Keyahna Vaughan

Mandy's daughter, Keyahna

Updates on Keyahna's Condition:

1/27/08

I spoke with Mandy the other night.  Keyahna is now receiving a variety of therapies but they take place in different locations and the price of gas has gone up so much that the family is really struggling with this cost. Also, Mandy has decided to go to nursing school, in order to establish a more stable financial future for her family.  She says this experience has shown her how, when you think it can't happen to you, it can - and the bills don't stop.  So, she is not getting much sleep these days but, she says, it's only for 2 years.  By then, she hopes she'll be in a better position to cope, financially.

11/28/07 - Mandy emailed this update today:

It’s been awhile sorry.  We moved and I didn’t have computer access so last week she had some IQ testing and other testing.  She is 5-1/2 but ranked 3-1/2.  They also said that she scored borderline mentally disabled.  She got referred into Special Ed classes for her school.  They also told me that they believe that she will always be slower than normal.  Monday we went for a 24-hour EEG.  They had us stay an extra 24 hours so they could see a little more.  She also had some inpatient testing done, occupational therapy and physical therapy.  They referred her to be seen weekly by an OT and PT and speech.  In her reports, she said she no longer has good balance or coordination and often finds difficulty with some world finding and expressive language skills.  At times she could not be left alone in either sitting or standing without being at risk for harming herself.  She is no longer performing at age appropriate levels in a variety of areas.  She has behaviors, language and physical impairments that have not resolved.  That’s just a little sum of some of the things she said in her report.  They don’t know if it this is all from surgery or seizures or what but damage has been done to her brain.  Her brain isn’t sending signals fast enough to her right side of body, so it moves slower and is a little weaker.  She tilts her right foot to the side and actually is tripping over her own foot.  She also has been walking on tipy toes.  She said that could also be her brain not sending the right signal to her legs and feet.  I’m waiting for the official referral.  Then we can start going to the appts. And start giving her the help she needs.  It means a lot more appts. But whatever it takes.  Thank you everybody for everything.  We love you.

11/19/07 -  I spoke with Mandy yesterday - Keyahna is ever further behind and she's just been placed in special ed. - and, last week they wound up in the ER again, given another terrible episode - apparently, this week involves three medical appointments...    I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have three girls of my own and I simply am in awe of the fact that Mandy and her family are coping with Keyahna's health issues while taking care of younger siblings - and, under financial strain, no less.   It's one thing to be thankful it's not happening in our own households - it's another to take action - to do what we can, no matter how big or small, as a community.   

Keyahna’s story is always evolving - if you wish to check in on things as updated by the family, there is another website you can go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/keyahnavaughan

$$  DIRECT DONATIONS   $$

Financial contributions to Keyahna can be made at any WAMU branch or sent directly to:

FBO KEYAHNA VAUGHAN

WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK

1900 SE SEDWICK ROAD SUITE A

PORT ORCHARD, WA 98366

Three big cheers to Kim Ketcham and her friends and family, who went above and beyond the call of duty, sponsoring Keyahna & family over the holidays.

Thanksgiving Dinner:

They prepared / delivered dinner with all trimmings. They brought a housewarming check of $100 and all decorations for their Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree:

Mandy and girls picked up a tree from the Ketcham's tree farm.  The girls received new winter coats, boots, hats and gloves, along with a Christmas Goody basket.  Truly generous!

Christmas:

Kim and family provided a full Christmas Eve dinner and baked goods, as well as all the ingredients for Christmas morning breakfast. They gave Mandy and her husband presents and gift cardsl.  And, on Christmas Eve, Santa (a.k.a. Kim's dad!) arrived.  The girls made Christmas cards for him and enjoyed pictures with Santa (they wore pretty Christmas dresses and dished out the hugs and excitement!).  Santa brought 2 presents for each girl that night and "returned" with more - apparently, Mandy led Keyahna downstairs in the morning and, upon seeing the presents, she said, "Oh my Holy Moly presents!"

Historical:

Mandy started working with Maiden America as an independent contractor just before Keyahna had a brain tumor removed (early '07 - she was four years old).  We thought the removal of the tumor would improve her situation (she had been having seizures).  When it turned out that the reverse was the outcome, I wracked my brain to figure out what we could do to help.  I started by emailing everyone I knew.  Out of that came donations, a need to open a benefit account for Keyahna and a series of efforts to raise money for Keyahna and her family. 

Erin Dumas had an idea for a benefit sale and she and I (with our kids "helping") raised over $500 selling used items and holding a raffle out of her garage in Port Orchard.  Then, while I worked to get Keyahna's story into the local papers, I prepared another raffle, to be held at my booth at a local art show.  Many local businesses donated to this effort - Classic Kids Tea Parties (now located in Port Orchard), Tracy Ryan LMP, Kaukiki Farms (now located in Long Branch), By Leah Wong jewelry (www.byleahwong.com), Point of Change Massage (Gig Harbor), Kim's Teriyaki (Port Orchard), Anthony's Salon (Port Orchard), Dirty Deeds house cleaning (Port Orchard) and more.  Trish Skinner and I managed to raise $180 in the first two hours of that event - unfortunately, a lone board member of the show shut the raffle down stating we couldn't sell raffle tickets and we couldn't make any political statements - a shame, given the rest of the board apparently didn't feel the same (the Peninsula Gateway published my commentary on this unfortunate outcome - don't know what's political about trying to help a 5-year-old with a severe brain seizure disorder but...?!).  But, what was done, was done.

Since this didn't raise the money we had hoped, one of our clients, Courtney Brown (Garden Baby Boutique in Port Orchard) decided to do a raffle as part of her fashion show event on the waterfront.  In addition, she maintained a donation box in her store.  The money raised by Garden Baby Boutique helped Mandy and her family at a very critical time - just before their power was to be shut off. 

Since then, the family moved to Bremerton and it was wonderful to hear they got a good break on a great rental because, apparently, the owner had read about Keyahna in the Kitsap Sun story!  We have Rick Hallock and Marsha Coles to thank for writing and publishing that story! 

Then, Kim Ketcham (Gig Harbor) and her family and friends did a most spectacular job of contributing to Keyahna and her family over the holidays - seriously, amazing!  See above.  

At this point, our hope is to continue to bring you Keyahna's story as it evolves.  Eventually, if it reaches enough people, there may be more lasting efforts to help this family deal with the hand they've been dealt. 

Mandy has two other younger daughters and is a young mother.  As a mother of three girls myself, I have been utterly impressed with the manner in which she has handled all of this.  I honestly cannnot say how well I would cope - just being a bystander and observing how much it requires is challenging!  Yet, she continues to display patience and maturity beyond her age.  She says it's because of her deep faith in God.  All I know is, no matter what challenges they're facing, you can still see joy in Keyahna's eyes and sense hope in the hearts of every member of her family.