writing as it was very hard to put into words without my emotions clouding the facts for readers.
On Friday, December 29, 2023 Shareef suffered burns from hot cooking oil on his chest, stomach, arms and legs. His mother Cynthia courageously rushed him to the hospital where he has been ever since. He has suffered through the painful cleaning and redressing of the burns to prevent infection until the burns could “fully present” themselves. Meaning, it takes burns about 3 days to present as first, second- or third-degree burns. Sadly, his burns presented as third degree. His care team made the decision to begin the skin grafting process to minimize the chance for infection to set in and to give Little a reprieve from the extremely traumatizing and painful redressing process. Wednesday morning was the first surgery to begin the skin grafting process. Following that procedure Little will be immobile for five days fully wrapped in bandages. Thankfully he will not need to experience the painful cleaning and redressing of his wounds while the burns begin the process to prepare for the skin grafts.
The plan is to get Little up and moving with physical therapy as soon as possible after this first surgery to encourage movement of his arms and legs and to help his body regain the confidence he had prior to the accident. The second surgery for the skin grafts will take place in about 10 days. The extent of his recovery after the second procedure is not known.
This accident has certainly reminded our family of how quickly life can change. Last Friday afternoon, I dropped my two energetic grandsons to their mom and that evening, Little was in the ER with burns over 15% of his tiny body. We are extremely grateful and appreciate our close family and friends for the outpouring of support and encouragement for Little and his family.
Little will be hospitalized for the next 4-5 weeks. This is time that Cynthia will spend at Regions Hospital in support of Little’s care and recovery and staying informed of his progress and engaged with his care team. As an entrepreneur, this time that is spent away from working can cause major financial setbacks for a single mother of two children. If you are able to provide financial assistance to the family during this difficult time, it would be greatly appreciated. The monies raised will be used for uncovered medical expenses, household expenses, and any unexpected costs with transportation, and living expenses after Little’s release from the hospital and rehabilitation.
Since Little was admitted to the hospital on December 29th, Cynthia canceled her booked clients for the next 4-5 weeks to be fully present during his physical and emotional care and healing; and to ensure his older brother continues to receive appropriate care and support him as he begins to process his brother’s accident. We have coordinated a schedule of family and friends to sit with Shareef during the day. As well as keeping his brother Sir Kalief engaged with activities as he is without his closest brother and friend.
In addition to clearing her client schedule, Cynthia was not able to attend her classes at Taylor’d Cosmetology School, until he was stable and recovered from the first procedure. She is nearing the end of her program to become an esthetician to expand the list of services to offer clients. The tuition deadline for these final months is approaching, however the funds set aside to pay for her schooling will need to be used to pay household expenses for February.
The cancellation of clientele has caused a major financial setback for the family as a steady flow of income has stopped and the savings are quickly being depleted to pay monthly household expenses and school tuition. If you are able to support Little and his family during this time with financial assistance, please know that any amount is greatly appreciated.