'We are hoping for the best’ say parents of 3-y-o Ayana Wilson as she prepares for life-changing surgery

The parents of three-year-old Ayana Wilson, who was born with Erb’s palsy, are expressing gratitude to the public for helping to raise funds to get their daughter life-changing surgery in the United States, as they remain hopeful for a successful procedure.

Ayana, her mother, Rosealee Eccles, and Stephen Josephs, co-founder of the Crisis Support Charity, departed Jamaica on Tuesday for Philadelphia, where the child is scheduled to undergo surgery on November 9 at Shriners Children’s Hospital, which is performing the procedure free of cost.

The family, along with the charity, sought to raise $3 million to cover travel and other expenses associated with the trip.

Ayana was born with a shoulder injury that has left her with Erb’s palsy.

It was indicated that the surgery must be performed within a critical time frame to prevent permanent damage and deformity.

Josephs said the family would first have to attend several appointments to prepare for the procedure.

“We're going to have some appointments, and then come next week, she will be doing the long-awaited surgery. Before all of that, she has to meet with her doctors, her occupational therapy, just making sure that everything, her physio, everybody she's going to meet with, just to make sure that after the surgery, everything could be free flow.”

Co-founder Luke Joseph said raising the funds for the trip was challenging, but that the charity was grateful for the support received.

“It was pretty challenging to raise funds for this trip, but we are forever grateful for the support that we have received from both corporate Jamaica as well as persons overseas, and of course the ordinary Jamaican. Yes, they have really supported this mission for baby Ayana to be flown overseas,” he said.

He added that the family would continue to need assistance while in the United States, particularly with food, accommodation and transportation to and from physiotherapy appointments.

“We implore persons to continue to support this mission,” he said, directing potential donors to the charity’s website, CrisisSupportCharity.org, where its GoFundMe link is available. Donations can also be made by calling 876-344-7028.

Stephen Josephs said Ayana and her mother are expected to return to Jamaica in late December.

“We're just hoping for the best. And I just want to say a big thank you again to our ordinary Jamaicans, because when we come together as Jamaicans, we want to be a part of the solution, and that's what we offer, and that's what we are committed to,” he said.

Eccles said the family was deeply appreciative of the assistance it had received.

“We're feeling very grateful, really appreciative of everything, every help that we have gotten. So many to mention, but it's a grateful feeling. We really appreciate it,” she said.

She also thanked the Crisis Support Charity, JetBlue, Jamaicans overseas and members of the public who contributed to the fundraising effort, including those who offered prayers.

“Words can't explain what they have really done for us. We really and truly appreciate their efforts. We have come a far way. This is a long way we have been coming, and we are thankful to JetBlue, to the ordinary Jamaicans overseas, just about everyone was donating. Doesn't matter, even prayers. Not to say that prayers are the least, but we really appreciate everything that we have gotten. Every donation, we are thankful,” she said.

Ayana’s father, Aeon Wilson, also expressed gratitude for the support and said the family was praying for a positive outcome.

“We are grateful, we are thankful for it, but hope and pray for the best of Ayana Wilson,” he said.

The parents of three-year-old Ayana Wilson, who was born with Erb’s palsy, are expressing gratitude to the public for helping to raise funds to get their daughter life-changing surgery in the United States, as they remain hopeful for a successful procedure.

Ayana, her mother, Rosealee Eccles, and Stephen Josephs, co-founder of the Crisis Support Charity, departed Jamaica on Tuesday for Philadelphia, where the child is scheduled to undergo surgery on November 9 at Shriners Children’s Hospital, which is performing the procedure free of cost.

The family, along with the charity, sought to raise $3 million to cover travel and other expenses associated with the trip.

Ayana was born with a shoulder injury that has left her with Erb’s palsy.

It was indicated that the surgery must be performed within a critical time frame to prevent permanent damage and deformity.

Josephs said the family would first have to attend several appointments to prepare for the procedure.

“We're going to have some appointments, and then come next week, she will be doing the long-awaited surgery. Before all of that, she has to meet with her doctors, her occupational therapy, just making sure that everything, her physio, everybody she's going to meet with, just to make sure that after the surgery, everything could be free flow.”

Co-founder Luke Joseph said raising the funds for the trip was challenging, but that the charity was grateful for the support received.

“It was pretty challenging to raise funds for this trip, but we are forever grateful for the support that we have received from both corporate Jamaica as well as persons overseas, and of course the ordinary Jamaican. Yes, they have really supported this mission for baby Ayana to be flown overseas,” he said.

He added that the family would continue to need assistance while in the United States, particularly with food, accommodation and transportation to and from physiotherapy appointments.

“We implore persons to continue to support this mission,” he said, directing potential donors to the charity’s website, CrisisSupportCharity.org, where its GoFundMe link is available. Donations can also be made by calling 876-344-7028.

Stephen Josephs said Ayana and her mother are expected to return to Jamaica in late December.

“We're just hoping for the best. And I just want to say a big thank you again to our ordinary Jamaicans, because when we come together as Jamaicans, we want to be a part of the solution, and that's what we offer, and that's what we are committed to,” he said.

Eccles said the family was deeply appreciative of the assistance it had received.

“We're feeling very grateful, really appreciative of everything, every help that we have gotten. So many to mention, but it's a grateful feeling. We really appreciate it,” she said.

She also thanked the Crisis Support Charity, JetBlue, Jamaicans overseas, and members of the public who contributed to the fundraising effort, including those who offered prayers.

“Words can't explain what they have really done for us. We really and truly appreciate their efforts. We have come a far way. This is a long way we have been coming, and we are thankful to JetBlue, to the ordinary Jamaicans overseas; just about everyone was donating. Doesn't matter, even prayers. Not to say that prayers are the least, but we really appreciate everything that we have gotten. Every donation, we are thankful,” she said.

Ayana’s father, Aeon Wilson, also expressed gratitude for the support and said the family was praying for a positive outcome.

“We are grateful, we are thankful for it, but hope and pray for the best of Ayana Wilson,” he said.

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