Like the calm before the storm, Jody Hanna and her family are quietly preparing for what can be a most amazing life change.
Blind since birth, the young teen will undergo treatment in Phoenix, Ariz. that could give her the gift of sight – a gift made possible by the overwhelming response from this community.
The stem cell treatment Jody will undergo Jan. 11, is her only hope for vision, but it comes at a hefty cost.
In September, friend Lisa Devries set a fundraising goal of $20,000. In less than two months, more than double that amount was raised.
Jody’s mom Alicia, says she has had some disquieting feedback about what will happen to the $51,000 sitting in a special bank account.
“I have been told people wonder what we’re going to do with the money, and it’s making me feel a little bit uncomfortable,” she says.
“I guess I just want everybody to know the money is going to be used for Jody.”
The teen will be receiving therapy, counselling and possibly glasses.
“She doesn’t know how to read print, so we’ll be hiring a tutor and she doesn’t know how to use a pen or write letters. She will have to be learning all over again and it all takes money” adds Alicia.