We Love Kari's Heart!

I recently heard a quote by Greg Boyle that really touched my heart: "Kindness is the only strength there is." I immediately thought, "Well, if that is true, then Kari Alejandre is the strongest woman on earth!" And goodness! I am grateful for that, because only the strongest woman on earth could survive what she has been through! 

If you know Kari at all, you know that she has the kind of gentleness, kindness, and warmth normally reserved for heriones in fairy tales. I've often thought that life's struggles have a way of either softening us up or making us cold to the world around us. I have never met a person that has endured so much and remained as tender as my sweet friend, Kari. She loves all beings in this world with a fierce and revolutionary kind of determination. She refuses to give up on any of us! Plants, animals, friends, family, (enemies even!) do not stand a chance to remain unchanged in the wake of her precious love and amazing dance moves. She is light, life, and the human embodiment of melody and we are all so very blessed by her presence in this world. 

You might already know that Kari was the recipient of a heart transplant many years ago. She has had to endure pain and discomfort from the side effects of the medication she takes for her transplant, but Kari's adopted heart has beat steady and true. She has been an absolute success story! Well, that is, until recently. It appears as though Kari's coronary arteries are wearing out really fast. 

In September, Kari's husband, Adolfo, walked upstairs to discover his beloved wife experiencing Sudden Cardiac Death. She had suffered a heart attack. Thankfully, Kari's life was saved due to her husband's quick thinking and her amazing medical team. She went through lots of testing and had surgery to put in two new stents. She was able to go home and begin the healing process with her family.
 
Things seemed to be going well until a few weeks later. Adolfo once again discovered Kari: cold, clammy, and short of breath. She was whisked away to emergency and it was discovered that she had already formed another significant blockage in one of her arteries! Kari ended up with another stent and many more tests. They are also discussing more procedures or even possibly surgeries in order to keep her from experiencing another sudden cardiac death. As of right now, she is at high risk of heart attacks and is being monitered until they can decide how to proceed.

Kari is now home recovering once again. As you can imagine, she and her family are exhausted, scared, and traumatized. But I think I have thought of a way for all of us to encourage and support them during this time!

I know we are all so very grateful to have Kari still dancing among us here on earth; She is a source of joy and hope for so many of us! Especially during times that feels bleak and bitter, it is people like Kari who carry us all forward with courage and love in our hearts. I want to show her that her light and music and ability to see the good in everyone is a gift that we treasure and cherish. 

Unfortunately, the past few months have been incredibly stressful for the Alejandres both emotionally (obviously) and financially. Adolfo has had to take weeks off of work at Ford and Kari has had to stop her workd with Music Together and leading Children's Worship at her church altogether. The financial strain is a huge source of stress and I think we can help!!

If you have been wishing you could do something to give back to Kari or encourage her in some way please consider donating to this GoFundMe page! I had to beg and plead with her and Adolfo to be allowed set this up. Please help me make it obvious to them that they are loved and supported by a vast community of people.

I have a dream that we could raise enough money not only to cover their expenses for a month, but also to give Adolfo the freedom to wrap his beautiful wife up in his arms and allow her to truly rest and heal. I know that they could use some quality time as a family to process and heal from the trauma of the past few months. Will you help me give that to them?

If you find you are not able to give at this time, please consider at least liking and sharing this page so that we can get the word out to as many people as possible! 

Thanks so much in advance,

Jamie Visser