One of the eight victims of the Feb. 13 Michigan State University shooting is improving in the hospital, but additional surgeries will be required, according to an update posted by family members.
Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez is one of the five students left in critical condition after the shooting. Three students have since been discharged from the hospital.
Huapilla-Perez’s family posted an update on their GoFundMe page, which has raised over $478,000. Family confirmed her appetite is returning and she is improving through both physical and occupational therapy.
“With her wounds largely affecting her stomach area and colon, she experienced pain and anxiety when eating,” the GoFundMe page said. “She is not only regaining her appetite, but a confidence in eating. She is still not able to hold much but we see this as an improvement nonetheless.”
Huapilla-Perez’s family said she has found “comfort in doing her own hair care routine” and video chatting with her family in Florida.
Two follow-up surgeries will be required, family confirmed in the update.
“Lupe's wounds have been a great source of pain for her and our family. Three times a week she gets her wound VAC changed and every time she says, ‘No puedo, ya no puedo. Me duele mucho.’ Which translates to ‘I can't, I can't anymore. It hurts too much,’” the update said. “These are words that pain us for many reasons but one being — we have never heard these words from her before. Lupe is the type of person who says ‘I can do this’ to any challenge she sets her eyes on.”
Huapilla-Perez’s family previously wrote that they traveled to Michigan immediately to be with her. As a migrant family from south Florida, the fundraiser was organized to make up for lost wages while away from home, as well as hospital costs.
The fundraiser has exceeded the family’s initial goal. As such, the family asks willing donors to give funds to the Spartan Strong fund or families of other students.
“We recognize this is a hard time to give, it is a tough financial year for many of us, and we want you all to know that this sacrifice of giving is not overlooked,” the update said.
