Hi! Most people in SoCal and at the YMCA know me as Bakah (lol), but my name is Kim and I'm Ronnie's sister. The photo I've shared here is the last family picture taken of them in 2017 — before everything changed. I'm setting up this page to support my brother Ronnie, his wife Shannon, and their family — a family who has been enduring an incredibly difficult journey that is far beyond what most of us can imagine. As Ronnie's big sister, I've always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect him, to show up when life gets hard — and right now, his world is harder than it’s ever been. Since 2017, they've faced near-constant medical crises. They’ve pushed through unimaginable challenges with strength and resilience, rarely asking for help. Ronnie and Shannon’s two children — now both affected by a rare, complex neuro-immune genetic disorder — are battling daily struggles that impact every part of their lives. Their daughter’s health took a sudden and severe turn in 2017, leading to repeated relapses and heartbreaking losses of skills many of us take for granted. In 2022, their son began to decline in a similar way. By 2023, Shannon — the steady rock of the family — also began experiencing the same symptoms. Now, all three — both kids and their mother — are navigating brain injury, intensive treatments, and an uncertain future. My brother Ronnie, who has also faced serious health issues, continues to carry as much as he possibly can — holding everyone together while trying to keep up with endless responsibilities. Before all of this, Shannon filled their home with healthy, home-cooked meals — many made with ingredients from her garden. But now her days are consumed with impossible decisions: Should she sleep or go to therapy? Care for the kids or coordinate with providers? Fight the insurance companies or try to help her children simply attend school? She rarely gets a chance to just be — a mom, a wife, or even take a moment for herself. On top of everything, Ronnie and Shannon also help care for Shannon’s elderly parents, one of whom has Parkinson’s and dementia. There is little community support for families dealing with rare and complex illnesses like this. The isolation can be just as heavy as the illness itself. Ronnie has spent his career serving the San Diego community through the YMCA. Shannon, a licensed family therapist, worked for the county helping at-risk and vulnerable populations. She hasn't been able to work since their daughter’s first major decline. Their hope is to one day regain stability — not just for their own family, but so they can pay it forward and help others walking this same hard road. When I asked them what they needed most, the answer was simple: meals. But also, the little things that become monumental when you're in survival mode — grabbing a few groceries, weeding a flower bed, playing ball with the kids for 10 minutes. If you’re able to help in any way, thank you. A warm meal or small act of kindness means more than you can possibly know to this family right now.