When Kahaone “Kaha” Kelau’s headaches escalated into seizures and strokes after he returned to Hawaii last year, his family went from doctor to doctor looking for answers. The eventual diagnosis was as rare as it was devastating: valley fever that had spread to his brain. The 21-year-old is now largely unable to speak or move, communicates with an eye-tracking device, and remains in long-term care in Phoenix. His mother says getting him to a specialized center in Arizona ran close to six figures, and it is still unclear whether he will ever be able to return home.
Laura Kelau says she stumbled on an online video from a valley fever survivor that mentioned a Mayo Clinic specialist, which quickly became the family’s lifeline. They arranged an air medevac flight to Phoenix that cost about $96,000, according to ABC15. Once Kaha arrived, Mayo staff tried to bring a bit of home to him, even organizing a luau-themed birthday celebration in his hospital room. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign…..