Brighten Audreys Life in the Darkness of Palliative Care.

In the heart of every storm, a light shines with unwavering brilliance, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness. For family, friends and all that know her, that light of our lives is, Audrey.

Audrey is a six-year-old girl whose biggest worry should be what toy she wants to play with today or what friend she should play with at school. Instead, Audrey and her family are now facing a family's biggest fear - Navigating Palliative Care and the horrifying journey that accompanies it.

The Story

Audrey, just two years ago, went to hospital, with what would be later seen to change her and her family's life trajectory forever. Audrey had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Over time, seizures began to increase and get worse; there were ongoing check-ins with neurology teams and, unfortunately, no answers. Audrey's epilepsy is refractory - meaning anti-epilepsy medicines are no longer controlling your seizures.

By September 2023, Audrey's mobility had begun to see a significant regression; she presented with left-sided seizures and jerking, with muscle weakness in the left arm and leg. To visualize this for those who would like to understand Audrey appeared to present like a stroke victim. Despite this, she still would walk, talk, play and run around. She enjoyed playing with her sister Amari, playing with their Bluey toys, and riding her scooter. Audrey is full of sass and so cheeky. So she would always have you laughing at her directness and what she said.

This further deterioration of movement prompted an emergency review from the medical teams to understand what was happening; the only problem was that the answers never came.

Audrey has been diagnosed with the following:

1. Severe and progressive neurological condition (of unknown origin) that has resulted in a permanent acquired brain injury (ABI), causing the following conditions/complexities:

2. Global Developmental Delay (GDD)

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder Requiring Significant Support (ASD Level 2)

4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Audrey has spent from September 2023 until now fighting to regain back some control of her life, losing all of her mobility in a rapid decline and requiring 24-hour care, positioning, intensive therapy and support teams to assist her. Unfortunately, it has reached the stage that she has been deemed palliative, with still to this day no knowledge as to where this condition has stemmed from, no answers, no reassurance, and seemingly no break for this wonderful family.

Audrey is currently still admitted to the hospital. However, she and her family are determined to get out to celebrate and make some incredible, long-lasting memories as a family.

During this hospital admission, the family has been unable to return to their home due to the distance they have to travel to be with Audrey in the hospital; their youngest daughter is unable to attend childcare, and Ashlee (Audrey's mother) has been unable to work placing the family in significant distress for living costs and the additional costs of extended hospital stays. But now, since receiving a palliative diagnosis, the family have an even more difficult situation to face. Audrey requires two carers with her at all times due to her severe decline in health. Justin (Audrey's Dad) now has to choose between a roof over the family's heads and food in their stomachs or to care for his daughter and enjoy every moment they can. This is a situation no family should ever have to face when it comes to their young daughter.

As such, I am launching this GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to support Audrey and her family in their journey toward creating happy memories together forging light in the darkest days of palliative care.

Your donations will go towards the following: -

Every dollar counts, and every contribution makes a huge difference. Together, we can help Audrey shine brighter than ever before, a beacon of hope in the darkness, a testament to the power of love, faith, and community that we belong too. If there was ever a family who needed the support of those around them, It is Audrey and her family. Please make a difference and donate.