The start of the new year brought an unimaginable and life-altering shock for our dear friend Kerri and her family. On January 8th, Kerri suffered a severe stroke that required emergency brain surgery. Since that day, Kerri has faced an incredibly difficult road with extraordinary strength, faith, and determination. After weeks in the hospital, she spent two long months in rehabilitation facilities, working tirelessly to relearn the most basic skills—moving, speaking, and caring for herself—things that were once automatic. Every small victory has been hard-won, and her recovery is far from complete.

On April 1st, Kerri was finally able to return home—a moment filled with joy, relief, and gratitude. However, coming home is only one step in a long recovery journey. As a result of her stroke, Kerri continues to face significant daily challenges. She has very limited mobility on the left side of her body, making even simple movements—such as standing, walking, or using her left leg, arm, and hand—extremely difficult. Because of this, their home must be modified to ensure it is safe, accessible, and manageable for her everyday needs.

Kerri is also living with aphasia and apraxia, neurological conditions that affect her ability to communicate. Aphasia impacts her ability to understand and express language, while apraxia affects her ability to plan and coordinate the movements needed for speech and writing. At this time, Kerri is unable to speak coherently, and her ability to write and express her thoughts on paper is also significantly affected. Although she knows what she wants to say, getting the words out—or writing them down—can be incredibly frustrating and exhausting. While Kerri continues to make meaningful progress, communication remains one of her greatest challenges, and she requires ongoing, specialized physical, occupational, and intensive speech therapy to continue healing and rebuilding her independence.

Throughout it all, Noel has been by Kerri’s side without hesitation—advocating for her care, coordinating therapies, managing medical decisions, and taking care of their young children, Jax (7) and Declan (4), who are adjusting to a new and uncertain reality.

Kerri, a dedicated special education teacher who has devoted her life to supporting students with disabilities, is currently unable to work. Meanwhile, the costs of medical care, ongoing therapy, home modifications, and everyday living expenses continue to grow.

We are raising funds to help ease the immense financial burden on Kerri and her family, so they can focus on what matters most: her healing and their children.

Donations will go directly toward:

Ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy

Medical bills and necessary follow-up care

Specialized medical equipment and home accessibility needs

Everyday living expenses while Kerri is unable to work

Any contribution—no matter the size—will make a meaningful difference. If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page and keeping Kerri and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Your support gives Kerri the chance to continue her recovery with dignity, hope, and the care she so deeply deserves.