A few weeks ago, my dad Ganlin Lu suffered a massive brain stem stroke that changed everything. He’s now fully conscious — he can think, feel, and understand us — but he’s trapped inside a body that can’t move or speak. It’s like he’s awake inside but unable to reach out, and it breaks my heart every day.

My dad has always been the most hardworking and caring person I know. He built a life for our family through perseverance and kindness. Seeing him in this condition is incredibly painful, but we’re not giving up. There’s still hope for recovery — through advanced rehabilitation therapy and assistive communication technology like brain–computer interface (BCI) devices that could help him communicate again.

My dad is currently rehabilitating in a hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. My mom, who is retired and has no income, flew from China to take care of him full-time. She doesn’t speak English or use the internet much, so I’m organizing this fundraiser on her behalf.

100% of the funds raised will be used to cover expenses related to:

• Rehabilitation and therapy programs

• Transportation and logistical costs to move Ganlin to participate in a brain–computer interface (BCI) clinical trial

Every donation, no matter how small, helps us bring back a piece of who my dad is and gives him the chance to reconnect with the world.

If you can’t contribute financially, please consider sharing this page — spreading the word means so much to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for standing with our family.

Your kindness gives us strength and hope.

— Ethan (Feiyu) Lu