In Support of Zeke's Journey

Support Registry

Browse all the options to help, in one place.

Welcome to Zeke’s  Support Registry.
This Support Registry is built to give clear direction to everyone who wants to help us on Zeke's healing journey.
Whether you’re willing to give money, send meals, or lend a hand, your support makes a real difference.
Those who would like to help the family can:
  1. Choose from Support Registry options
  2. ‘Share’ to Spread the Word to family and friends
  3. ‘Follow’ Updates to stay informed
Thank you.

We have started working with a consultant to help us gain funding for Zeke's therapies - specifically his intensives, travel costs as well as covering the items that insurance does not cover. I am constantly looking for and applying to grants, as well as trying to apply for different governmental aid. Unfortunately, we are getting denied governmental aid b/c we are in the "tricky middle." We make too much to get this aid, but we don't make enough to get all of Zeke's therapies paid for - this is where we humbly ask for your continued support on our journey. 

We are using this new platform, as I am able to share all of our updates, funding sources we might receive and also request when we need help with other needs - all in one place. 

Thank you for continuing with us on this journey and please share to spread the word with family and friends. We never know how God is going to move. 

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For those of you who don’t know our story, I’d like to share it with you. 

We became pregnant with Zeke after experiencing two heartbreaking miscarriages. Zane consistently prayed for a brother until one day, he just stopped. I was so curious about that until a day or two later, I took a pregnancy test and realized I was pregnant! 

I remember being so afraid when we got pregnant - we wanted this little person so much - that I took my fears to the Lord. And in the quietness of our time together, I felt Him whisper in the depths of my heart that I “would hold this baby in your arms.” 

We were blessed with an amazing pregnancy with him, and enjoyed each pregnancy milestone. Zane was so excited to be a big brother and spent a lot of time touching my belly. 

I got pregnant with Zeke in 2018. After doing some extensive research we decided to do a VBAC. I had to leave the practice I was with bc I knew they would not follow ACOG guidelines so I worked with a midwife. We wanted a home birth but as we prayed, God gave us zero peace on it. We began to pray about hospitals and settled on one once we felt peace from God. We planned on working with the hospitalist.

We didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl so we had names for both. A month before the baby was born, God laid on my heart that was not his name. I said “thanks God for ruining the gender reveal! 🤣” and then prayed with Jon for a week to learn the baby’s name. God laid Zeke Josiah on our hearts. 

I had to be induced at 41 and 3. I labored for 24+ hours. The doc said he really felt we should move forward with c-section. I asked to speak to Jon privately, knowing I was going to say yes but wanting Jon to be a part of it. As soon as the doc left, I felt the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life THROUGH THE EPIDURAL. I yelled to get me into surgery immediately bc something was wrong and they needed to get the baby out RIGHT THEN. 

From the time we hit the button to the time they got the baby out, it was 10 minutes. They were awesome. God used them. Zeke and I should both be dead right now. Zeke was not breathing when they got him out and I was hemorrhaging. And awake. They could not put me under bc I was puking. 

I found out later that I had a uterine rupture and a placenta abruption. The crazy thing is, VBACs have a 2% chance of rupture. But my rupture was not at my scar. It was on the left side of my body where Zeke was. His placenta was on the back of my uterus so when it blew, it separated and he fell out of my uterus by my hip. So I was part of the 1%.

He was in the NICU for a month. Zeke has 2 seizures in his first 24 hours. 

I didn’t get to hold him for a week. He had an MRI and it showed damage in the midbrain. After we met with the doctors, Jon asked me why I didn’t ask any questions. I said “ I heard them, but they don’t know the future. God does. And I know what God said.”

Oh, his name? Let me tell you what it means.
Zeke: God is my strength
Josiah: Jehovah HEALED

Did you get goosebumps yet?

After 3 weeks in the hospital he was not eating enough to sustain life. They gave us 2 options: Gtube or leave him in hospital indefinitely.  After research and prayer, we did the Gtube. 

Once we got him home, we learned that sometimes miraculous healing occurs instantly and other times it’s a journey. Ours is a journey. God has led us every step of the way. He has brought many alternative doctors onto our team and has used them to make the biggest difference.

We have a functional neurologist who gives us exercises to help the brain heal and build connections. 

They wanted him in a helmet due to some flattening on his right side. After 3 days, we said nope bc we saw significant regression. More research. More praying. God led us to craniosacral therapy which has addressed the shape as well as a host of other things. Such an amazing therapy.

God led us to chiropractic and functional neurology and it has been helping so much. 

In March 2020 we started looking for something better for Zeke bc he was throwing up so much. We prayed. Researched. Finally decided to move him to blended foods. Found a dietician to help us. God led us to one who specializes in special needs. Found out the gut is the second brain. 

In 2023, our functional neurologist, Dr. Chung, recommended we connect with Dr. Antonucci who specializes in HIE cases. After meeting with him, we KNEW we needed him to be part of our team, as he saw all the potential in our sweet Zeke. He recommended that we begin working with Ability Plus as well. We have seen huge progress since these treatments and are so grateful for them. 

The combination of these treatments far surpass what insurances will cover and we have had some special friends come alongside us and help us fundraise, and we have been incredibly grateful and humbled.  In order for us to continue in these therapies we have to continue to fundraise. Thank you for taking time to read our story and to support us on our journey. 

Janina Seifel
Beneficiary

Organized by Abby Zachritz and Kharis Montilla.

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Laura McDonald

How did I miss that yo were in Miami to see yet another professional? I'm glad the diagnosis is not hereditary and even more glad that your ability to listen and consider safely for all involved is so refined. Thanks for sharing the BRAIN acronym....
  • 13 days ago
  • on 'Miami ' update

Anonymous

Caring and praying always
  • 13 days ago
  • with donation

Bethany Baker

Amen friend!!! Praying fiercely for you and your family, especially for Tuesday.
  • about 1 month ago
  • on 'Dead flowers, green shoots and mitochondrial disorder' update

Laura McDonald

At every turn there is hope. He is the God of hope, bringing all things to life. Rejoice for your turnaround is so near. I am holding you and your entire family up for the strength to endure to the breakthrough, which will fuel you for the life ah...
  • about 1 month ago
  • on 'Dead flowers, green shoots and mitochondrial disorder' update

Charles.musser3

Praying for you and John. Your journey is so full but God will get you through. I will continue to pray. Please tell John I miss him.
  • about 1 month ago
  • on 'Dead flowers, green shoots and mitochondrial disorder' update

Tania.kinney19

Prayers for hope and healing 🙏 ❤️
  • about 1 month ago
  • on 'Dead flowers, green shoots and mitochondrial disorder' update
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