Hi, my name is Latora, and I’m reaching out with a humble heart during one of the most difficult times in my life.

I am a mother to 3 amazing children who are truly my best friends. Being separated from them during this time has been heartbreaking. I missed the first day of school and was unable to take them back to school shopping.

Around August 11th or 12th, I suffered a mild stroke that affected the entire left side of my body. i had been feeling unwell and When I woke up after about 8 hours of sleep, something was seriously wrong. I had slurred speech, a left sided facial droop, and was completely unable to stand or move my left side.

I was rushed to Mercy Hospital by ambulance around 5 PM and spent 7 days in the ICU. On August 19th, I was transferred to Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute for intensive inpatient rehab, where I spent the next 3 weeks learning how to walk again and how to manage daily life using only my right arm and hand. As of September 10th, after 3 weeks I was discharged from Courage Kenny and I am now continuing in-home rehab, but I still cannot use my left arm, and my recovery journey is far from over.

Before the stroke, I worked as a patient escort at North Memorial Hospital, However, due to the physical demands of the role and my current condition, I don’t know when—or if—I’ll be able to return.

I'm currently unable to work and have no steady income, all while facing growing medical bills, rehab costs, and the need to care for my children during this critical time.