Helping Ashley Heal: Community for a Life Well-Lived

If you’ve ever met Ashley, you know this immediately: She is pure joy in human form.

A digital nomad with a heart of gold, Ashley radiates warmth and spreads good vibes wherever she goes. She’s currently pursuing her dream of growing her herb and tea business - using the natural wonders of the earth to help heal individuals and communities. Even a brain injury hasn’t stopped her journey. Digital nomad, now with a side of brain healing - not exactly on the itinerary, but here we are.

Recently, Ashley experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a sudden fainting episode, which caused her to fall and hit her head. What followed was terrifying: a fractured skull, a brain bleed, and a ruptured eardrum. She was hospitalized in San Diego and spent time in the ER and ICU under the care of an incredible medical team. I had the privilege of flying out to be part of her care team during her ICU stay and early days of recovery at home. Watching Ashley heal has been remarkable. Her strength and determination have been on full display, especially as she’s already made impressive strides in regaining short-term memory.

TBI recovery is not linear. Doctors describe it as a “two steps forward, one step back” process. As a digital nomad, Ashley’s work is fully computer - and phone-based, requiring focus, memory, and multitasking. Retraining the brain to do this kind of work takes time, patience, and rest.

She will be out of work for at least a few more weeks, and even once she’s cleared to return, neurologists have shared that getting back to full working capacity may take one to four months. Healing takes energy—and right now, that energy needs to be focused on recovery.

Ashley received outstanding medical care in San Diego and traveled by Amtrak back to Texas, where she’ll continue healing with the love and support of her family and longtime friends.

Medical bills add up quickly - especially after an ER visit and ICU stay. Ashley is currently uninsured, and while there are organizations that help support uninsured patients, costs for follow-up neurological appointments, imaging, therapy, and recovery care continue to accumulate. Without insurance, decisions about care can become incredibly difficult. While the scariest part of this journey is thankfully behind her, the road ahead includes continued neurological care and, hopefully, therapy to support memory, word recall, and multitasking as her brain heals and rebuilds.

If you’ve ever known someone with a traumatic brain injury, you know the process is long and demanding. And if you know Ashley - if you love Ashley, have been lifted by her energy, or want to cheer her on from afar - we invite you to be part of her recovery journey. Any financial support you feel called to share would mean the world. Just as meaningful are your prayers, good vibes, encouragement, and love. We truly believe in the power of community, and in the incredible ripple effect that happens when people show up for one another.

Please feel free to share this fundraiser within your communities. Ashley has an army behind her, and we are endlessly grateful to have you on her team. Send messages, photos, funny voice notes, and reminders of joy - Ashley has not lost her spunk, her laughter, or her love for life. We are so grateful to have her here, healing, and surrounded by love. Thank you for being part of Ashley’s village.