Miranda is a loving wife, mother to two incredible children (ages 13 and 15), an educator, and a friend to many. Due to Miranda’s polycystic kidney disease, Miranda was in need of a liver and kidney transplant. On December 11, Miranda was able to receive her liver transplant and on December 12, Miranda was able to receive her kidney transplant. Both surgeries went well, and Miranda was making progress, although slow progress. A few days following the surgeries, however, there seemed to be some complications which resulted in a cardiac arrest and further decline following the cardiac incident. Through a number of tests, it was determined that Miranda suffered an anoxic brain injury due to the cardiac arrest, which was what impacted the majority of the decline. 

Miranda’s brain injury is located on the right side of her brain, in the parietal, temporal, and occipital regions, which affect Miranda’s processing of emotions, sensory information, visional recognition, spatial awareness, etc. All this also impacts her motor functions. The complications have been significant, and we have been told Miranda has a very complex case. The best plan forward is to provide as much therapy and stimuli for Miranda’s brain and body to heal. The next 6 months are crucial in her recovery!

Miranda has made good progress some days in terms of speaking, eating, exercising, etc. Other days, she is more confused, less responsive, and tucked into herself. Overall, Miranda is fighting, and so are we. We welcome all who can help rally around Miranda and her family, and we will use this site to provide routine updates, as well as ways people can tangibly support COTA for Mirandas Journey!

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA also works with individuals of any age with a single-gene disorder such as Polycystic Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis or Sickle Cell Disease. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy families. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free of charge and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.