Jalissa MacLellan

My Name is Chelsea Fitzgerald, Jalissa MacLellan’s cousin. As most of our town knows who Jalissa is, I’d still like to introduce her!

Jalissa was born with a rare disease called Hurlers Syndrome - MPS 1. She was expected to have a life expectancy of 2-10 years old! Jalissa fortunately received a bone marrow transplant at the age of 10 months old, saving her life. Not to dismiss complications she would later face in life.

One of them being an operation to prevent her from becoming paralyzed in her later years. A meeting was had by my family and the doctor, to fuse her spine to prevent this paralysis from happening, he stated he was 100% sure he could do this surgery. 9 year old Jalissa walked into the OR, and 10 minutes into the “prep” of the surgery - (surgery didn’t even take place) the doctor made one cut and Jalissa was paralyzed for life!!

I am starting this go fund me in hopes to fundraise enough money for a proper wheelchair accessible van, that is fully function-able for Jalissa’s needs. She has several medical appointments regarding a very important eye surgery coming up in Halifax, NS. The van they currently have will not pass inspection, too much is required to fix it, and the motor is almost gone now as well. My aunt Susan MacLellan, (Jalissa’s mom) has severe deteriorating discs in her back, along with medical groin issues, she is very incapable of physically doing any lifting for Jalissa, this is why this van is such an importance to this family. I truly hope we can fundraise enough so that she may be equipped for life! Instead of this on going battle of vehicles for her constantly giving out on them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this fully! Any small amount of donation is accepted.

- Chelsea Fitzgerald