Mother of ill child and out of work/ covid-19

Good day, My name is Zarinah and I work as a Self-employed hairstylist and soon to be a certified Trichologist. I'm from San Francisco, CA and have lived in the Bay Area my whole life.  I am a mother of 1 to my 11- year old daughter, Alannah. On March 6th, 2020, Alannah was at her charter school and suddenly went through cardiac arrest and passed out-unresponsive!  Her school staff attempted CPR and nothing worked. The ambulance rushed to the scene and took her to the nearest hospital. They were able to find a pulse but because Alannah is a child, they transferred her to Children's hospital to get the help she needed. Despite finding a pulse, she was placed on life support. We've been at the hospital day and night (overnight) ever since. 

It's been a traumatizing experience for our family. Not only did my daughter go through this horrific experience, but the coronavirus has made things even more difficult. Our county went into a mandatory shelter in place the very following week, preventing any visitors (other than parents of the patients) from entering the hospital). This is understandable due to the pandemic. However, we're not able to get the help we need from family to be at the hospital with us to rotate breaks, naps, meals, etc. We have not left Alannah's side. 

Thankfully, Alannah has been making improvements daily and was taken off of life support equipment 2 weeks later! However, she needs to learn how to talk, walk and do other normal daily functions. She's still on a feeding tube and has to wear a diaper until she can get back to her normal self again. She's doing physical therapy and speech therapy daily to support her rehabilitation. 


When the use of life support equipment was discontinued, I had planned to go back to work in-between hospital visits to not only provide for our needs but to pay for the medical costs that are stacking up. I was anticipating on decreasing my normal work load by taking at least 1-2 clients every few days to make ends meet......but due to COVID-19, I'm prohibited from working until April 7th or longer.  As a small business owner, my profession isn't considered an essential need which means there is no economic relief for honest workers like myself. There have been numerous petitions to address this deficit, but no solution other than taking out a loan (which could potentially make a financial problem worse). All of my savings have been used up and I've been relying on the contributions of family, loyal clients, and colleagues which I'm so very thankful for. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected EVERYONE in some way, shape or form; they can only do so much and understandably so.

I ask for help in our time of need to help support my daughter and keep my business. Alannah is such a beautiful soul and anyone that has ever met her, even if it's just for a moment, can attest to the light and love she brings to anyone. She is a well behaved, friendly, intelligent and respectful girl; a rarity in this day and age.  She is highly creative, loves to sing, dance, write her own stories, art, swimming, baking.....we were also getting ready to start her own business to do as a family during spring and summer break to showcase all her creative abilities. She loves animals and loves children.

There is a chance that she may need a Defibrillator implant surgery to prevent this from happening again as well as more frequent doctor visits...things are getting better and I thank the most high for her still being here with us.  We're remaining affirmative and in prayer......Your contributions will go towards her care and needs which may include: a defibrillator vest (as a temporary alternative to the defibrillator implant surgery-to keep her protected until she may need to do the permanent surgery), savings towards a defibrillator implant surgery,  medications, therapy, and other medical needs. A portion of the proceeds will also go towards our basic needs: food, rent, gas, utilities. Lastly, some of the proceeds will also help me stay in business which is my only source of income: rent space, supplies and essential expenses in order to continue to service clients  acter the shelter in place is lifted (this is my only source of income that I need to care for our family). Thank you so much for reading and contributing to this cause.