Helping Creshala With Her Recovery From Stroke

Destiny Wilson is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Creshala Burfield.

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Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted supporters,

I come to you today to ask for support for Creshala, my sister and best friend. She recently suffered a severe stroke, leaving her nearly completely paralyzed and diagnosed with Locked-In Syndrome days before her 33rd birthday. She has been in the hospital for months, and she was just recently discharged back home with her husband and I where we can care for her and help her recover. Despite the obstacles she faces, her spirit remains unbroken, and we are determined to support her every step of the way.

Creshala started her career as an LPN working in home health, she earned her BS in Health Information Management from UCF and then transitioned to office jobs working for healthcare and insurance companies. Early last year she became fascinated with jewelry making and saw it as a potential way to fulfill her dream of having her own business. She was getting closer and closer to starting, having commissioned a logo and website design, and acquiring initial supplies while practicing making jewelry.

Everything changed late at night Friday the 3rd last November while Creshala and her husband were getting ready to go to sleep. After a couple sneezes she immediately became extremely dizzy and had balance problems, she couldn’t get up or see clearly. They called 911 and she was rushed to the local ER in Lake Mary. After X-Rays and other tests they determined she had a stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the back of her head near her brain stem.

She was then airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center so she could be operated on as soon as possible. The surgery lasted a few hours. We were devastated to hear that they were not able to successfully remove the blood clots and treat the ruptured blood vessel, basically leaving her condition to run its course. A couple days after the initial surgery significant swelling was noticed, so another surgery had to be done to remove a portion of the back/bottom of her skull to allow more space for swelling.

After she was in relatively stable condition at ORMC she was moved to Select Specialty Hospital nearby, there they could continue her medical care while also providing some limited physical therapy. After she got off the ventilator and was breathing on her own she was transferred to Brooks Rehab Hospital in Jacksonville. Creshala and her husband stayed in Brooks for a little over a month, before being discharged home.

As Creshala navigates this challenging chapter of her life, the financial burden of medical expenses and rehabilitation weighs heavily on our family. That's why we've created this GoFundMe campaign – to rally support from our community and provide Creshala with the resources she needs to thrive on her road to recovery.

Your generous donations will directly contribute to:

Medical bills and expenses, including rehabilitation therapy, specialized equipment, and ongoing care.
Purchasing a wheelchair van and/or other transportation costs for medical appointments and therapy sessions.
Relocating to a more wheelchair accessible home to ensure Creshala's safety and comfort.
Everyday living expenses as Creshala adjusts to her new reality.

With your support, we can empower Creshala to overcome the challenges ahead and rebuild her life with strength and dignity. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in her journey. Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your network. Together, we can surround Creshala with love, encouragement, and the resources she needs to reclaim her life and embrace a future filled with possibility.

Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and unwavering support during this difficult time. Your kindness gives us hope and strengthens our resolve as we stand by Creshala’s side on her path to recovery.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Destiny and Creshala's Supportive Family