Erica Wilson, 12, went from living the life of a normal little girl to not being able to feel or use her legs in the span of a day. Doctors diagnosed her with transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines transverse myelitis as an inflammation across one level, or segment, of the spinal cord. Inflammation usually occurs at the upper back level causing signals coming from the lower back not to be received. This causes the loss of ability to control muscles and organs below the lower back.
The prognosis is unclear for Wilson, the daughter of Jamie and Brandon McDaniel, as she might make a full or nearly-full recovery, have a partial recovery, or remain with these symptoms for the rest of her life.
Wilson stayed a month at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham getting treatment and therapy before returning to Childersburg where her mother now constantly stays with her.
To provide financial and spiritual assistance to the family, a benefit concert is being held for Wilson at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Childersburg on Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $6.
Aimee Morris is helping to organize the event and said several Christian rock bands are scheduled to perform including Sylacauga’s Keep Your Guard. Morris’s son, Clay Morris, plays in that band.
“Clay and the band got together and felt they needed to do something, so they started making calls and sending messages to all these other bands they have met and many of them agreed to come at their own cost to play,” Morris said.
The Rev. Alan Bailey, from Mobile, is scheduled to come up and deliver a special message at the service, as well. Wilson and her parents are also expected to attend and enjoy the festivities.
All the money raised will go toward helping Wilson and her family.
Morris said people who want to contribute but will be unable to attend the concert can leave donations at Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union locations or mail donations to her at the Coosa Pines Branch at P.O. Box 728, Cropwell, AL 35054.
Checks should be made out to Jamie McDaniel and should signify they are meant for Erica Wilson’s expenses on the memo line of the check.
