Help Mila recover from a lightning strike

Hi everyone,

I am Mila’s mother, Nalee. On August 12th, Mila and our family went on vacation to celebrate Mila’s 12th birthday and to visit Florida for the first time. While on vacation, we were at Sebastian Inlet Beach where Mila and I were struck by lightning. I was able to wake up from the strike, however Mila was left unconscious. We were both taken via ambulance to the local hospital, where Mila suffered such severe burns and injuries that she was helicoptered to AdventHealth Children’s Hospital in Orlando. Due to the extent of her injury, Mila was put on a ventilator and surgery was performed to help release the blood and fluids that surrounded her brain. Although she went from critical to stable condition, it is unknown if this injury will cause any long-term side effects for her daughter. Mila has yet to wake up. She is expected to remain at the hospital for the next several months undergoing another surgery in 2 or 3 months.

Mila’s condition update as of August 28, 2023.

The doctors have confirmed that Mila has right hemisphere brain damage from the injuries sustained from the lightning strike. That means her language will be affected, she will not able to use her left-side body functions, remember things or people, process information, eat, and other things affected by right-sided brain injury. Mila will be having a permanent breathing tube and a permanent feeding tube placed in today.

Mila will need around-the-clock specialized care. Bringing her back home to the Twin Cities for care is not an option at this point, therefore I have made the decision to remain in Florida with Mila. In the next several weeks, Mila will be transferred to a long-term care facility to be monitored for the remainder of a few months to possibly a few years. Depending on Mila’s future prognosis, my desire is for Mila to be in the best care possible while remaining in Florida. Although Mila’s condition has brought devastating news to our family, we are holding onto hope that someday, she may be able to function normally again.

Thank you to all those who have supported this campaign and continue to support. Please consider supporting our family by donating financially or with your prayers. Any amount is appreciated, and all prayers are welcomed. Mila’s medical bills are surpassing close to a million dollars. So the funds will be used for any medical bills not covered by the insurance and future medical bills of finding a long term care home for Mila. It will also help me pay for temporary housing while we remain in Florida for the next few months. Once we are able to bring Mila back to Minnesota, we will also use the funds will help fly Mila back home.

Thank you for your support during our family’s time of need. Please continue to send in your prayers. Mila turns 12 on August 29, 2023.

We will continue to update her progress through this account.