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On Thursday October 10, our sister, aunt, cousin, and dear friend Claudia Van Orden suffered a major stroke in the left side of her brain. Barely 50, she went from being the loving, giving, outspoken woman we all adore to a patient with a traumatic brain injury who cannot currently use her right side, speak her needs, or fully comprehend complex thoughts.
In the week after her stroke, doctors told her family and friends that she would never again think, walk, or understand us. They told us that the Claudia we knew and loved would never be with us again. Her boss fired her. We all started to grieve our loss.
But Claudia had other ideas.
After just three short weeks in the ICU, she can give a thumbs up (yes) or down (no), help manipulate her right side by using her left, swallow pureed foods, and has said the words "I want" even though she was not able to complete the sentence. I think we can finish that sentence for her.
Claudia wants to heal. She wants to speak. She wants to walk. She wants to hug her grand-nieces and -nephews and hang out with her friends. What Claudia doesn't want is to be a drain on others. She doesn't want to lose her independence or her ability to communicate. She doesn't want to lose her home because she lost her job.
As Claudia's family and friends, we have all benefitted from her loving heart. Claudia is a giver first and foremost. She has never missed an opportunity to drive someone to the airport, babysit, or put her money and her walking feet behind causes from cancer to Alzheimer's. If you ask Claudia for help, she will give without hesitation.
Now it's our turn to help Claudia. She needs time to heal and recover with her rehab team without worrying about her bills or mortgage going unpaid. The staff at the rehab facility told us that this is where miracles happen. By giving to this campaign, we can create another miracle for Claudia as she recovers.
Whether you are able to donate $5 or $500, we are asking all of her friends and family to come together and ensure that when Claudia leaves the rehab center -- and she will! -- she can make decisions about her life, her home, and her future without medical debt deciding for her.
Thank you to all who have visited, sent cards, and given to her Venmo account (@Claudia-VanOrden). Every act of love and kindness is appreciated, and Claudia knows that she has a village behind her. She loves you all.
In the week after her stroke, doctors told her family and friends that she would never again think, walk, or understand us. They told us that the Claudia we knew and loved would never be with us again. Her boss fired her. We all started to grieve our loss.
But Claudia had other ideas.
After just three short weeks in the ICU, she can give a thumbs up (yes) or down (no), help manipulate her right side by using her left, swallow pureed foods, and has said the words "I want" even though she was not able to complete the sentence. I think we can finish that sentence for her.
Claudia wants to heal. She wants to speak. She wants to walk. She wants to hug her grand-nieces and -nephews and hang out with her friends. What Claudia doesn't want is to be a drain on others. She doesn't want to lose her independence or her ability to communicate. She doesn't want to lose her home because she lost her job.
As Claudia's family and friends, we have all benefitted from her loving heart. Claudia is a giver first and foremost. She has never missed an opportunity to drive someone to the airport, babysit, or put her money and her walking feet behind causes from cancer to Alzheimer's. If you ask Claudia for help, she will give without hesitation.
Now it's our turn to help Claudia. She needs time to heal and recover with her rehab team without worrying about her bills or mortgage going unpaid. The staff at the rehab facility told us that this is where miracles happen. By giving to this campaign, we can create another miracle for Claudia as she recovers.
Whether you are able to donate $5 or $500, we are asking all of her friends and family to come together and ensure that when Claudia leaves the rehab center -- and she will! -- she can make decisions about her life, her home, and her future without medical debt deciding for her.
Thank you to all who have visited, sent cards, and given to her Venmo account (@Claudia-VanOrden). Every act of love and kindness is appreciated, and Claudia knows that she has a village behind her. She loves you all.
Organizer and beneficiary
Claudia Van Orden
Beneficiary