As you know, life can change in the blink of an eye. Ryan and Beth learned this   through their caregiving journey, caring for their daughter, Maia.

Maia has already endured more than most do in a lifetime. Born with epilepsy, she battled seizures for years, but everything changed last year when she suffered a massive seizure at school that left her unconscious. Within days, Maia lost the ability to walk. Doctors diagnosed her with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a rare and complex condition where the brain’s communication with the body breaks down.

Since then, Maia has faced round after round of hospital stays, therapy, and uncertainty. In March 2025, another seizure rendered her completely paralyzed. She was rushed to Lurie Children’s Hospital, placed on a feeding tube, and lost all ability to move—except for the use of her right arm, which she slowly regained over time. Her voice and spirit remain, but her body is still fighting to catch up.

Lurie Children’s recommended that Maia continue her journey at Nexus Healthcare in Houston, Texas—home to a nationally recognized, intensive six-month FND inpatient program. The program offers hope, but with it comes incredible distance and cost. Her parents, living in Illinois, can only visit once a month due to the program’s restrictions, and the financial burden is staggering. After Maia’s mom was laid off, their family lost insurance coverage and now faces $3,000 a month in COBRA costs—on top of travel, hotels, and meals just to be near their daughter.

This is where Cocktails & Caregivers steps in.

Supporting Our Caregivers

We are committed to helping caregivers like Maia’s family stay close and supported during their hardest days. Our Keeping Caregivers Close grant helps cover travel and lodging expenses so parents don’t have to choose between showing up and staying afloat.

Caregiving has changed Maia’s family forever, reminding them that life can shift instantly. But through their strength, love, and unwavering hope, they show us what it means to rise each day with purpose, and to “Live Loud. Love Deep.”

Join our generous sponsor Round Room Gives along with our monthly giving donors, The Martini Club, to help Cocktails & Caregivers fund grants to assist with selfless caregivers like The Kovermans. Learn more about how you can support the mission at cocktailsandcaregivers.org.