Baby Elena

Hello everyone, for those that don’t know me my name is Jennifer Woods. I’m starting a GoFundMe fundraiser on behalf of my son-in-law Lake and daughter Destiny Smith. This is their daughter, my grand daughter, Elena.

Elena was born on 4/26/23 with a rare condition called Pierre Robin Sequence Syndrome. Elena has a cleft palate and a small lower jaw. In this syndrome, the tongue is further back in the mouth than normal. When this happens, it blocks the esophagus and airway, causing problems with feeding and breathing.

Needless the say, my grand-baby is one of the ones that can’t wait the many months after birth to start the series of surgeries needed to correct her issues. They are going to proceed with jaw distraction. Once they do this over the next few weeks they will be slowly pulling her lower jaw forward. The overall process of healing on the first surgery will take months in NICU. Everyone is absolutely heartbroken over this. What should’ve been a joyous time with a new baby has turned into a parent’s nightmare.

Elena has 2 older sisters, Mila (4) and Sophia (2). Their Daddy, Lake, is the sole provider for the family and hasn’t been able to work since this has begun. Loss of income is hopefully a stress you can help take away from this family with any generosity of donations you could graciously spare. Family is helping as much possible, but it never hurts to ask for outside help. They don’t qualify by Medicaid standards so they carry private insurance through Lake’s work. This means medical bills will be piling up and in soon.

We are a family of faith, and we know God is in control and has his loving arms wrapped around our baby girl and family during this time. We need all the prayers we can get for Elena, Family and the Medical Team with upcoming difficult decisions. Thank you all so much that have been reaching out and have been praying for sweet Elena. Please share Elena’s story if you feel led to. That would be greatly appreciated. God Bless.

Update: I was asked if there were any other methods to donate. You can send through PayPal Friends and Family using @lakeanddestiny or CashApp using $deejayxoxox.