CLAUDETTE Grant, the mother of Hannahlisa Hall, is expressing gratitude to God for keeping her family strong despite having to care for her sickly teen daughter amid dire financial constraints and her own health problems.

“A God a keep the family together,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “We pray and God keeps the family together.

The mother gave an update on Hall, whose situation was highlighted in an April 4, 2021 publication when she suffered four strokes by the time she was nine years old. Now the situation facing Grant is one that appears to be very daunting, because she has had to stop working just to be there for her daughter, who needs constant attention.

“Hannahlisa has sickle cell disease. She got four strokes. She has made it to this point, but she is still suffering from seizures. The seizures [affect] her very regularly,” Grant explained.

“The doctor gives her seizure medication, but, to me, it is not really helping. The most important part of the situation is that I still give thanks for life for her. There are many situations out there, and by the time you look, an individual is gone. On June 16 she will be 15 years old and she still has life, so I just continue to pray and trust God.

Grant shared that since she was much younger, Hall has spent a significant amount of time going in and out of hospital. She told the Observer that each time the child is admitted, there is a bill she can’t afford, and that causes more problems for her when she can’t readily pay the fees.

“In December, she was admitted at the University Hospital of the West Indies for about three weeks and the bill was $326,000, and all now it don’t pay. They call me every time about it. She went to school one Friday morning and came back home with a fever and a cold. I took her to the hospital and they said she had shortness of breath and admitted her because of her history with sickle cell and seizures. When she presented with the cold and fever, they couldn’t send her home like that,” Grant said.

As tough as the battle may have been over the years, Grant explained that she is doing her best to remain in good spirits and health so she can be there for her daughter every step of the way.

“The other day I was sick. Even now, I am not doing so well. My pressure is high, and about three weeks ago I had belly pain and other bad feelings and I fainted. I was revived and rushed to the hospital. I could not see anything when I was revived. My eye feels better now, but although when they did a blood test they said everything was okay, they still sent me to do an ultrasound and it showed that I have a cyst on the left side of my belly. Hannahlisa depends on me for help, and I don’t feel good within myself. I have to take her to hospital and I also have to go to hospital. It is even worse now to know that financially and in every aspect I need help…”

Those wishing to help Claudette Grant cal call her at (876) 589-1468.

Hannahlisa Hall was diagnosed with full-blown sickle cell disease shortly after birth. In 2017 she suffered the first of four strokes. Prior to that ordeal she was a regular patient in hospital, sometimes two to three times per month.

Hannahlisa Hall flashes bright smile for the camera.

Claudette Grant (left) and her daughter Hannahlisa Hall.