From Shari: “Hello friends and family, Thank you to all of my amazing village who has shown me love and support this week! I have had a bit of a bumpy start to 2020 and have had a medical situation come up that has put my life into tailspin. I have been out in California since June to help my mother fix her living condition and get her medically safe and sound. I became her 24-hr caregiver until we can get her back on track and was hoping to get back to Florida soon.  But as they say, life comes at you as soon as you have plans.   I experienced two (possibly 3) strokes during on January 13th and 16th. These TIA strokes have left me with a paralyzed arm and leg on my right side. I have been in two hospitals here in Bakersfield and am currently in encompass health rehabilitation facility that specializes in stroke and other long term disabilities. I also had a fall off a hospital bed that fractured my eye socket - yep looking good! It has been a very scary time and I do not know yet what might be the long term options for walking and using my arm or hand again. I am trying to work as hard as possible here to get anything back in use. It is hell and I hurt all over, but I want it so bad I can’t give up.  They can only help so long and then it is up to me to continue. I need help and I am working with a social worker to try and find as many resources as I can for my recovery, but they won’t be able to provide for all of my needs - like a specialized walker, transport wheelchair and outside physical therapy. This will be a large financial part which I will need every day for a bit to keep muscles and such from deteriorating quickly. I am embarrassed to ask for help for this but I have very, very, limited financial ground under me right now. I am not able to apply for any disability due to my all my years working in Cayman. I did not register here in the us, and I have not been able to work while helping my mom get back to normal. Now I need the help to be normal.   I promise to pay it forward for any assistance my family and friends can offer - and if you can’t, you are still a part of my tribe that makes my heart still beat every day. Thank you in advance and I am eternally grateful for everything and especially for still being here.”   ~Shari, healing in Bakersfield