BRYAN, Texas — What started as a checkup with a neurologist for never-before experienced seizures, ended up putting 20-year-old Bryan native, Mallorie Gonzales in the ICU burn unit in Galveston.
Now, her mother is trying to raise awareness of her daughter’s new reality dealing with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a rare serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.
Mallorie Gonzalez started her journey as an employee with the Bryan ISD at Sadberry Intermediate School this year, an extrovert who loved working with kids and helping others.
But soon after, she began having seizures and after many doctor visits and studies, the doctor decided to put her on medication that caused her to develop 'Stevens Johnson Syndrome' which gave her migraines, flu-like symptoms and painful blisters all over her face and body.
“They told us with this syndrome it's going to be a struggle of self-esteem, of depression, of a lot of things to come. You may not be the same as what you were when it started and there’s still a lot of things that can happen that we don’t know yet,” said her mother, Robin Gonzalez.
Mallorie has been in the ICU for the past month, and her mother says they are grateful for Bryan ISD and the community’s prayers and support during what will be a lifelong journey of recovery. However, they still need help, and have set up a GoFundMe to assist with medical bills and travel.
“Mallorie is extremely grateful she cries to me and says I can’t believe so many people love me and its touching to know that our community has reached out because I know it's going to be a long road for her,” said Gonzalez.
As of publish time, the GoFundMe has raised over $8,000 from their $25,000 goal.
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