In Support of Vayda's Recovery
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💜 It felt like the right time to update all of Vayda’s loyal supporters.
From the very beginning, we’ve shared Vayda’s story with complete transparency—not only to help us heal as we live it, but to raise awareness about how complex and layered this life truly is, and to hopefully help another family navigating a similar path.
🌸 Vayda has been so incredibly blessed to have a community of people who love her, support her, pray for her, and cheer her on every step of the way. We are endlessly grateful.
In June, we completed a 3-week intensive therapy program that we were pushed into after being denied inpatient rehab. That program—and the growth Vayda made in it—would not have been possible without the fundraising we did beforehand.
💰 What many people don’t see is that while we’re away for intensive therapy, the costs are constant and add up quickly: the therapy itself isn’t covered by insurance, plus accommodations, food, prescriptions, travel, and daily living expenses. We submitted our superbills to insurance only to be reimbursed a heartbreaking 5% of the total cost.
✨ Despite the fight to make it happen, we saw beautiful, meaningful progress in Vayda. It solidified what we already knew: she needs this level of therapy, and she deserves it—whether insurance agrees or not.
➡️ That’s what brings us to today. We’re currently just over halfway through another session of intensive therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’ve found a phenomenal therapy office here that nurtures and supports the neurodevelopmental side of Vayda’s needs. They think outside the box, collaborate as a team, and work tirelessly to help each child become the best version of themselves. This is the type of therapy we want to keep pursuing for Vayda long-term.
🚫 The reality is, this institute doesn’t contract with insurance, and paying close to $35,000/year out-of-pocket (before travel and accommodations 4x a year) simply isn’t sustainable.
💻 While I’m here supporting Vayda through therapy each day, I never shut my computer. I’m constantly researching new facilities, grants, and opportunities to get Vayda as much therapy as possible. At the same time, I’m fighting our insurance company—both over the tiny reimbursement rate and for a gap extension to approve 45 hours of therapy over 15 days, 4x per year. Every member of Vayda’s medical team is writing clinical letters of need to try to make that happen.
💪 We know what works for Vayda: intensive therapy, NDT, DMI, and functional movement. It’s why we’ll keep our fundraising efforts ongoing and keep sharing updates here as we move forward.
🌼 If you have ideas for future fundraisers, we’d love to hear them. Sharing our page and Vayda’s story with friends and family helps more than you know.
💖 Being separated from our family for 3–4 months out of the year and working this hard to make therapy happen isn’t what we want—but right now, it’s what Vayda needs, and we’ll continue to do whatever it takes.
🙏 Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for every prayer, every message, every donation, and every ounce of support. We truly couldn’t do this without you.
đź“Ś Please share this page to help Vayda thrive. đź’ś
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Hello family and friends!
Hello family and friends!
We are reaching out to let you know about a very special girl named Vayda and her journey to recovery. Vayda has always brought joy to her family. At just 10 months old, she was diagnosed with a rare condition called F.I.P.W.E (Fever Induced Paroxysmal Weakness and Encephalopathy).
This condition is so rare that only four children in the USA have it. Despite major developmental delays, there is hope. Her mom, Brittany, discovered that she has a unique opportunity to get Vayda the help she needs from an incredible children’s rehabilitation program.
This condition is so rare that only four children in the USA have it. Despite major developmental delays, there is hope. Her mom, Brittany, discovered that she has a unique opportunity to get Vayda the help she needs from an incredible children’s rehabilitation program.
Two years after a severe episode from a rare neurological genetic disorder, Vayda is fighting for her chance at a more independent future. Her condition has stolen traditional milestones—running, playing, and engaging with the world as other children do. Now, at a critical point in her development, she needs a more structured, intensive rehabilitation program to give her the best opportunity to regain strength and mobility.
Vayda and her mom, Brittany, are preparing to relocate to Utah for a three-month inpatient rehabilitation program that will focus on daily physical, occupational, and speech therapy. After exhausting all available therapy options in their hometown, they are hopeful that this program will help Vayda make meaningful progress before it’s too late to rebuild essential neuropathways.
During their time away, Brittany will be unable to work and be dependent on Vayda’s dads hard work while behind at home, they will be without the close support of family and friends. They need your help to make this opportunity possible. In addition to intensive therapy, they also plan to consult with a functional neurologist to explore immune-boosting treatments, helping Vayda grow stronger between setbacks and fight off future episodes.
Your generosity will directly support Vayda’s medical care, travel, out of pocket expenses of rehab, such as high deductibles, and daily needs during their stay. Every donation brings them one step closer to giving Vayda the best chance at experiencing the simple joys of childhood—standing, playing, and interacting with the world around her.
Follow Vayda’s journey on Instagram @vaydas_voyage and get a deeper insight on YouTube @vaydasadvocate.
đź’™ Thank you for believing in Vayda and supporting her fight for a brighter future! đź’™
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Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Jul 31, 2025
💜 It felt like the right time to update all of Vayda’s loyal supporters.
💜 It felt like the right time to update all of Vayda’s loyal suppor...
May 28, 2025
Update: Halfway Through Intensive Therapy – Staying Present, Planning Ahead
Vayda has been doing wonderfully this session. She’s present, engag...
May 03, 2025
Update on Vayda’s Recovery Journey
We want to thank you all—each donor, follower, and supporter—for st...
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