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Days After Birth New Mom Can't Walk

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Paralyzed After Birth & Seperated from Her Baby Cheri is facing the BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF HER LIFE.  

Cheri Akil and her boyfriend Cody Dishman welcomed their 4th baby girl into the world on August 26th after a very long and stressful labor and delivery.

Although baby Paisley was born healthy and absolutely beautiful Cheri quickly felt that something just wasn’t right. She felt different then after her previous deliveries and the doctors assured her that she was just fine and that it was simply because it was her 4th baby and that the delivery was a little rough.

Cheri continued to tell the doctors that she was in a lot more pain than what she felt was normal and that she felt a heaviness in her pelvis and legs that she has never felt before. The doctors increased her pain medication and wrote off her continued concern.

Cheri kept her attention on her baby and her and Cody were excited to get home and have their family of 6 together! They arrived home and Cheri still could not move her legs that well.

After going to sleep that night she woke up to her baby crying and desperately tried to get to her but the heaviness turned to complete paralysis and loss of total sensation. Cody grabbed the baby as Cheri became panic stricken realizing that something serious - very serious was wrong. 

The morning quickly came and her three girls Lucy, Allison, and Kaitlyn woke up to get ready for school. Cheri and Cody did not want to alarm the girls so they got them ready and off to school as quickly as possible.

Cheri sat their on the couch and dozed off with the baby. When she woke up her nightmare soon became a reality again. Completely paralyzed from the waist down and in pain Cheri called 911. 

Cheri was admitted into postpartum care at the hospital where they evaluated her and eventually admitted her into the ICU where she was separated from her newborn and diagnosed with Gullian Barre, a debilitating and sometimes life threatening autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system.

Due to the trauma of birth and possible side effects of the epidural Cheri received her own body had began to attach the lining of the nerves in her pelvis and low back causing her to be experience this sudden onset of paralysis. 

Gillian Barre, although rare can leave DEVESTATING effects - such as paralysis which can spread to the organs of the respiratory system and cause the body to completely shut down. There's no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue. However, doctors have told Cheri and her family that she may never walk again without a walker at the least. 

CHERI & CODY NEED YOUR HELP - 

Cheri and her families life have been completely turned upside down by this tragedy. Cheri is at home by herself with her 3 year old baby girl and her newborn daughter Paisley each day while her boyfriend continues to work as much as possible to provide for them during this very difficult time.

Baby Paisley is facing her own challenges and having an EKG to rule out a possible genetic heart condition. And Cheri is juggling this as well as her own physical therapy and neurology appointments. 

Basic tasks such as making her 3 year old breakfast and lunch, making bottles for the baby, making food for herself, taking care of her older children, and maintaining a household have become extremely challenging at the least and even impossible. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP THIS FAMILY - 

Monetary Donations - A gift of ANY AMOUNT WILL BLESS THEM TREMENDOUSLY & will help cover the additional and unforeseen expenses of all of the medical care as well as supplement their income for the EXTENSIVE leave from work that Cody took to take care of their children and Cheri during the first few weeks of this tragedy. 

Domestic Support- If you are close to this family and would like to contribute your time to help with doctors appointments, watching their little ones, assisting with meal preparation, grocery shopping, cleaning, and any other need they may have PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM and offer your time, support, and love. 

Prayers- Your prayers and intercesion for this family is covetted. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers for healing, peace, and provision - In Jesus Mighty Name - AMEN!

AS HUMAN BEINGS WE ARE NOT MEANT TO LIVE A SEPERATE LIFE CUT OFF FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHERE WE HIDE OUR STRUGGLES & ARE ASHAMED TO ASK FOR HELP. WE ARE DESIGNED TO SEEK COMMUNITY, LEAN ON EACHOTHER, AND DEPEND ON OUR "TRIBE" TO GET US THROUGH THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. WITHOUT LOVE, SUPPORT, & COMPASSION FROM EACHOTHER WE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THIS LONG & THRIVED AS WE HAVE.

I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER SEARCHING DEEP IN YOUR HEART AND SEEING HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS PRECIOUS FAMILY DURING THEIR TIME OF NEED.

Organizer and beneficiary

Lauren Jessup Alvarado DC
Organizer
Arlington, TX
Cheri Aziza Akil
Beneficiary
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