Fortunately, after years of watching my sister in excruciating pain, she has finally agreed to let me post this! Melissa has always been the strongest person I have ever known. She is rough around the edges, she is guarded but she is also kind,caring,driven and just all around an amazing woman. She was an athlete that loved anything that would test her strength. Her favorite sport was racing outrigger canoes in the Pacific Ocean.Then the accident happened, one that she thought she bounced back from, one that a careless stranger would unknowingly change her life over time. One that left enough damage in her neck and back that it can permanently disable her.

My sister chooses against disability because she wants so much more than help—she craves independence and dignity in the face of the world. That's why I'm here today, reaching out to you all. We are at a crossroad, one wrong step could mean permanent paralysis or worse. This is  about creating possibilities again—the possibility of living without pain, the possibility of hugging loved ones without restrictions, and most importantly, the possibility to be whole again.

This isn’t a plea just for sympathy; it’s a plea for help for her to regain control over every part of life that has felt out of reach lately. Every dollar counts and would mean so much more than money in our pockets. It means hope

Currently Melissa goes in and out of temporary paralysis in her face. She also has severe headaches every single day and is losing her vision but she never let it stop her from working hard and helping anyone she could. I’m asking for help to cover what insurance will not for a surgery that could help her regain her life.

The only other thing I ask for is that if you cannot donate please pray that my sister will overcome all of this and smile again. Thank you so much

😊 #HealingTogether #FightForYourRightToLiveLifeFully