On November 29, Tonya and Tyler Raaf rushed their 13-year-old daughter, Tinley, to Holton Community Hospital after she exhibited alarming symptoms, including extreme lethargy, difficulty speaking, and an inability to stay awake. The situation escalated quickly, as shortly after arriving at the hospital, Tinley fell into a coma. She was later transferred to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Overland Park, where she remained in a coma for five days.
Fortunately, Tinley woke up, and her recovery journey began. As an eighth-grader at Holton Middle School, she was diagnosed with meningitis and encephalitis caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, according to a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend. Her mother shared that within a day of waking, Tinley started speaking again and began eating the following day.
For the past few weeks, Tonya has been by her daughter’s side at the hospital while Tyler has been balancing his time at home with their 11-year-old son, Tye, and visiting Tinley daily, despite the 90-minute drive. Tyler described the experience as a terrifying roller coaster, expressing immense gratitude for the support they’ve received.
In a heartwarming twist of fate, Tinley, a devoted fan of Taylor Swift, had the chance to meet the superstar during her hospital visit. Dream come true for the young Swiftie, Tinley chatted with Swift about her favorite players from the Kansas City Chiefs, including Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Swift surprised Tinley with a signed copy of her “Eras Tour” book and, shortly after, she received a beautifully wrapped Dyson airwrap blow dryer accompanied by a note from Swift, which read, “T, in case Santa doesn’t come through … love, Taylor.”
This thoughtful gesture left the Raaf family deeply moved. Tonya expressed her appreciation for Swift’s kindness, emphasizing the personal connection and understanding she had with the children during her visit. “It was incredible to see how she interacted with them,” Tonya remarked.
The Raaf family is hopeful to be back home before the holidays, marking a positive turning point in their journey as they navigate through this challenging time with gratitude and support from their community.
In summary, this story not only highlights Tinley Raaf’s difficult journey through illness and recovery but also captures the joy and hope brought to her and her family by a surprise visit from Taylor Swift. The power of kindness and community support shines through, reminding us of the importance of connection and compassion in times of struggle.