Jazylyn Yeboah's Journey
Donation protected
As many know, Jayzlyn Yeboah, a second grader from Sabold Elementary in Springfield was tragically struck by a car as she exited her school bus last October. Jazylyn suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent six months in a coma at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She was not expected to survive but miraculously she was released from the hospital in April. Jazylyn’s parents, Dickson and Afia want to thank their Church and Springfield communities for their support while Jazylyn was in the hospital and for joining them to welcome her home.
Coming home: After the accident, Jazylyn’s parents were told that if their daughter survived, she would need an accessible living space. So, they found a place that would accommodate Jazylyn in Media, where we became new neighbors and friends. The Yeboahs are wonderful people and getting to know them has been a real joy. Although they have not asked for help to care for Jazylyn, it is apparent that they really could use some.
When Jazylyn emerged from the coma, they said they felt so much relief and hope. They looked forward to some normalcy with the family reunited at home. But home life is anything but normal when managing the care of a child with a brain injury. Jazylyn is totally dependent on her parents for all her care. While at Children’s Hospital, the medical staff provided round the clock for her, and now that mission falls to Afia and Dickson. As difficult and overwhelming as it is, they approach every day with joy and gratitude for their daughter’s life and promise of recovery.
While at home, Jazylyn receives speech, physical and occupational therapy via Children’s Hospital telehealth visits. When the COVID restrictions are lifted, she will travel to Children’s for therapy sessions and to attend day school for kids with special needs. It is expected to be a long and arduous journey for Jazylyn as treatments can bring many complications for a medically frail child.
Meeting the Yeboahs: When I first visited the Yeboahs, they walked me home. Afia explained that in Africa, when you leave someone, you walk a ways with them to make them feel cared for and safe. I thought how kind of them to think of others, when they are facing so many challenges themselves. For most of us, it is difficult to ask for help, and the Yeboahs are no exception. So, I am asking on their behalf. This is a heartfelt ask of you to consider supporting Jazylyn’s journey to recovery.
THE YEBOAHS NEED HELP WITH JAZYLYN’S JOURNEY, TO WALK A WAYS WITH THEM.
Everyday life: After Jazylyn’s accident, Dickson and Afia had to give up work. They spent six months at Children’s Hospital taking turns at their daughter’s bedside. Even with Jazylyn home, they do not have the freedom to return to their jobs. COVID-19 presents higher risks to a medically frail child and visits to their home are off limits. The Yeboahs, like most of us are sheltered in place but their experience is quite different. They are caring for a child with a traumatic brain injury 24/7 and three other young children, with a drastic reduction in income.
How is Jazylyn? Before the accident, Jazylyn was a loving and bright kid who excelled in math and science, loved soccer, and running long distances with her Dad.
Her therapists report that she approaches her daily therapy with the same determination. Rarely does she get frustrated with her wheelchair, leg splints, or left side paralysis. And she has made some progress – she can stand unattended for a short time and speaks in almost complete sentences. Her parents say she is as loving now as she was before the accident. She smiles, understands a joke, and says thank you for every little thing you do for her.
What is her prognosis? It’s too soon to know the level of functions Jazylyn will recover, but her parents are confident that once she begins to work with the rehabilitation team in person, she will make significant improvement. Hopefully, she will regain cognitive-communications skills, be able to walk on her own, and ultimately transition to school and community life. There are many uncertainties about Jazylyn’s future, but her parents are determined to do whatever it takes to help her regain participation in the world.
AS THE YEBOAHS WAIT TO BEGIN JAZYLYN’S REHABILITATION, EXPENSES PILE UP
What help is there? Families with brain injured children face financial hardships and many go on to bankruptcy. There are no public or private funds to cover living expenses of families who, like the Yeboahs, must care for their disabled children. Funds for children with brain injuries are found in a school system’s special education programs.
How you can help: Your contribution will help the Yeboahs care for Jazylyn at home and help with daily travel expenses to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. It would ease the burden of not meeting their monthly bills so they can focus on Jazylyn’s recovery and rehabilitation. They are hopeful that after six months, Jazylyn will improve to the point that one of them could resume work. You can walk a ways with them on this journey towards Jazylyn’s recovery. They only ask for your prayers. They need those and a little financial help too. It will be a long road to recovery but with their joyful attitude and determination, and your help they will have a safe passage.
PS To old friends, new friends, and their friends please consider financially helping this wonderful family. Please share Jazylyn’s story on your social media pages. By sharing, it increases the chances of reaching our goal. Thank you very much.
Coming home: After the accident, Jazylyn’s parents were told that if their daughter survived, she would need an accessible living space. So, they found a place that would accommodate Jazylyn in Media, where we became new neighbors and friends. The Yeboahs are wonderful people and getting to know them has been a real joy. Although they have not asked for help to care for Jazylyn, it is apparent that they really could use some.
When Jazylyn emerged from the coma, they said they felt so much relief and hope. They looked forward to some normalcy with the family reunited at home. But home life is anything but normal when managing the care of a child with a brain injury. Jazylyn is totally dependent on her parents for all her care. While at Children’s Hospital, the medical staff provided round the clock for her, and now that mission falls to Afia and Dickson. As difficult and overwhelming as it is, they approach every day with joy and gratitude for their daughter’s life and promise of recovery.
While at home, Jazylyn receives speech, physical and occupational therapy via Children’s Hospital telehealth visits. When the COVID restrictions are lifted, she will travel to Children’s for therapy sessions and to attend day school for kids with special needs. It is expected to be a long and arduous journey for Jazylyn as treatments can bring many complications for a medically frail child.
Meeting the Yeboahs: When I first visited the Yeboahs, they walked me home. Afia explained that in Africa, when you leave someone, you walk a ways with them to make them feel cared for and safe. I thought how kind of them to think of others, when they are facing so many challenges themselves. For most of us, it is difficult to ask for help, and the Yeboahs are no exception. So, I am asking on their behalf. This is a heartfelt ask of you to consider supporting Jazylyn’s journey to recovery.
THE YEBOAHS NEED HELP WITH JAZYLYN’S JOURNEY, TO WALK A WAYS WITH THEM.
Everyday life: After Jazylyn’s accident, Dickson and Afia had to give up work. They spent six months at Children’s Hospital taking turns at their daughter’s bedside. Even with Jazylyn home, they do not have the freedom to return to their jobs. COVID-19 presents higher risks to a medically frail child and visits to their home are off limits. The Yeboahs, like most of us are sheltered in place but their experience is quite different. They are caring for a child with a traumatic brain injury 24/7 and three other young children, with a drastic reduction in income.
How is Jazylyn? Before the accident, Jazylyn was a loving and bright kid who excelled in math and science, loved soccer, and running long distances with her Dad.
Her therapists report that she approaches her daily therapy with the same determination. Rarely does she get frustrated with her wheelchair, leg splints, or left side paralysis. And she has made some progress – she can stand unattended for a short time and speaks in almost complete sentences. Her parents say she is as loving now as she was before the accident. She smiles, understands a joke, and says thank you for every little thing you do for her.
What is her prognosis? It’s too soon to know the level of functions Jazylyn will recover, but her parents are confident that once she begins to work with the rehabilitation team in person, she will make significant improvement. Hopefully, she will regain cognitive-communications skills, be able to walk on her own, and ultimately transition to school and community life. There are many uncertainties about Jazylyn’s future, but her parents are determined to do whatever it takes to help her regain participation in the world.
AS THE YEBOAHS WAIT TO BEGIN JAZYLYN’S REHABILITATION, EXPENSES PILE UP
What help is there? Families with brain injured children face financial hardships and many go on to bankruptcy. There are no public or private funds to cover living expenses of families who, like the Yeboahs, must care for their disabled children. Funds for children with brain injuries are found in a school system’s special education programs.
How you can help: Your contribution will help the Yeboahs care for Jazylyn at home and help with daily travel expenses to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. It would ease the burden of not meeting their monthly bills so they can focus on Jazylyn’s recovery and rehabilitation. They are hopeful that after six months, Jazylyn will improve to the point that one of them could resume work. You can walk a ways with them on this journey towards Jazylyn’s recovery. They only ask for your prayers. They need those and a little financial help too. It will be a long road to recovery but with their joyful attitude and determination, and your help they will have a safe passage.
PS To old friends, new friends, and their friends please consider financially helping this wonderful family. Please share Jazylyn’s story on your social media pages. By sharing, it increases the chances of reaching our goal. Thank you very much.
Organizer and beneficiary
Barbara Meindl
Organizer
Media, PA
Dickson Yeboah
Beneficiary