Help Our Sister Rose's Recovery: A Story of Miraculous Survival and Unwavering Determination

We're Carolyn and Diane and we're asking for help on behalf of our sister Rose (Darlene) and her husband Bertrand.

On March 17, 2024, Rose suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. The doctors told Bertrand to prepare for the worst because they didn't expect her to survive. If she did, they said she'd never recover.

But they didn't know Rose.

Before the stroke, Rose was a force of nature—a poet, writer, pianist, painter, hiker, and nature and animal welfare advocate who would light up any room she entered. She was vibrant, creative and endlessly alive to the world around her.

The stroke left Rose unable to walk or speak, impaired her vision, and paralyzed her right hand, arm and shoulder. It took her art, her music and the words she'd spent a lifetime crafting.

But it couldn't take away her spirit.

Rose has defied every expectation. As she regained consciousness and began responding, doctors who were not involved in her treatment came to the ICU just to see "the miracle patient." Slowly she began to defy the odds. She started to breathe on her own and eventually was able to eat again. The nurses who cared so passionately for her thought she would remain paralyzed. But when Bertrand brought their dog Star to visit, Rose extended her hand and gently laid it on Star's head. Everyone cried.

Now 20 months later, after intensive physiotherapy, vision and speech therapy, Rose walks short distances using a walker, her vision has improved, and she speaks in short sentences. She has been, and continues to be, committed to her recovery.

Rose works harder than anyone we've ever known. She's determined to walk without assistance and to speak without struggling. She dreams of writing poetry and playing the piano again. We know she'll get there.

Why They Need Your Help

Bertrand has been Rose's full-time caregiver since her stroke. He spent every night of her six-week ICU stay and three-week hospital stay sleeping in a chair by her side. Now he helps her with dressing, bathing, cooking and getting to appointments. Their lives have changed drastically but his commitment to her recovery has never wavered.

Unfortunately, Bertrand can't work while caring for Rose and of course she can no longer work either. They're living on a very limited income. Meanwhile, Rose needs ongoing specialized therapy that insurance doesn't fully cover.

This includes:

• Specialized Bobath physical therapy to rebuild neuropathways and regain muscle tone and strength in her right shoulder, arm, hand and her right leg, knee, ankle and foot so she can walk again

• Speech-language pathology for aphasia (loss of speech)

• Vision therapy to address the damage to her sight

• Parallel bars for daily rehabilitation at home

• A bathroom renovation so Rose can safely have a shower. Assisting her into their current shower tub combination is very unsafe and something they both dread

• Psychotherapy to deal with the psychological effects of the stroke, grief and loss

Asking for help doesn't come easily to Bertrand—it never has. But Rose's recovery depends on these therapies continuing and they've reached a point where they can no longer do this alone. That's why we're stepping in to ask on their behalf.

Our Goal: $10,000

Every dollar will go directly toward Rose's recovery.

Rose has already beaten impossible odds during her recovery and rehabilitation, and she shows up every single day and does the work. She's determined to reclaim her life, the life the stroke tried to take from her.

Any contribution, no matter the size, brings Rose closer to walking on her own, writing again, and returning to the piano she loves. If you’re unable to donate then sharing this campaign means everything to us.

Thank you for being part of Rose's journey back.

With gratitude,

Carolyn and Diane

Rose's sisters