Hello everyone, my name is Lori Covington. I’m a single mom. I have 2 children, one age 30 and another age 13. On December 12, 2025, I suffered an ischemic stroke, which is basically when a blood clot or plaque buildup blocks a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, cutting off oxygen. My 13-year-old found me lying on the floor in my kitchen (don’t know how long I was out before being found… all I remember is sliding slowly down to the floor).

I was hospitalized for a week and in ICU for 3 of those days.

I was rushed to the hospital (Atrium Health Union), where I found out what all was happening. The doctors told me I needed to be flown to Cabarrus Atrium Hospital because the procedure that needed to be done to remove the clot was unable to be performed at Union Atrium. A mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive, life-saving procedure to remove blood clots from large brain vessels during an acute ischemic stroke. This is my 2nd stroke my 1st was March 28, 2022. If I must say so myself, I am a walking miracle. I’m very blessed to be here today. This has taken a toll on me and my family, financially, emotionally, and physically.