Help to raise money for Candice.

Hi,

 

My name is Aali, and I'm Candice’s older brother. I want to share my sister’s story in hope that she will get the medical supplies and equipment that she desperately needs. 

 

In August 2021, Candice celebrated her 30th birthday and at the time she was working as a flight attendant for United Airlines. She is a beautiful spirit, bringing a warm smile that can light any room, and she truly is a blessing to anyone she meets. You instantly feel loved when you are with Candice. She enjoys roller skating, working out, and is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Candice is a lifelong learner and decided to return to school in pursuit of completing a second degree in nursing. During the 20/21 school year, she was taking classes at the Community College of Philadelphia.

 

On August 17, 2021, our lives forever changed, she tested positive for COVID-19. The virus began to attack Candice’s body aggressively and as a result she was placed on a ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) heart machine and ventilator. Just 10 days after her birthday, she laid in a medically induced coma. She was placed on the ECMO because her heart and lungs were unable to function on their own. Side effects of the machine caused her to have blood flow problems like a lack of consistent flow to her arms, hands, feet and other areas of the body. She, was on the ECMO machine for three weeks, causing her body to go into shock. Unfortunately, due to these reactions, Candice had to undergo several amputations resulting in the loss of her arms, left leg below the knee and half of her right foot.

 

Watching my little sister go through this was beyond heartbreaking, and it has been a life-changing experience for our entire family. I started this GoFundMe is to raise money to ensure that Candice will have medical equipment and supplies. Some of her current needs are a house ramp, wheelchair lift, an accessible bathroom, prosthetic arms, a prosthetic leg, a non-powered wheelchair and an accessible van. There are a host of medical supplies that are needed, but I wanted to keep this brief. 

 

I desire that she receives functional prosthetics will allow her to live a rich and rewarding life. Functional prosthetics are extremely expensive!. We are also raising funds to cover medical bills incurred from her nine-month stay in the hospital. I never thought I would be in a situation like this, and it makes me very vulnerable to ask for support, but I want to support my sister as best as I can. I appreciate everyone who is thinking and praying on her behalf. I am deeply grateful for your support.

STORY UPDATE:

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to give everybody an in regards to where I’m at with my health and recovery. I really want to say thank you to everyone who has donated so far and everyone who sent out prayers. 2021 to 2022 was a crazy and difficult year for my family and I and we are forever grateful for those who have given to this cause and kept us in your prayers.

After being in the hospital for almost a year, I finally was able to come home. I was super excited. However, my brother and I realized quickly that living in a city like Philadelphia as a person who is disabled/wheelchair user things can be very difficult. Unfortunately, given my current situation, this is my new real reality but I’m very grateful because by the grace of God, he chose to keep me here.

I am currently attending Magee , rehabilitation center, which has offered really great recovery method for me. This place has become my second home, and I enjoy being there doing occupational therapy, physical therapy, art therapy, music, therapy, dance therapy. I was really active before my illness and I’m enjoying trying to get back to being active by doing these activities . Therefore, my full-time job really is recovery so doing all the things that involve getting back to walking and getting my body stronger. As of right now I have recovered greatly meaning of come along way. I can currently walk about 5 to 6 minutes with a walker , however, I am still using a wheelchair. I have also started to develop my cooking skills. Cooking and taking care of my home were/are things that are very important to me that I’ve been trying to hunt in on finding adaptable ways to help me as an upper bilateral amputee be able to cook in the kitchen for me and my family. since I am unable to work right now, financially, things have been a struggle. With being so young, I do desire, and have the goal of being able to go back to work at some point but unfortunately Rehab/recovery is again my full-time job at the moment.

With the financial burden that has been on my brother and I we could surely use some assistance. There are many different types of medical equipments. I’m still in need of different services I’m still in need of. Some of the things that we struggle with are,assessable housing as well as an accessible travel. Having multiple amputations means that I need lots of different medical equipment/adaptable equipment to help me do every day adult living task in and around the home as well as outside the home. we are still being hopeful for things like an assessable van. This will help me to get around the city to the many doctors appointments that I have to attend weekly as well as to Rehab 3 to 4 times out of the week, the grocery store, the pharmacy, and also to experience life outside of my home with ease. If you know anyone who is disabled and or in a wheelchair then you will know that consistent and reliable transportation it’s not promised in the city.

In addition, we are still being hopeful for a travel size electric wheelchair, as well as a possibility to be able to have quality prosthetics that equipped to do the daily task that I need to do, having different prosthetics/changing of prosthetics will be something that unfortunately will happen throughout my life due to change in size/age and wear and tear of prosthetics. while we are still being hopeful for many things that I will always need we are thankful for anything that you may choose to Donate even your prayers. we thank you so much for helping us, and hearing my story, I am forever. Hopeful for what is to come .

Thank you!

With love from Candi.