MORGAN AND TIM'S JOURNEY

Morgan Smith is a vivacious, funny, caring, faithful typical 15-year-old. On Friday, February 23, 2024, Morgan was at softball practice doing routine drills. Following a normal play, Morgan felt a jarring that radiated through her back. It didn't feel like anything wasn't just, normal. Later, at lunch with her mom, Carla, Morgan began to feel a tingling at first, in one arm and then the other. Carla acted quickly and took Morgan to the ER. While there, Morgan progressively lost feeling in both arms and legs. She was transported to Levine's Childrens Hospital in Charlotte, where she spent the next 5 days in Intensive Care while an advanced medical team searched for the cause of Morgan's sudden immobility.

Morgan has been diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological condition that involves inflammation of the spinal cord. The cause is unknown, and the treatments vary. Morgan is currently experiencing steroid and plasma treatments, with promising results. She will remain in the hospital at least another 10 days, followed by rehab. This path will take a lot of time, as the medical team seeks for the best treatments and outcome. Hospital time, rehab time and outcomes are really unknown at this time. We are optimistic about the results as we continue to move forward on this long journey.

Morgan is dealing with this experience with her normal strength, determination and humor. She is looking forward to one day being able to share her testimony of how her faith and pure grit brought her to a place of healing. She is a strong fighter who is facing the unknown as only Morgan can, with grace.

As the Smith family supports Morgan through this journey, they are joined by Tim, Morgan's spirit animal who is also just as strong and determined as Morgan to see her better, very soon. We invite you to join Morgan and Tim on this journey and ask for your prayers, faith, strength and caring. We appreciate all of the support we have received and cannot express the comfort and positivity you have brought to us all.