K’ÓMOKS FIRST NATION, B.C- A Comox Valley family is looking for support, after their daughter was diagnosed with a brain infection.
According to the GoFundMe page for the family, Mary Everson received life altering news when her daughter Anna was diagnosed with a brain Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in recent weeks.
ADEM is a brain infection that attacks and leads to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It then damages the protective covering of the nerve fibers.
Mary first took her daughter to the hospital on March 15th in Courtenay. Anna had been having flu-like symptoms days before, according to the GoFundMe page.
She was then sent to the BC Children’s Hospital; her family has since been travelling back and forth from K’ómoks First Nation.
The GoFundMe page posted some of Mary’s social media updates where in one she had posted:
“We are so humbled that it was caught before she went into a coma.”
According to the GoFundMe, Anna has been going through seizures as a result of ADEM.
She also had to endure a spinal tap, biopsy, surgery, being on a ventilator, a feeding tube and much more.
Anna’s brain has been damaged from the infection and she will now have to work on her muscles, speech and walking.
Recovery will require much more than the love of her family.
Anna’s recovery will be long and difficult, and renovations need to be made for easier mobility around the family’s home.
The most recent update from Anna’s mother posted is from April 16th:
“It has been a very tough day with Anna,” wrote Mary.
“Her young brain has some damage from this horrible disease. I would trade places with her in a heartbeat. Keep your prayers for her, she needs all of them. Ga la kas la.”
The GoFundMe goal is set at $5,000 and at this time they have raised $1,075.
To donate to Anna and her family you can find the GoFundMe page here.
-with files from Tricia Mason
