Vera's Story (Video with English Closed Captions)




THE GOFUNDME IS OFFICIALLY OVER! WE HAVE REACHED OUR $12,000 GOAL! THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS! PLEASE SEE UPDATES BELOW FOR A THANK YOU VIDEO!

On November 28, 2021, Vera had a mild stroke. Thankfully, it did not leave her paralyzed. Sadly, however, she lost brain cells on the left side of her brain, causing her speech to be impaired.

     She completed a rehabilitation program on December 11, 2021, and has received only two speech therapy sessions since then. Although she sounds okay now, her brain has to work 10x harder to carry out a conversation. 

   That is why she must continue with outpatient speech therapy. But unfortunately, she may not be able to do so because her insurance will not cover it long-term. As a retired senior, her only income is from social security checks that are already budgeted to pay for her rent and other necessities, and she simply cannot afford to pay for speech therapy out of pocket. Aside from that, Vera also needs financial assistance to afford her prescription medications and help with the activities of daily living. 

     Please assist us in providing Vera with the resources she needs to be restored to complete health. We understand that money may be tight for you and your families given the current Covid-19 pandemic, but any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated. The donation minimum is only $5. With every $5, we will be that much closer to reaching our new goal of $12,000 (originally $2,000).

     Once you have donated, feel free to leave a nice comment on this page about Vera. It can be about your relationship with her and how she has been a blessing in your life. Your words will encourage others to donate, too! Lastly, whether or not you can give financially, it would mean a lot if you were to share the link to this fundraiser with others by clicking or tapping the share button. When posting on social media, please use the hashtag #verarecovery. Our deadline is two months from now, March 27, 2022. So please spread the word! 

     Thank you for helping us to restore this wonderful angel to the role of assisting those in need! Your kindness, consideration, and generosity will not go unnoticed! We will provide you with additional information and weekly progress updates on this page and our personal social media accounts. 


     God bless you,

     Team Vera

     Sky Houston (she/her), Dr. Marcia Canton (she/her), and judy-b. (she/her or they/them)



*Deadline: March 27, 2022*



Another Way You Can Donate

     Venmo: @Vera-Oliver-1



About Our Goal 


      Our intention in setting this new goal of $12,000 is to continue to raise money to help cover new expenses Vera has as a result of the stroke. This includes prescription medications, speech therapy, and the activities of daily living such as cab rides to doctor and therapy appointments. 

     Vera does not have prescription coverage, and these new costs are difficult to meet on her Social Security income. Vera already had asthma and has been receiving sample inhalers from a kind-hearted health care worker, but she will soon need to buy them on her own. Here are her major prescription costs:


- $400 a year for new heart medications

- $300 a month for asthma medication 



Testimonials From Team Vera


Sky Houston: Even though we are not related by blood, I consider Ms. Vera Oliver a family member. We have attended the same church since I was 6 years old. When I was little, I used to go around the church to greet and hug everyone during Sunday service. I met Ms. Vera when I hugged her. 

     Since then, I have been honored to call her a friend. She is a radiant, outgoing, kind, and compassionate soul. Whenever we talk or spend time together, we have a good time and appreciate each other's presence, whether in or out of church.

     Because of Ms. Vera's outstanding character, I am honored to be part of this fundraising team! Together as a community, we can make a substantial positive impact in her recovery!

 
Dr. Marcia Canton: Vera Oliver is one of a kind. Her compassion, energy, grace, and spirit are visible in all of her daily gestures. She fulfills many roles in our church. On Fridays, she prays for members on the Prayer Line calls. On Saturdays, she delivers food to seniors and others in the community who are in need. And on Sundays, she is posted at the church entrance to greet visitors and familiar faces. When she is not serving the church and local community, she cares for her elderly friend. This sudden and unexpected setback has created a shift in her daily roles and responsibilities. And yet, in her infinite giving, Vera is more worried about those who rely on her than her own restoration. I hope that through this fundraiser, she will allow us to care for her as much as she's cared for us.


judy-b.: Vera is the most delightful neighbor. She always has a smile and a story when we meet in the hallway. Many of those stories are about the places she has visited and the people she has known. She is generous with her kindness and food, too! She shares whatever she cooks, whether tuna salad, potato salad, or muffins—it is all delicious! 

     I think the most challenging part of the stroke for Vera is learning to slow down, rest, and allow her recovery to go at its own pace. It is vital for Vera to work her mind in therapeutic ways, but also to let it rest and recover. Because of her impaired speech, she is restricted from doing what she loves: talking with people over Zoom and on the phone. But to get back to her vivacious self, she needs to put her health first.

     My wish for Vera is that the love she has put out in the world will come back to her—especially now when she needs it most. Every donation will tell Vera how much she is loved.




Photos of Vera




Vera Last Summer Before the Stroke



Image Description: Red banners on either side of the photo. Vera is in her kitchen, smiling at the camera. She has a curly gray-haired updo, red lipstick on, and is wearing a multicolored striped shirt and a heart necklace with matching earrings. 


Younger Vera



Image Description: Blue banners on either side of the photo. Vera is in a mall, smiling and looking towards the left. She has a short, straight, and brown hairdo, neutral-colored lip gloss, and is wearing a black cardigan over a blue shirt with multilayered white and blue beaded hoop earrings. 






Photo of Team Vera (Sky Houston, Dr. Marcia Canton, and judy-b.)




Image Description:

Names underneath each photo of team members in black text reading from left to right, "Sky Houston, Dr. Marcia Canton, and judy-b." 

On the left, Sky Houston is in her backyard, smiling at the camera and holding a purse in her left arm. She has short, black, curly hair, and is wearing glasses, a green top with a pink floral cardigan on top, a long necklace, and earrings.

In the center, a black and white photo of Dr. Marcia Canton smiling at the camera with her left pointer finger on her cheek and the rest under her chin.  She has long, black, curly hair, and is wearing a long-sleeved top, a large necklace, and lipstick. 

On the right, judy-b. is posed in front of a tree, giving a closed mouth, neutral facial expression. They have long grayish-blonde hair and is wearing a long-sleeved green top with stud earrings.