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On January 18th, 2020, my sister Julia suffered two hypertensive strokes that left her paralyzed on the left side and with verbal impairment. While the news was devasting, she maintained her sense of humor and later apologized for the crappy birthday present. January 18th was also my birthday and I had been expecting our traditional 5 am call with a heinous rendition of Happy Birthday to you. Instead, I received a call that she couldn't use her left leg and asking if it could be a stroke. It was definitely a stroke and a second more devastating stroke followed less than a day later.
I regret to say that like 30.4 million Americans, Julia does not have insurance. This is where the true challenge lies. Stroke patients have a short window of 3 - 4 months to agressively engage in physical, occupational, and speech therapy to train the undamaged portions of their brain to recognize and control left side motor skills and speech. It is as if her brain does not realize she has a left side. This is where a lack of insurance is at its worst. The hospital cannot release her and until she can perform certain functions on her own, including using a walker on her own and getting out of bed. In order to regain this ability is she needs aggressive therapy for 3 hours per day at a rehabilitation hospital. Without insurance, no rehabilitation hospital will accept her. The hospital is doing what they can but it's not enough.
Julia is on FMLA so her job is protected but she has been denied disability. The medical expenses, after a month in the hospital, are more than she can ever repay. She will try, once she can return to work, but she has a long recovery ahead and only with the right care.
This is why we are asking for your help. Every dollar raised through this campaign will go towards a rehabilitation hospital so Julia can walk again. So she can gain independence and take care of herself again. Please share, donate whatever you can, and pray for her recovery. We wish you many blessings.
Humbly yours, Julia's bratty little sister,
Lara
I regret to say that like 30.4 million Americans, Julia does not have insurance. This is where the true challenge lies. Stroke patients have a short window of 3 - 4 months to agressively engage in physical, occupational, and speech therapy to train the undamaged portions of their brain to recognize and control left side motor skills and speech. It is as if her brain does not realize she has a left side. This is where a lack of insurance is at its worst. The hospital cannot release her and until she can perform certain functions on her own, including using a walker on her own and getting out of bed. In order to regain this ability is she needs aggressive therapy for 3 hours per day at a rehabilitation hospital. Without insurance, no rehabilitation hospital will accept her. The hospital is doing what they can but it's not enough.
Julia is on FMLA so her job is protected but she has been denied disability. The medical expenses, after a month in the hospital, are more than she can ever repay. She will try, once she can return to work, but she has a long recovery ahead and only with the right care.
This is why we are asking for your help. Every dollar raised through this campaign will go towards a rehabilitation hospital so Julia can walk again. So she can gain independence and take care of herself again. Please share, donate whatever you can, and pray for her recovery. We wish you many blessings.
Humbly yours, Julia's bratty little sister,
Lara