Karen's Stroke

Hi, my name is Karen Rasmussen. I am 47 years old. I am a single mom of a smart and funny 9-year-old son. I suffer from degenerative disc and joint disease which took me out of a profession I loved, owning and teaching at a preschool licensed for 30 kids ages 2-5 years old. The pain in my shoulders, hips, and knees forced me to quit and sell the school and go on SSDI 15 years ago. I am also a survivor of domestic violence, have diabetes type 2, have chronic pain in my back due to several herniated discs, and neuropathy in both of my legs, just to name a few of the obstacles I have faced and am still facing today. On or around 9/19/2022 I had a stroke. It has left me unable to drive, cook, clean, do laundry, shower, or be left alone at home for more than a couple/few hours at a time because of the very high risk of falling. My left arm and leg are extremely weak and I am unable to walk without a walker. I stutter and stammer when I speak now and often have trouble finding the words I want to say. I have been having difficulty swallowing even the tiniest bites of food on occasion gaining more frequency as my recovery progresses. Because I am unable to be at home alone for long periods of time I require someone to be here overnight. Medi-Cal and Medicare do cover the cost of In Home Support Services but only 8 hours a day. Anything else has to be paid for out of pocket. Since I was already struggling to get by before the stroke this added expense is definitely not within my means. My doctor has said that I can make a full recovery in 3-6 months time with physical, occupational, and speech therapies and I am determined to work hard and accomplish that goal. I am more than willing to do the work I need to do to get my life back but I need your help. I can and will achieve my goal but I can't put 100% into it if I'm constantly worried about how to pay someone to stay nights with me to keep me safe. I've faced many obstacles and challenges in my life and am proud to say that I've conquered all of them. Please help me keep a perfect record by taking some of the stress and strain and worry off of my shoulders. I promise I will be back better than ever and a whole lot stronger. Thsnk you!