Lakeasha's Stroke Recovery Fund

Happy holiday season, everyone.

Our beloved Keasha needs support after suffering back-to-back strokes.

An otherwise healthy 48-year-old, Keasha’s first major stroke suddenly occurred on Saturday, October 29th, while having dinner with a co-worker. It was indeed a blessing that paramedics could quickly get her to the hospital within the 4-hour treatment window for stroke patients. After being admitted to ICU, doctors found a bleed on her brain from a blood clot that had burst.

Six days later, on Friday, November 4th, she returned home to her family and circle of supportive friends. Sadly, she was only home for one whole day before another stroke struck! She was rushed back to the hospital and again admitted to ICU. Unfortunately, the second stroke was more aggressive, leaving her unable to speak and affecting mobility in her right side, particularly her arm.

On Monday, November 21st, Keasha was transferred to a rehabilitation center where her healing journey truly begins. She will be at the rehabilitation center for several weeks and will need a full-time caregiver once she is released to go home.

Your support, along with your prayers, is what she needs most right now. However, the path ahead is very uncertain, as she is not expected to be able to return to work with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for several months. Hence, we have decided to solicit donations (expressions of love) from those who can find it in their hearts to help.

For those who don’t know Keasha, she is a great and dedicated mom of two wonderful children Nomel (23) and Nile (21) and, most recently, a grandmother to a baby girl named Karter, who just turned three months old. Keasha is loved by many, including a large family and a tight-knit group of friends. She is very independent and highly supportive of others. She is always overly excited, full of laughs and loves to dance. She has been a WMATA bus driver for the past seven years and considers herself part of the WMATA family.

As we enter this season of giving, please consider donating and sharing this Crowdfunder as widely as possible to your social media networks and help us give Keasha the peace of mind to know she can simply focus on her recovery.

While we work out just how much she will need, we’ve set an initial goal of $30K to get things started. The donations will go towards her living expenses for the next 6-8 months. *Should you prefer to make your donation through Zelle, please do so using the following gmail.com address: drjewelgorham. It’s important that Keasha not be concerned with facing financial hardship due to loss of income once her work leave is exhausted. Indeed, her support system is way too strong for her to have such concerns.

****GoFundMe DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE TO DONATE. However, THEY DO ASK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TIP GoFundMe and a percentage automatically populates; simply change that percentage to 0% and proceed with your donation.

Thank you for being a part of Lakeasha’s village. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

Since the devastating effects of a stroke can unexpectedly strike anyone at any time, none of us know when life will suddenly leave us needing the support of others to carry us through. That is why we are so grateful for your prayers, love and support during this challenging season in Keasha’s life.

In spite of it all, WE BELIEVE that God will restore her health!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Jewel Gorham is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Lakeasha Smith

Goal 30K – Let’s Go!