CHICO, Calif. -- "We're looking for the light and we're finding it both in the small things with Maisie and in humanity," said Shawn Boland.
Boland has been by his daughter Maisie's side ever since she was left paralyzed in a rollover car crash last Thursday, Aug. 29. The 18 year old fromGuerneville had just started her first semester at Chico State, studying early childhood development. She's now recovering from her second spinal surgery.
Shawn said the crash left her upper spine broken at theC5 and C6 vertebra. Fortunately, her cord is still in tact. Shawn says they've seen improvements in the last few days as Maisie is regaining feeling in parts of her body and is able to move her shoulders and arms, although there is still no motor control in her hands.
"She can't use her arms or legs, even just scratching her face, we have to do that," Shawn said.
According to Maisie's father, she's always been fiercely independent.
"There's a strength that comes from her that she never even sees in herself," he said. "She feels really weak right now, mentally emotionally physically but I told her strength isn't doing stuff because you feel strong, strength is feeling weak and doing it anyway."
Shawn says he's never been one to ask for help, instead opting to help others online. He's built a following on social media creating TikToks with offbeat pep talks on mental health. His local community, along with his online community, have so far, raised more than $143,000 as of Thursday. He said he's also thankful for his assistance from his colleagues at theSan Francisco Bar Pilots.
"I've never felt anything like this before. It's like thousands of digital hands are just behind my whole family," he said. "Thousand of total strangers that are just becoming family in a way... I'll never have enough words to say 'thank you' and this is the best I can do."
The family is raising money to help with expenses relating to Maisie's recovery on GoFundMe. If you can't donate financially, the family also welcomes prayers and positive thoughts.
"I really feel like consciousness can affect matter," he said. "Sitting there in the ICU every day, I felt very helpless and I thought the one thing I can do is try to get people to gather around her."