Donation protected
Everyone knows the amazingly Strong, Athletic, Passionate, Smart, Fun, Funny, and Mischievous Albanian Powerhouse Ani. She came to this country as an immigrant in 2015 to get the best education she could and to live the American Dream. Ani spoke no English but it did not matter.
Ani, as a passionate volleyball player and enthusiast, joined the Georgia State Volleyball Club Team and pursued a Bachelors degree in Actuary Science. During these years, Ani learned English and formed lifelong friendships in school and the amazing volleyball community she so deeply loves. Anyone who has played volleyball with Ani knows her presence on and off the court. She is the ultimate loving shit talker, all while being the most loyal friend you will ever have. Her one tattoo says it all: Happiness. Her pursuit of life and happiness is infectious and hard to match.
In October of 2021, Ani tragically lost her mom. Her mom was her world. She has been coping here in the states while trying to pursue her career and make her way back to her home country of Albania to grieve and have closure with her family.
In December of 2021, her car engine seized and she lost access to transportation. Ani’s reaction was “I got this. I’ll figure it out”. This is Ani in a nutshell. In true Ani fashion, she picked herself back up and found an amazing work family at Insight Global. Not only did Ani find an amazing company to work with, Insight Global was located directly next to a Marta station, solving her transportation dilemma.
Sunday on the third of April, Ani played in a triples GVegas grass volleyball tournament and made the playoffs. Even after a day long out of state volleyball tournament on Sunday, and a day of work on Monday, Ani organized grass volleyball with friends at Skyland park. She is a Machine!
On Wednesday, April 6th, Ani left the East Point Marta station for work. Once arriving to the Dunwoody station Ani got off of the train and quickly realized something was not right. Her right hand and arm became extremely weak, causing her to drop her Insight Global water tumbler several times. Upon getting herself into the office, she began sweating and losing power in her left hand and arm as well. All of this was followed by extreme chest pain and weakness throughout her body.
Ani’s boss immediately jumped to action and got Ani to the Northside Hospital ER. They ran a battery of tests, including an MRI and CAT scan. They gave no diagnosis and discharged her with no game plan and a list of specialists to call. By the time Ani arrived home on Wednesday night, both of her legs were paralyzed, requiring her to be carried out of the car.
On Thursday morning, Ani was transported to the Piedmont Hospital’s Emergency Department. There, she finally got the professional help and medical attention she truly needed. Ani went through another several hours of tests and scans. She also had and extraordinary Neurologist asses her and review her MRI results.
The Neurologist was able to do an initial diagnosis of Transverse Myelitis, a swelling of her spinal cord. Ani currently has no function of her hands, feet, legs or mid body. This morning, Friday the 8th, she had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to test her spinal fluid for infection and any immune attack response. She has also been placed on an intensive five day steroid treatment. To this point, she is still not able to be taken out of her hospital bed, hold anything or move in any capacity outside of moving her head and limited arm movement. On the positive side, cognitively, Ani is doing great and still able to talk to friends and family.
On behalf of Ani, we are asking for financial support through these extremely difficult times. Our initial fundraising goal is ten thousand dollars to help cover medical bills, occupational therapy, and any other hardships. Ani is such an amazing person and we know her friends, family, and work family are looking to help in anyway possible. This is our ask and we are extremely grateful for all of your love, support, thoughts, and prayers, regardless of your ability to donate to her fund at this time!
With all of the Love, Support, and Strength we can offer…
Let’s Do This Team Ani!
About This Fundraiser,
My name is Dan Parsons and I am Ani’s boyfriend living with her in East Point, Georgia. We will be using these funds for assistive technology, home accessibility modifications, food & travel expenses, rent, care giver expenses, therapy & rehabilitation outpatient costs, wheel chair & walking apparatus, and of course hospital bills for Northside, Piedmont, and Shepherd Center. As the weeks and months move forward, and we begin the utilization of these funds I will be sure to include major specifics in the updates. We plan on paying forward as the months and year goes by. As Ani graduates from certain specialized equipment, we will donate these items to families in need at Shepherd. We will also be making donations on behalf of Team Ani to the Shepherd Center to help support this amazing not-for-profit hospital and rehabilitation center at:
I will be assisting Ani in the management of these funds. She is involved daily in monitoring and the administration of all proceeds raised. If you ever have any concerns, Ani is available through phone, text, and email. You are also welcome to contact me anytime through the GoFundMe application.
We are so grateful for your support and are committed to being responsible and transparent stewards of the generous donations you all have given.
With Love and Gratitude,
Dan
#TeamAni
Organizer
Dan Parsons
Organizer
Atlanta, GA