Support Julie Coykendall

On May 5th, 2019, our Julie Coykendall suffered a sudden massive ischemic stroke when dissection of her right carotid artery blocked blood flow to approximately 40% of her brain.  That’s the bad news.  The good news is that by God’s grace (and the exceptional care provided by the level 1 trauma center team at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN) Julie is alive and well!  After 36 days in North Memorial’s nationally-recognized intensive care unit, and 24 days in their 2nd-to-none stroke recovery unit, Julie was transferred to the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley for long-term care and rehab. 

Six days a week, Julie goes through 5+ hours of Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy to regain the use of her left-side extremities, and is working her tail off to get back to her family and the loving Kenwood/Robbinsdale/Sanctuary Church communities.  Though we don’t know what the future holds for Julie’s body, we are supremely confident that God’s plan is glorious for her mind & spirit.

So, THE ASK:  Julie’s insurance will cover much of her emergency care expenses, and some of her immediate (short-term) rehab, but it won’t cover any of her long-term needs like out-patient PT/OT/speech therapy, home accessibility improvements, mobility equipment, transportation accommodations, etc.  Several stroke recovery resources estimate more than $100,000+ in out of pocket expenses over the next 24 months to offer Julie the best chance of full recovery and a full life in her new reality.

If Julie has ever coordinated meals for your family after you gave birth;  If she’s ever sewn a costume for your child to be in the school play;  If she’s ever coordinated auctions or fundraising efforts for your kids school or your charity;  If she’s ever insisted that your family live with her indefinitely;  If she’s ever given your little athletes a ride to soccer/softball/baseball/basketball practice and games;  If she’s ever produced a memory album of you for your husband; IF SHE’S EVER…THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

If you know Julie, you know she is easy to love. She is warm, loving, welcoming, self-sacrificing, bright, funny, fashionable, creative, independent, organized, thoughtful, and likely not pleased with THIS ASK for help. Still, she's who teaches us that making the ask is what community, family and friends are for. So remember, even the smallest gesture of compassion makes a difference. And a giant thank you in advance for caring for Julie, Jess, Cooper and Annabell.