October Update

It has been over one year since my sister Selam was injured in the accident. It has been a year filled with challenges for my entire family, but through it all we survived.

I want to thank all the donors and supporters of the Selam Fund. I wish it was possible for me to show my gratitude in person to each and every one of you. Just know that your actions have saved a family and we forever appreciate your kindness. Thank you.

Selam’s recovery is continuing. Her doctors recently ordered leg braces for her and she is in the process of learning to use them. She is also becoming more aware of her bowel and bladder movements.

Our original plan to bring Selam to the United States to get treatment was not successful due to the large amount of money required for the deposit. We have not given up hope, however. Bringing Selam to the US is still our goal, but meanwhile we will continue to work with Ethiopian doctors to provide her with the best treatment available.

  

June update

Hello everyone,

I apologize for not updating the site for such a long time. It has been a busy, hectic time as I work towards my graduation from UC Riverside in June. But I am excited to share some news with you about my sister Selam.

First, thank you to all the people who have donated to this cause. Because of your generosity, my sister is getting physical therapy at Kadisko General Hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. The treatment in Addis may not be as “state-of-the-art” as what is available here in the U.S., but it is definitely better than nothing.

Selam is making great progress and recovering slowly, but surely. She is now able to do many things herself, including, turning over, getting herself off the bed to the floor and using her upper body strength to stand for a few minutes. She can also move her left toes, and has sensation in her feet. She still uses a catheter, but can sometimes feel it when she needs to use the bathroom.

The plan to bring Selam to the US for medical treatment proved to be harder than we all thought but that is still the ultimate goal. We are thankful and grateful for the work of the doctors and therapists in Ethiopia. This experience has been an eye-opener for me, as I think I pictured my home country as it was 11 years ago when I left it. It has changed in many ways since then.

So again, thank you for your support and your kind donations. I hope to update this site more often in the coming months and hope you will check back regularly.

Greetings from Ethiopia

Hello all,

Just wanted to say hi from Ethiopia. For those who didn't know I was coming to Ethiopia, I'm sorry it was a sudden decision.

Selam has been going to a rehab hospital for about two weeks and shes is doing better than when she was in Turkey. I will also share all the details when I return.

Happy Holidays and we thank you for all your support!

Love,
Selam, Mimi, Serkadis, & Samrawit

12/6/20

Hi all,

I am going to Ethiopia tonight. I will be there for one month and will find out the most recent status of Selam. Wish me luck as I return to my birth place after 11 years.

Thank you for all your supports and keep us in your prayers.

With Gratitude,
Serkadis

Selam Fund in the Press Enterprise

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/moreno-valley/moreno-valley-headlines-index/20111015-riverside-ucr-student-fighting-to-bring-sister-here.ece?ssimg=348216#ssStory348218

15 October 2011: Updates from Serkadis

The Ethiopian Medical Board has approved Selam’s case saying she needs treatment abroad! 

 

Next step: we have to find a rehabilitation doctor who is willing to sign off on her case, saying that Selam will get the rehabilitation she needs here in the US. 

 

Then, we have to prove that she will have things like food, shelter, funds for medical care.We are researching the long-term cost of the surgery and treatment, but the next step is actually finding a doctor wiling to help.

 

Once the doctor writes and signs saying she will get treatment here, we will scan the form and email it to Ethiopia so they can let us know what we’re supposed to do next.

 

Thanks to all the support from the community! Please email selamfund@gmail.com if you have information about a possible doctor who would be willing to support Selam.

In gratitude,
Serkadis

Photos from the Hospital in Turkey

Photos from Serkadis' time in Turkey with Selam and Mimi this summer, August-September 2011.