#Joya’sJourneyWithMoyaMoya

T hose who are struggling

O ften do not ask for help.

H ard times hit all of us at some point

E mbrace your call to give

L et your good fortune help others

P eople helping people makes this world a better place!

Joya is my sister….my first best friend. Over the past four years our family has watched her valiantly face a rare and devastating disease known as MOYAMOYA. This disease affects only about 1 out of a million people, and causes the arteries that supply blood to the brain to narrow and close. 

I am Kenyon, Joya’s brother. My purpose for sharing Joya’s story today is twofold. First, to bring more awareness about MoyaMoya, and second, to help raise money to aid Joya and her family with their mounting medical bills. Every donation will help, and is deeply appreciated.

 

My sister suffered her first stroke in 2019. The effects of which brought an end to her 20-year career as a beloved 5th grade teacher in Michigan. Doctors found that the stroke was caused by a narrowing of the carotid artery. A stent was immediately put in place to preclude another stroke, but a follow up appointment revealed that the newly placed stent had become almost entirely BLOCKED! After several invasive procedures and many months of tests to rule out other conditions, Joya was diagnosed with the rare disease MoyaMoya. Joya has since continued to suffer strokes during the last year while waiting for clearance to undergo a delicate brain surgery, which was her only hope to resolve these life-threatening strokes.

 

On August 31, 2023, Joya underwent brain surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. Initially the team of doctors felt it was a complete success, but unfortunately, two days later, while still recovering in ICU, Joya suffered another stroke. This stroke was significant, and affected the movement of her left arm and leg. Joya will require several more days of additional care at the Cleveland Clinic and will then need to be medically transported back to Michigan to begin inpatient treatment as well as several months of outpatient rehab. 

 

The medical debt from the past four years, plus the cost of her recent surgery, and now the need for months of additional rehab is overwhelming.

 

Joya has always been a generous, caring person who unselfishly shared her time and talent with those around her. Now, this is her time of need. We humbly ask you to consider making a donation to aid Joya and her family during this challenging time. 

 

If you cannot donate, please share Joya’s story on social media. The more people who know about MoyaMoya disease and Joya’s courageous journey, the more likely we will be able to secure the money needed to relieve this debt.