Sad: Dee Of ‘What’s Happening’ Had Dangerous Emergency Surgery, Family Seeks Help

Posted On : October 3, 2018

Remember “Dee” from “What’s Happening!!?” She was the sarcastic, but adorable lil’ sister of the main character, “Raj.”

“Dee Thomas” became a household name and her character was most notably known for her wisecracking banter. A household favorite, Dr. Danielle was recognized as the first Black female child to regularly star in a television series as exhibited in the National Museum of African American history and culture in Washington, D.C.

In real life, the actress who played “Dee,” is Danielle Spencer-David, who later became a veterinarian in Richmond, Virginia. Known for being a child actor, when the series ended, Spencer-David attended University of California-Davis to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. While she has had much success in her career,  sadly, her life has been filled with challenges.

After enduring an accident that occurred over 42 years ago, Spencer-David is still fighting for her life and now she needs all of our help.

‘What’s Happening’ Star Is Fighting For Her Life:

Friends and family members of Danielle are currently asking for the public’s help in any way possible. According to her Go Fund Me page, Spencer-David had been experiencing massive debilitating headaches. The headaches were so severe that Spencer-David was left unconscious. Her family and friends became concerned, as she became unresponsive.

To save her life, Danielle had to undergo brain surgery to remove a bleeding hematoma that formed due to the debilitating car accident four decades ago.

Thankfully, Dr. Danielle is recovering. However, she has a long road ahead. Not only will she have to endure physical rehabilitation, her recovery is unknown. She has had other health challenges, such as cancer and spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, she won’t be able to practice medicine and she will need funds to help with treatment and medication.

Dr. Danielle had no idea that a car accident that occurred 42 years ago, would still be affecting her in the present day.

Danielle Spencer-David Endured A Major Car Accident Resulting In The Untimely Death Of Her Stepfather:

While the actress was playing the iconic character of “Dee,” she endured real physical pain from a horrific car accident that killed her step-father, actor Tim Pelt. As a result of the accident, Spencer-David was in a coma for three weeks and left with a broken pelvis, leg, and arm.

“I was gone from the show for about six months,” said Danielle Spencer, speaking to EURweb . “They stopped taping the show for about a month and I just healed pretty quickly. Basically I had the summer to heal and I came back for the second season.”

Because of the accident, Danielle Spencer-David has dealt with a life of pain and had to undergo surgery in 2003. Thinking that she was okay, Danielle began to feel tingling, which turned to numbness up and down both her legs. To make matters worse, she eventually experienced a stabbing pain in her back. In order to walk again, Spencer-David had to have a disc removed from her back.

Then, in 2014 Danielle discovered she had breast cancer after she administered a self breast exam. After having a biopsy that confirmed she had cancer, Spencer-David opted for a preventative double mastectomy. Because of her disability from the car accident, it made the process of having surgery and chemo slower. Thankfully, she is now cancer free.

Like her self-proclaimed memoir, Spencer-David has been Through the Fire. Let’s hope she continues to push through the fire…possibly bruised, but not broken. Sending loving light and positive energy to “Dee” at this time.

ILOSM fam,’ please be sure to visit her GoFundMe page HERE, if you can.

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We salute the incredible people and beautiful memories of that "old school". We’re not saying that every artist and every facet of the soul era was perfect, but the artists’ contributions to soul music and the old school memories of that particular time are PRICELESS.