Hi everyone!

I am reaching out to share the story of my friend Laressa. It’s a story that I never imagined I’d be telling. On May 14th, my friend’s life and the life of her family changed drastically.

Severe pain in her head and neck led her to the hospital in search of answers. Doctors initially suspected meningitis and began treating her as such, performing multiple spinal taps—one of which caused nerve trauma and left her with ongoing numbness and tingling in her right leg.

But things only worsened.

To manage the increasing pain, doctors administered six nerve block injections directly into her scalp. That evening, she suffered what doctors believed to be a seizure-like stroke that left the entire right side of her body paralyzed.

Laressa has now been in the hospital and has had inpatient rehabilitation since May 14th. It has been two months since she saw four of her six precious children because they are under the age of twelve and do not meet the hospital’s age requirements. Two months away from her family, missing her son’s college graduation, and even spending her sixteenth wedding anniversary in a hospital bed.

To make matters even more difficult, her husband took two weeks off work to care for their children while she was hospitalized. His time off was approved by his HR department, but on the last day of his leave, he was unexpectedly fired for exceeding the maximum days allowed during a probationary period... He was not advised about this prior.

Now, both parents are out of work.

They are a faith-filled family doing everything that they can to hold on. They recently purchased their home just a year ago and have poured their hearts into making it a place of safety and joy for their kids. But now, with no income and medical uncertainty still surrounding her condition, they are at risk of losing everything they’ve built—their home, their stability, and their ability to provide for their children’s basic needs.

We are asking, with all sincerity, for your help.

Your donation—no matter the amount—would help them to:

We are not asking for charity for them—we are asking for compassion… for grace… for the chance to breathe again, to stabilize, to keep their children safe and secure as they navigate this storm.

If you cannot give financially, we ask for your prayers, for your shares, for your voice to help carry their story to others who may be able to stand in the gap during this painful and uncertain season.

From the depths of our hearts, thank you… Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring and thank you for believing that love in action still changes lives.

With gratitude and hope.