I don’t like asking for help, but I also know when I need to. I wouldn’t be reaching out unless it were absolutely necessary.

As many of you saw from my Facebook post, two nights ago life took a very unexpected turn. While doing what many of us do — scrolling TikTok on the toilet — I had a stroke. At 31. Definitely not on my 2026 BINGO card.

My vision suddenly went dark and “tilted,” and I knew something was very wrong. I’m incredibly lucky I wasn’t home alone. Marissa Grande was there to keep me calm and help me call emergency services. Huge shoutout to Vinny and Maggie from Essex Rescue for their quick response and for getting me to UVM Medical Center safely.

That first night was rough. I lost almost all control of my left eye, arm, and leg. Thankfully, I’ve already made significant progress, and my medical team expects a full recovery. I’ll likely be doing outpatient PT about three hours a day.

During an echocardiogram, they discovered I have a PFO — a small hole in my heart — which most likely caused the stroke. They’ll be able to repair it in a few months, and my risk of future strokes should be very low.

This has been a massive wake‑up call to never take a single moment for granted. I’m so grateful for the village behind me. Thank you all for the love and support.

Even with insurance, the medical costs from the hospitalization, ambulance ride, and ongoing outpatient PT are significant. This doesn’t include living expenses like rent over the next few months or the procedure to repair the PFO. We’re actively applying for grants and financial assistance, and we’ll be fighting any charges that aren’t fully covered — especially the ambulance — but there will still be a substantial amount left to manage.

Any amount you’re able to contribute would mean the world to me. Thank you for helping me get back on my feet and for being part of my recovery.