Help David Recover from His Stroke

Hi – I’m Kenlyn, David’s older sister by two years. We’ve always been close – as adults we were even roommates for a few years – and when he lived nearby, we saw each other at least once a week.

David is one of those wonderfully nerdy souls who can – and often does – talk for hours about video games, computers, or his latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign. He’s kind, loyal, and the kind of person who quietly helps others long before asking for help himself.

Recently, David moved to Yuma, Arizona, with our mom and stepdad (who is battling prostate cancer). The move brought challenges. Finding steady work took time, and like many people facing high costs, David fell behind on bills. Just a few weeks ago, he finally started a new job at Fry’s Grocery Store and was excited to start moving forward again.

But on Sunday, October 5, only three and a half weeks into his new job, David suffered a hemorrhagic stroke caused by extremely high blood pressure. He was rushed to the hospital and then airlifted to Phoenix, where doctors discovered a brain bleed in the pons region of his brainstem – a critical area that controls balance, coordination, and facial movement.

David also lives with chronic kidney disease and hyperparathyroidism, which have made managing his blood pressure especially difficult and increase his medical needs during recovery. These underlying conditions mean his healing process will be more complex (and more expensive) but he’s staying strong and determined to get through this.

The stroke has left him with numbness, partial paralysis of his eyes, loss of balance, and slurred speech. At one point, his blood pressure reached 300/195 – a level that could have easily been fatal. Thankfully, the bleed has stopped, and his blood pressure is now under control. He’s alert, mentally sharp, and, in true David fashion, facing this new challenge with his humor intact. When I asked him how he was doing last night, he said, “Yeah… this kinda sucks,” and managed a small laugh.

He’s been hit hard, but he’s still himself. That’s David and I’m so incredibly proud of the bravery he’s showing right now.

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Why We’re Asking for Help

David doesn’t have health insurance and faces weeks or months of physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain his strength and independence. He’s already behind on bills, and with no income while he recovers, it’s impossible for him to cover medical costs, daily living expenses, and the long-term therapy he’ll need.

David has a job waiting for him as soon as he’s able to return to work. But right now, he needs help bridging that gap.

Every donation, no matter the size, will go toward:

• Medical expenses and medications

• Rehabilitation therapy

• Rent, utilities, and essential bills while he focuses on recovery

If you can’t give, please consider sharing this campaign to help spread the word.

From our family to yours – thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping David get back to his life.

With love and gratitude,

Kenlyn and family