Support our mom - Blanca’s Fight to Walk, Speak & Live Again

Help Our Mother Reclaim Her Life After a Devastating Stroke

To our amazing network of friends, family, and kind strangers—

This is the kind of letter no one ever wants to write, and truthfully, we’re still in shock that we have to.

On the morning of May 11, we found our mother, Blanca De Jesus, lying on the bathroom floor—naked, soiled, and alone. She had just come out of the shower and collapsed. We don’t know how long she was there before we found her. She was in and out of consciousness. Time had disappeared.

We rushed her to the ER in Puerto Rico, which was only the first of many hospitals. It was there we learned the truth: she had suffered a massive stroke.

Since then, nothing has been the same.

She is now paralyzed on one side and has lost her ability to speak. Her blood pressure is dangerously high (237/97), and despite being hospitalized, the care has been inadequate. She is on a ventilator, cannot eat or urinate on her own, and requires 24-hour supervision. She’s developed painful bed ulcers—something that haunts us, because we lost our grandmother in this same way, in this same place.

Our mother was by her mother’s side, caring for her, which is how she got stuck in Puerto Rico to begin with. Now we want to give her the chance to live—to come back from this, to get the care she needs and deserves.

We created the Blanca De Jesus Family Fund to raise $5,000 to bring her back to the mainland United States, where she can begin proper rehabilitation. We believe she has a fighting chance—if we act now.

The first 30–90 days after a stroke are critical. During this time, the brain begins healing and reshaping itself. Every day without therapy is a day that recovery gets harder. Her therapy was delayed because of insurance issues and unmanaged medical care. We’ve been told by several doctors that early rehabilitation is the only way to help her regain movement, speech, and basic functions. But her insurance only covered 10 days of rehab—and now, the clock is ticking.

We are seeking help to:

• Move our mother and family back to Minnesota, where we can be close to support and she can get the best care available

• Start speech, occupational, and physical therapy immediately

• Cover medical needs, daily care, food, and out-of-pocket expenses

• Bring my brother to help us during this incredibly difficult time

• Empty our apartment in Puerto Rico and start over somewhere safe and stable

We were not prepared for this tragedy. We don’t have the resources, but we do have hope—and we are holding on to it with everything we have.

Even $5 makes a difference. If you can give, share, or even just keep our mother in your prayers, we are so deeply grateful.

We want to help our mom fight for her life. We want her to get a second chance. And we know that with your help, she just might get it.

Where Your Support Will Go:

• ✈️ 2 first-class tickets (PR → MN for mom and caretaker)

• ✈️ 1 ticket (Miami → MN for my brother)

• Apartment clean-out & shipping costs

• Moving and housing setup in Minnesota

• Skilled rehab care (costs beyond insurance coverage)

• Physical, speech, and occupational therapy

• Alternative therapies (acupuncture, infusions, herbal care)

• 3 nutritious meals a day

• Medication & hygiene needs

• ‍⚕️ 24-hour supervision

Your support can truly change the direction of her recovery—and our lives. Thank you for standing with us.

With love and gratitude,

The Blanca De Jesus Family