Support Vanessa & Vivian during a life changing experience

**Help Support Vanessa and Vivian**

Hi, my name is Georgianna Banks, and I’m reaching out on behalf of Vanessa and her daughter, Vivian. For years, they have been cherished members of our gym community, and I consider them family.

Recently, 5-year-old Vivian experienced a sudden and alarming change in her health. She became nonverbal and began exhibiting behaviors typical of much younger children, such as baby talk and incontinence. She also suffered severe outbursts, including biting and hitting herself and others, which we now understand to be related to psychosis. Vivian lost interest in her extracurricular activities and began showing signs of confusion and severe OCD. As her condition worsened, she started having frequent dyskinesia episodes, which made it difficult for her to sleep at night, further adding to her agitation.

After being admitted to Hasbro Hospital, Vivian was transferred to Boston Children’s Hospital, where she has been diagnosed with NMDA encephalitis—an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain.

Vivian has undergone multiple treatments, including two courses of antibiotics, five days of high-dose steroids, two courses of IVIG treatment, and two courses of rituximab. She will require ongoing treatments and rehabilitation for a full recovery, which may take months to years.

With Mother’s Day just passing, my heart goes out to Vanessa. As a remarkable single mother, she is facing the challenges of taking time off work to care for her daughter during this trying time. Unfortunately, she has limited local support, as much of her family resides in Florida.

I’m hoping our community can come together to support Vanessa and Vivian during this difficult period. Every contribution, no matter the size, can make a significant difference. Let’s unite to provide relief and show this family the love and support they truly need. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your kindness.