As many of you know, Emily Swanson (Basurco) recently had a bad stroke on October 7th, 2015. It was a surprise to us all, as she is only 42 years old. 

On the day it happened, Emily began her morning ritual of going into her daughter's room to wake her up and get her ready for school.  Sitting on the side of Nina's bed, she was suddenly not able to talk or move. She had lost full mobility on her left side. Nina got pretty scared and confused. She thought her mom was dying and immediately called Sean to help.

Sean found her on the floor of the room not talking or moving. He got her into the car and drove as fast as he could to the hospital. Soon after, Emily was flown via helicopter to another hospital in Denver and had brain surgery (thrombectomy), to get the blood clot out, while she was alert. She was then in ICU and recovering in the hospital for a few days. Miracuously, Emily has made almost a full recovery. 

Nina saved her life and Emily feels that Nina is her angel. 

My husband, Forest and I, have created this GoFundMe for Emily because our biggest hope is that she can fully recover and have the rest time, healing time and resources that she truly needs before she can consider going back out into the work world.

In addition to an outpouring of love and prayers from friends and family all over the country, there has been a meal train set up for Emily and family which has been so helpful to them. But many people have been asking what else they can do for Emily.  This GoFundMe campaign is a way to give everyone an option to do something more.

Emily and Sean don't yet know what the medical bills will cost and how much her insurance will cover. This kind of financial stress can be super challenging while trying to recover from such an intense health event.

We want her to have the rest time so that she can fully recover. She is starting out-patient phsycial therapy on her left arm which still needs some help, so she will not be able to work during this time.  

Emily has given so much to so many of us and our children, and I know that so many folks in the community around her want to give back to her in some way. 

Emily has been a teacher at Jarrow Montessori School for many years. She was our son, Noah's, kindergarten teacher and he adored her.  

We would be honored for you to give any amount that feels good to you. Emily will be grateful for any financial help that comes through. 

Now, if you know Emily, you know that she's a giver and that it's not easy for her to receive anything. She was uncomfortable at first when I mentioned this to her because she didn't want to ask anything of anyone. Despite that, however, she could really use our support right now. She feels like she's been given a second chance to live her life, and that she's been so lucky to have recovered so well already.

Let's see how much we can help this dear, shining light of a woman littlerally get back on her feet and start the next chapter of her life...a chapter where she will, no doubt, work hard to give her gifts to so many more children and families.

Thank you dearly for reading all of this and for donating to this fund to help Emily start the next chapter of her life, if you feel inspired to do so.

All the best,
~Bari, Forest and Noah.