On August 23. 2021 2 years ago today, a blood clot traveled up to my brain stopping the blood flow and nearly took my life. At 25 years old I had a stroke that left me paralyzed on my left side, blind in my left eye, short term memory loss, and paresthesia on the left side of my body from my toes to my head. I had to re-learn how to walk, use my left arm, and regain my cognitive function - all in silence. I was forced to quit my full time job, drop out of college, all while raising my boy as a single mother without any child support that year as I fought for not just my life but his. For 2 years I have masked my disability as I navigate family court in pursuit of full custody of my child. After years of strenuous physical, occupational, and speech therapy I am now at a place where my recovery has “peaked” according to science. (not God) Today I have lasting symptoms of numbness on my entire left side, no motor control in my left arm, and short term memory loss. But, I am alive. I am living proof that you do not need bruises to be abused. That emotional and psychological abuse can in fact kill you as the high amount of stress was a factor in my stroke. 

This is my living testimony and the miraculous ways in which God has weaved in and out of my journey with his handprints in everything. 

I want to thank Sarah and Austin Drake for adding joy to my hospital room, John Dillon for watching movies with me despite not being able to really “see” or “comprehend” it (lol) Amber for bringing me sushi so that I could get a break from rehab food. Pastor Jared Bridge and Anchor church for putting together meal trains and praying for me in the hospital. Nadia for bringing me Starbucks every week and being my friend in the high places and the lowest places. Kate and Justin for being willing to care long term for my son if I had died. My mom for caretaking over me and my son. Brayden for loving me and showing me that my disability doesn’t take away from my worth and pushing me to continue healing. Rebekah Choi for her encouragement as an OT to encourage me not to give up as my healing point has “peaked”. My neurologist Dr. Girotra at UNMH for caring for me and advocating for me. And every single physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist at Encompass and Press Health plex that  joined my team to help me rebuild my life again. I have mad respect for professionals in this field and I do not know where I would be without your commitment to my healing.