Support for Tyler Smith: Year Two

Watch our 5-minute video to see our update!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3sTDJU9r6Y

Hello everyone, here we are with fundraiser number two. In August 2022, Tyler was very suddenly ill and went to the ER. Two weeks later he was diagnosed with a very rare form of West Nile Virus which paralyzed his entire body. There is no medical treatment for this and no real way of knowing if and when any function will come back. Since coming out of the coma in September 2022, Tyler has regained: the ability to swallow, eat, some minor head movement and neck control, chin control, and can hear, see, think and talk. But everything from the neck down still remains paralyzed and he is still on a ventilator for life support. In the past year+, he has been to 5 hospitals/facilities. He is now at a sub-acute care living facility in the Valley in LA.

Private insurance coverage ran out in April 2023 and Medi-CAL pays for his basic living expenses, but no medical care or treatments. Which is where this new fundraiser kicks in. We are raising funds for Tyler to get acupuncture. This is the only treatment we see helping him regain some function; he has had some finger twitches, shoulder twitches, and some strengthening in the muscles in his abs and around his spine). We are also seeking funds for a mental health therapist as this has (understandably) taken a toll on Tyler's mental health, as well as a dedicated CNA, someone to help care for him in an understaffed facility. Things like "sprinting" with him (monitoring him breathing on his own as he works to get off the ventilator), bathing him daily (he's currently only showered once a week), and transitioning him from his bed to his chair are just a few of the services the CNA could provide.

Our family is facing an unbelievable and unknown future. Any and all help you can provide will go a very long way in helping Tyler to hopefully regain some physical abilities and eventually come home. Thank you so much for your time and your generosity! God bless you! Jenny Smith