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Hello lovely people,
I’m reaching out to ask for your support for my best friend and Soul Sista, Jo Jo. This music, fun loving, generous, hilarious, one of a kind, wonderful human being has had the most horrendous 2 years of her life after a stroke and bleed on the brain as well as other health complications. Although our amazing NHS saved her life and have provided her with rehabilitation, this has now come to an end. Jo is paralysed, in a wheelchair and reliant on a stairlift at home, so with your help I want to raise enough money to fund private, regular Neuro Physiotherapy sessions to get her walking again. So, let’s get Jo back on her feet!
Background
Two years ago, Jo’s life changed dramatically. What started as being under the weather for a couple of months and being sent for a routine breathing test turned into a whirlwind of hospital visits eventually being hospitalised, a cancelled holiday to celebrate her husband Steve’s 50th Birthday, and a devastating stroke and bleed on the brain that left her paralysed down her right side. She spent the 1st year of recovery between Hospital and residential rehabilitation and has since been at home with community support. Timeline below:
- Aug 2023: After months of being unwell and not understanding what was wrong with her, she was first hospitalised at Good Hope Hospital with Kidney failure days before she was due to go on an American Holiday.
- Sep 2023: Had her first stroke and bleed on the brain. She was in a critical condition, nearly died and was left with severe paralysis.
- Oct 2023: Transferred to QE Hospital; extensive testing for vasculitis and other conditions including Limes Disease and Lupus.
- Nov 2023: Moved to Stroke Ward at Good Hope.
- Dec 2023: Began residential rehabilitation at Hunters Moor.
- Jan 2024: Second stroke; hospitalised again.
- Mar 2024: Blood clots in lungs; hospitalised for 2 weeks then resumed residential rehabilitation
- Jul 2024: Returned home at last with daily carers and some community physio.
- Sept 2024: Sudden death of her much-loved Brother-in-law (Mark) setback her recovery
- Apr–Aug 2025: Attended intensive brain injury rehabilitation which has now ended.
Despite all this, Jo has never lost her positive attitude and strength. She’s battled through this life changing experience with her amazing sense of humour and pure determination. Two years on she’s now home, supported by carers, but Jo needs specialist neuro physiotherapy to continue her recovery and get her walking again, and with no more sessions covered by the NHS I want to raise some money to support her in reaching this goal.
Why it matters:
- Jo has made incredible progress, but she urgently needs more rehabilitation.
- Neuro physiotherapy could be the key to unlocking further recovery.
- She deserves the chance to live life fully again and get back her independence.
How you can help:
- Donate whatever you can—every pound counts.
- Share this page with friends, family, and anyone who might be willing to support such a good cause.
- Send Jo your love and encouragement—she reads every message!
Thank you so much for supporting Jo on her journey. With your help she can walk independently again and get back to living life to the full. In fact she told me recently that her new goal is to do a 5K run in the next 2 years, so I expect to see a few of you signing up too!
With love and gratitude,
Donna xxx
Organizer and beneficiary
Joanne Townsend
Beneficiary