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LEARA “LIL’ MONEY” DAVISTHE STRUGGLE IS REAL

FOUNDER OF THE RED BEAD FOUNDATION

est. 2012

Ms. Lou

When Leara was little, no one would have ever thought that growth would land her in such a place… There was a point in her life where life wasn’t full of stress and pain, but just Love!

LEARA’S RIGHT-HAND MANMR. ZION

Mr. Zion, Leara’s youngest brother, learned how to aide and assist his sister at a young age and he takes great pride in it….

Of course, with a karate kick or two to get her started …

THE INFAMOUS NANA & GRANDPA

Through the good and the bad; we laugh, we love and we live to be happy!

If food is healing, My grandpa has healed me….If Love is healing, My Nana healed me …

Chey & Leara

My Cousin, My Friend, My Confidant!

No matter whether I’m well or sick, she’s always got my back and I Love Her Dearly for it!

Cheyanne Barnaba also serves on the Board of the Red Bead Foundation and works annually during her summer breaks to contribute to the cause in anyway possible.

My Nana

My Nana….What can I say? There are simply no words to express how I feel about my Nana… She is simply the most beautiful creature I’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering, God must have really thought highly of me to bless me with her.

My Dad

My Dad, Calm, Cool and Collective…I definitely get my personality from this side of my family…We just don’t do a lot of talking, but somehow and someway, You always Understand...

ALL MY UNCLES

Uncle Chris – The Business Man

Uncle Justin – The Star

Uncle Banana – Mr. Money Bags & Uncle Telly

Uncle Put-Putt - The Driver

Uncle Erin – The Genius Uncle Midda – R.I.P.

Uncle Telly – The Gangsta

My Aunts

Auntie Bebe – The Foundation

Auntie Mika – Da Show Stopper

Auntie Ladie – Ms. Brooklyn

Auntie Jackie – Auntie Woo-Woo

Auntie Meme – The Sharp Shooter

Spina Bifida Has No Age Limit Boundaries

I meet a lot of people in my many hospital visits, treatments and stays, but none have impacted me quite as much as she…We walked together on this day, both in our chair, hand and hand…

The Meds

Have you ever heard anyone say, “All medicine isn’t good medicine?” Well, this is the proof in the puddin’, after 5 years of neuropathic pain with Nuerontin, my hair began to fall out and rather cry over spilled milk, I decided to embrace it and shaved it off, adding NoWry’s to the shaved side. This was my way of proclaiming that I would not allow any more stress in my life…No Worries!!

Day 3

VCU Hospital, Nov – 2013, Finally got the IV in and now we just have to get past the pain…

• 25 Sticks in 4 Days for IV Placement – Every Red Mark is a poke

IV Placement at VCU Hospital – Nov of 2013

Have you ever been to the hospital and had to get an IV? Well, I have, as you can see! Every single time I go, I find myself marked like this, if not more… This time it took 25 sticks just so I could get medicine to continue treatment and stop the pain and seizures.

Learning How to Walk Again

You know, for a long time I believed that once you learn how to walk, you really never have to worry about that problem again. Well, I’ve found through my own struggles that this may not always be the case. I have learned how to walk four times now…Each and every time, My Daddy Kenny has been by my side, whether in suit or in his North Face or in his Jordan’s, he’s always there to push me a long and support me through the process. Don’t tell anybody, but sometimes he sneaks me outside of the hospital, so we can shoot the basketball in my chair while I’m in the hospital…IV and All…We Out There! This is always a time I can count on a smile. My Dad doesn’t smile much, but every single time I get up and take a step after losing my legs, he gives a GREAT Big Smile and says, “Praise Jehovah!”

Leara’s Wheelchair

Candy Apple Red – Only the Best for the Best! Customized and Designed by the one and only, Leara “Lil Money” Davis!

Okay. So , I guess you’re wondering, why is this so important? Well, because there was a time when I did not need it and I could not appreciate it, but I have learned to embrace my devices. Sometimes, this is what keeps me moving and busy. The turn of the wheels, using my hands and moving keeps me focused on something else, other than not being able to walk and not knowing when I will walk again. Sometimes it’s all the legs I have. Sometimes, it shows me who my real friends are and sometimes it shows me how much of a friend I am to others. I have learned to love my chair and my chair certainly loves me…

A Real Marine & Real Pilots Georgetown Hospital Christmas

- 2013

You never know who might show up with Santa…. I always wanted to be a Marine. I have hope that one day, someone will give me the honor of serving my country and giving back like they do! I can’t believe that all these people fit in my little room…Wow!

First Psuedoseizure and Treatment November of 2013

Little Known Fact: After a seizure very little can be done. Most patients are immediately released after a quick dose of meds and they don’t even go home on anything. You have to wait to see a doctor specializing in those types of seizures.

EEG Procedure Nov 2013

No privacy during an EEG Study. You are monitored and videotaped for 24 hours to monitor your brain activity as doctors and nurses wait for another seizure episode.

Leara’s Love Family and Her Saxophone

On a lighter note, Leara and her family, and her Sax…What can I say, they were made for each other!!

Leara and DemarquisTogether even at the Hospital -

Big Brother Demarquis always finds his way to Leara no matter where she is, albeit home or the hospital…He’s there for the long haul. A big Brother who just loves his little Sister…Ain’t nothing happening, if you make it pass the TWO Dads and the Dog, Here comes Marquis….

Studying for Success

School is still in the equation…Leara and her studies take priority over just about everything but God and her health! We’re on our second year now of homeschooling because the school system just won’t accommodate Leara’s needs….So, she either fails or her parents teach her and you guessed it….Her Parents have Become her Educators!

She Will Succeed No Matter What the Cost!

You ever had a bully at school,

Well, Leara did too and her bully

was a teacher…. Kids should not

be stressed at school!

Leara and Poela – Poe delivers special books to Leara and shows her how to use them

Even though Leara did not get the opportunity to go to school for the whole year, she was able to go to school on the 1st day of H.S. and attend her 1st Homecoming with a date, who just happened to be a star football player…. Those events made her feel normal once again, as every child should!

Smiling and Praying for ChangeP.U.S.H.

PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS

Leara & Ivy

Leara and her God-sister/cousin, Ivy, share one commonality – Disability…. Leara takes on the Big Sister role to help her through her heart disease and Ivy, the little sister, inspires Leara to keep pushing forward …

Leara’s BFF

“Leara gives me strength to battle whatever comes my way”, says Mom, LaKeasha Coley. However, Leara says, “Without my Mom, I would be lost. She is my rock, my protector and my everything and I love her so much!”

Leara & Mom ALWAYS tough it out together….My Mom says if I have to stay, so does she…Good Thing She Works at Home, I just don’t know what I would do without her there. Now, what do I do about the snoring???

DADDY KENNYMy Daddy, What do I say about my Daddy? He’s like a real-life Super Hero, but better than all the rest. He picks me up in the middle of the night and takes me in. He fights, literally, for my understanding and safe keeping! He Prays for me Daily and he has been the most instrumental person in getting my mind and soul connected to Jehovah! He is amazing and I love him more than words can express. I know many people only get 1 Dad, well, God must have knew what he was doing because he blessed me with 2 and I needed them, too. Sometimes when things become too overwhelming for my Mom, my Daddy jumps right in and picks up the pieces. My Daddy teaches me life skills , he defines the old saying “Give a man a fish and he will eat for one day, but Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime!” My Daddy has taught me how to fish in this cold, cold world and when I’m all out of strength, he fishes for me ; but only temporarily because my Daddy, Dr. Daddy, did not ever and will never raise a quitter.

Now, how can I get him to smile without losing my ability to ambulate???

Well, that’s my story and I’m glad I had the opportunity to share it with you. I hope and pray that my movement, The Red Bead Foundation ,will be suitable to aide you and assist you in your struggle! I pray for you and I have only one request of you…Pray for Me!

The Y’s Kid

LEARA “LIL MONEY” DAVISAKA

THE Y’S KID