Supporting Jen’s Recovery

On November 20, 2025, our lives were shattered. My wife, Jen, suffered a sudden AVM rupture while at work, resulting in a catastrophic stroke and massive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Jen has already survived two intensive brain surgeries at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, including a craniectomy procedure to relieve the swelling on her brain. While she has shown incredible bravery, the stroke has left her with left-side paralysis and a long, uncertain road ahead.

She is currently undergoing intensive inpatient rehabilitation. First at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, now at a secondary facility that deals with traumatic brain injuries. She is still awaiting another surgery to replace her skull flap, which will be followed by additional impatient and outpatient rehabilitation to an extent unknown.

A Family in Transition:

Jen has always been the heartbeat of our home. This tragedy has hit at a particularly pivotal time for our family. Our son, Jacob, is 14 and is currently preparing to start high school next year. In the middle of what should be an exciting milestone, he is navigating the trauma of his mother’s illness. Our goal is to maintain as much stability for him as possible so he can focus on his future.

Our Dog, Strike. Anyone who knows Jen knows her bond with our dog, Strike. He is a vital part of our family’s emotional support.

As we face the reality of losing 60% of our income and the lack of disability benefits, we are fighting to keep our family unit, including Strike, safe and together.

The Urgent Need for a New Home:

Our most immediate crisis is our housing. We currently live in a third-floor condo with no elevator. Because of Jen’s paralysis, we cannot bring her home. We must find and move into an accessible, ground-floor residence before she is discharged from the rehabilitation facility.

Between the loss of Jen’s income, mounting medical bills, and the costs of an emergency move, the financial burden has become overwhelming.

How Your Support Helps:

Any support helps in managing this crisis and providing Jen with the environment she needs to recover.

Funds will be used for:

Medical Expenses: Covering the out-of-pocket costs associated with the treatment, rehabilitation, and future surgery required.

Urgent Income Gap: Covering her lost income while waiting for SSDI approval.

Caregiver Support: Help to afford necessary care or physical therapy co-pays during her recovery period.

Relocation Costs: Securing an accessible home where Jen, Jacob, and Strike can be together.

Jen is a fighter, but she cannot do this alone. Please consider donating or sharing our story. Your kindness allows me to focus on being the father Jacob needs and the caregiver Jennifer requires during this fight for her life.

We have always been a proud family. We find it hard to ask for help and have always managed to get through even in tough times. However, this is a life changing incident and we are at a loss of what the future holds. Our total estimated need for Jen's recovery, housing, and family stability is somewhat unknown, as it is just starting to compound. However, we are setting our goal to cover the most urgent costs:

The emergency move to an accessible home and the first months of lost wages. As we clear these hurdles, we may update the goal to reflect the next stages of Jen's journey.

With deep gratitude,

William Weyna