Kenzie's Road to Recovery

A week ago, 16-year-old Makenzie was rushed to the hospital after a sudden and terrifying change in behavior. She became confused, disoriented, and unable to control her own mind or body — fighting her own brain just to make sense of what was happening to her.

After spending 5+ nights in the hospital, her family were left without answers. Doctors told them it was all psychiatric — that nothing was physically wrong and she just needed to see a therapist.

But the strange, alarming behavior continued. Amy and Brad trusted their instincts and took her to a different hospital, where Makenzie was finally diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis — a rare and serious condition where the immune system attacks the brain, causing inflammation and severe neurological symptoms.

She’s now been hospitalized for four nights and could remain there for weeks. Her recovery will be long and heartbreaking, as she continues to experience confusion, memory loss, and episodes of psychosis. She doesn’t understand what’s happening to her, and it’s devastating to watch.

So far, it’s been 11 days since her first urgent care visit. Makenzie has endured:

• 6 days in two hospitals

• 4 EKGs

• 2 EEGs

• 2 MRIs

• 1 spinal tap

• 1 CT scan

• Countless lab tests

And more to come.

Amy, Brad, her baby sister Kat, and the rest of her family are desperately praying for the return of the kind, funny, and loving Makenzie they all know. Her family is holding on tightly to hope, faith, and each other as they wait for her light to return.

We’re raising funds to help ease the financial burden of her care — from hospital bills to medications, to ongoing rehab, recovery costs, and the loss of work for Brad and Amy. Every donation, no matter the size, goes directly toward Makenzie’s fight.

If you’re not in a position to give, we completely understand — please consider sharing her story and keeping Makenzie in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for supporting her on this difficult journey.