Help the Bushman Family

A Call to Help a Dear Friend's Family Marian Bushman has been one of my best friends for nearly 30 years. We met in middle school in 8th grade. In December of 2015, what she thought was a normal day ended up with the unthinkable: her 3-year old daughter, Maria, was being airlifted to Oakland Children's Hospital fighting for her life. She spent the next three weeks (including Christmas) fighting and recovering from a bout with bacterial meningitis. Despite being unable to pinpoint a cause, she was sent home to continue her recovery. Tragically, less than a year later, in September of 2016, Maria again contracted bacterial meningitis and spent another three weeks in the hospital. Thankfully, this time, they were able to diagnose the source of the infection: Maria was born with a congenital inner ear malformation and disorder-- Mondini Dysplasia-- which not only rendered her completely deaf in one ear, but was also allowing bacteria to enter her brain and spinal cord and causing the dangerous infection. Maria underwent surgery to repair her inner ear and hopefully prevent this from happening to her again. Fast forward a mere 5 months later to this past week, and Marian and her family have again found themselves rushing sweet Maria back to the hospital with her third bout of bacterial meningitis in 14 months.

The first bout of meningitis that Maria had was the most severe of the three and caused lesions on her brain that have not healed. This brain injury has caused behavioral and cognitive changes and delays for precious Maria including disrupted sleep patterns, food addiction, OCD behaviors, and extreme mood fluctuations. Now she is faced with another two weeks in the hospital which includes a second ear surgery to fix the hole where the bacteria is gaining entry into her spinal column.

Marian, her husband Brian, and her family have been by Maria's side for each of these extended hospitilizations, and it has taken a toll on them emotionally and financially. Marian is an elementary school teacher and has exhausted all of her sick and family leave to care for Maria and is now paying out of pocket for substitute teachers to teach her class. Between that, loss of wages, insurance premiums, parking and food at the hospital, and other unforseen expenses, I know the Bushman family would be extremely grateful for anything you can spare to help ease the burden so that they can focus on Maria's recovery for the next few weeks in the hospital.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.