Written by Sophia’s friends: Soraya, Connor, Michael, Davin, Michal, and Jo
On September 28th, Sophia’s life changed in a matter of hours.
That morning, she was getting ready for hot yoga. By the afternoon, she was in an ambulance after suffering a sudden and severe stroke and dissected artery. In an instant, the entire left side of her body became paralyzed. She couldn’t move, feel, or speak properly, and she spent nearly two weeks in the ICU with doctors unsure if she would survive.
Many of us assume strokes happen later in life, to someone else. But this happened to a young, active woman building her future, just like so many of us are.
By a miracle, Sophia stabilized enough to survive. After another month in the hospital, her healing journey is now just beginning. The stroke permanently destroyed half of her cerebellum. While she has regained some movement, her left hip and leg remain in partial paralysis, leaving her newly disabled, using a wheelchair, and facing cognitive impairments.
Recovery is possible, and Sophia is already proving her resilience every day. Stroke recovery is long, unpredictable, and demanding, but she is meeting it with determination, courage, and the same strength she has always shown in her life and work. With the right support, she will continue to move forward.
These next three months are especially critical. Getting regular, focused stroke rehabilitation in the first few months can make a big difference in how much Sophia recovers and how independent she can be for the rest of her life. Sophia is committed to doing the work, physically, mentally, and emotionally, that this recovery requires.
Sophia is navigating this journey as an immigrant entrepreneur and humanitarian living alone in the U.S. She has spent years helping refugees and immigrants rebuild their lives — always putting others first, continuing showing strength and determination.
Now, unable to work and far from family, she needs our financial support.
She is facing overwhelming costs for ICU and hospital care, neurological treatment, intensive rehabilitation, daily caregiving, medications, medical equipment, housing, transportation, and legal support, much of which is not covered by insurance. Doctors expect she may need 12–24 months of care.
Every dollar raised will directly support Sophia as she does the work of recovery, including:
* Daily caregiving support so she can safely move, shower, and manage essential tasks
* Intensive rehabilitation and ongoing medical care
* Stable housing during recovery
* Transportation, legal assistance, and basic living expenses
* Reducing financial stress so she can focus fully on healing and progress
Sophia has always been the person others turn to in moments of crisis. She never imagined becoming the one who needed help.
The work she does now could shape her recovery for years to come. Your donations make this possible.
Thank you for giving Sophia the chance to heal, rebuild her new life, and truly feel loved and supported.