Support for the Daniel Family

My daughter Tyra Michelle is a vibrant and energetic 9 year old who is known for her dancing and bringing sunshine to any gloomy day. On October 17th 2016 Tyra came home after school complaining of a stomachache and cough. After a doctor visit on October 19th her father and I were told that she had a stomach bug and to keep her hydrated. She remained home for the rest of the week. On October 24th she returned to school and came home everyday complaining about her stomach and would immediately fall asleep. The following Sunday October 30th my husband and I noticed that Tyra had not moved from her bed the entire day. We asked Tyra to get up and join the family in the living room and she responded " I can't move my legs!" My husband tried to stand her up out of bed and she collapsed to the floor. After being rushed to the ER doctors performed a spinal tap and MRI. Tyra's own body was attacking her spinal cord and brain stem which caused her to become paralyzed from waist down. Tyra spent weeks in the PICU. She had to be put on a ventilator due to her left lung collapsing as the paralysis was moving upward. She has gone through 5 plasma pheresis treatments, a blood transfusion, and countless antibiotics and steroids. We were given a possible diagnosis of Accute Flaccid Myelitis or Guillian Barre syndrome. After multiple tests, the doctors have no idea exactly what virus caused Tyra's body to react the way it did, so we are still left in the dark. Tyra is still unable to walk and is currently in a rehab facility. My husband and I have both been out of work and the bills are starting to pile up rapidly. Trying to keep the car full of gas to drive to and from the hospital on a daily basis is costly and the medical bills are creeping their way into the mailbox. We remain thankful that our daughter is still here with us. My baby girl may be down but she will definitely not be defeated! Thank you for reading my story. God Bless!