Help Justin Heal: Stroke Recovery Fund

My name is Michael, and I'm raising money for my brother, Justin, who just suffered a stroke at only 36 years old....his first in nearly seven years.

What Happened:

On October 5th, Justin was relaxing after Sunday dinner with his wife, Chelsey, and their three kids (Bentley, Calvin, and Shelbi) when suddenly he became completely unresponsive. Chelsey acted quickly and called 911. While she was on the phone, Justin began clutching his chest in severe pain.

He was rushed to the hospital where emergency scans revealed he'd had a TIA (commonly known as a mini stroke). Justin lost most of the use of his left side, began slurring his words, and now requires a walker to get around. He's facing months of neurological physical therapy, occupational therapy, and ongoing specialist appointments to figure out what caused this and prevent something worse.

Why This Is So Alarming:

For those who know Justin, this brings back devastating memories. Back in 2017, at just 28 years old, Justin had a major hemorrhagic stroke on Halloween night while trick-or-treating with his young children. He bent down to give his youngest a water bottle, stood up, and collapsed on a close friend's driveway.

That stroke was caused by an undiagnosed PFO (a hole between the upper chambers of his heart that allowed blood to mix), forming a clot that traveled to his vertebral artery and ruptured over his cerebellum. Before doctors discovered and surgically repaired the PFO in January 2018, Justin suffered five additional TIAs.

After the surgery, the strokes stopped completely. Justin has been seeing a cardiologist yearly, and for nearly seven years, he's been stroke-free......Until now.

The fact that Justin is having strokes again after nearly seven years raises serious questions. Doctors need to figure out what's causing these new episodes and how to prevent a major stroke from happening.

Why We're Asking for Help:

Justin works in IT for a construction company and has always been the provider for his family. With this recent stroke, he's unable to work while undergoing intensive therapy and recovery. Meanwhile, the medical bills are piling up:

Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs for all of this care are overwhelming. Chelsey is doing everything she can to support Justin's recovery while taking care of their three kids, but the financial burden is becoming impossible to manage alone.

Our Goal:

We're hoping to raise $10,000 to help cover Justin's medical expenses, therapy costs, and lost income while he recovers. Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping Justin get the care he needs and keeping his family afloat during this difficult time.

How You Can Help:

Justin has always been someone who helps others, now he needs our help. If you're unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign with your network. Your support means the world to our family.

Thank you for taking the time to read Justin's story and for any help you can provide.