Michelle has been a nurse, serving others for almost two decades. She is a charge nurse, a leader, and just a kind person always looking to help others. She works as an RN to prepare patients for surgery. In May, during one of her shifts, she experienced numbness in her arm and delayed speech. She was immediately taken to the ED, which was convenient considering it was one floor down from her unit. She experienced a major stroke, a minor stroke, and since then additional TIAs.

When working Michelle was fast, witty and one of the best IV nurse around. Physically she looks wonderful but sadly the strokes have left her with cognitive deficits such as memory loss, delayed speech and aphasia. The day-to-day tasks that we take for granted, she cannot do for safety reasons. She is obviously not able to return to work and she has a 15-year old daughter who she is not able to care for in the same way.

Please consider donating any amount to help fund this huge change in life, transition and additional therapies to assist in her recovery.

Once Michelle’s vacation and sick hours are exhausted she will no longer be eligible for health benefits for her and her family. Any employee who works for Kaiser Permanente and would like to donate vacation or sick time, please email [email redacted].