Stroke Recovery Aid

I realize that times are tough for everyone with the ongoing pandemic, but I am taking a moment to seek any extra help for my mother, Char Summers, who notoriously gives, more than she ever asks. This year has been especially tough for my mom as a self-employed woman trying to stay a float, but most recently she suffered a stroke in three areas of her brain. She overlooked the signs at first and chalked them up to side effects from a recent motorcycle accident that left her with significant head trauma. Fortunately, she was treated in time and is working hard every day to reclaim her life.

My mom is no stranger to hardship, but this has been the most trying obstacle she has been faced with yet. This has left her nearly blind in one eye, with loss of function/ control throughout her left side, slurred speech, facial paralysis due to nerve damage, and extreme fatigue. My mom has spent several days and nights in the hospital, has met with an eye doctor, physical therapist, and a heart surgeon and will be undergoing surgery in the coming days.

Because of all of these unexpected challenges thrown her way, she is falling behind on bills while new medical bills stack up. As we all know, it can be hard to ask for help when we already feel so helpless. This has been devastating for my mom physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially to navigate on her own. I am asking so she does not have to.

As many know, my mom has been a bright light in her community for over 20 years -- everywhere she goes, she strikes up a conversation with an old friend. Many of those people are patrons from her karaoke shows over the years, strangers turned family, friends in need of a roof and a warm meal, adoptive families she has reunited with her extensive genealogy research, and so many others. My mom has selflessly given, without expectation for as long as I can remember -- so much so, that she has earned the title "Mama Char" far and wide because of the endless love she pours out, without question. As a child, I used to get so jealous when others would call her "mom" but now, as a mother myself, I am so proud of the person she has been for so many throughout her life.

Any money earned will help in supporting my mom as she cannot currently work or claim assistance at this time. Stress can induce another stroke and she should not be experiencing unnecessary worry on top of all that she is already managing. Currently, she is most concerned about making rent and keeping the lights on. These winter months are hard as it is and I don't want her worrying about anything else. If you are able, any donation will help to get her back on her feet and to her usual, uplifted self. As always, prayers are greatly appreciated.

Thanks you, Happy New Year, and God bless!

-Paula