12-year-old suffers four strokes
Mother seeks support for daughter battling sickle cell disease
For almost all of her young life, 12-year-old Hannahlisa Hall has been beset with health problems, leading to her suffering four strokes.
Her mother, Claudette Grant, explained that Hannahlisa suffers from a severe form of sickle cell disease, which she inherited from both parents. Grant, 46, was aware of her own condition, but discovered only later that her daughter’s father also carried the sickle cell disease. “They (doctors) say that she has poor circulation of blood that is causing the strokes. She got the first two strokes at age seven, she had another stroke at eight, and then her fourth stroke at 12,” she said. Before her pregnancy with her daughter she worked as a domestic helper and day’s worker. Her eldest child, 22, is a graduate of the Caribbean Maritime University, while his 19-year-old brother is on the verge of pursuing higher education.
Despite her initial plans to return to work, Grant found it impossible to leave Hannahlisa unattended. The challenges include the financial burden of proper care and the need for constant supervision, as Hannahlisa is a wheelchair user and cannot attend school alone.
Facing limited support after Hannahlisa’s father’s passing last year, Grant was compelled to withdraw her from school due to the lack of an aide.
Grant has applied for Hannahlisa to attend the Randolph Lopez School of Hope, located near Papine in St Andrew, but is anxious about the financial aspect, including transportation costs.
“I would have to find the money for transportation and I don’t have it. I am still awaiting their response in accepting her,” the Seaview Gardens resident said, her eyes filled with tears.
Hannahlisa, despite her concerns about her disabilities, remains resilient. Grant shared, “Several times she asks me, ‘Mommy, when will my hand get better? Mommy, when will my foot get better?’” Grant added, “Otherwise, she doesn’t let herself down. She loves her independence and tries to get up and eat by herself.”
Grant remains hopeful that Hannahlisa, with the necessary treatment and care, will have a bright future.
“It is my desire, and I believe 1,000 per cent that she can come back. God is in the midst because if he wasn’t, she would have been gone long time.”