Welcome! For those who don't know me, I'm Casey. First, thank you for taking the time to visit my story. Second, I would like to point out that even if you are unable to help financially, please share this on any social media! All help and support is extremely appreciated.

So what is this all about? What am I asking for help with? Why are you reading this? Well let’s start off with what caused me to have to write this all down.

On August the 26th I had a stroke in the Pons region of my brain stem. The Pons region is responsible for communicating between your limbs and brain, it sends the information to your arms and legs when you want to do, well, anything really. The stroke was on the left side and affected the right side of my body. I went to Baylor Plano, a certified stroke center, and within an hour of arriving we had received the news that I had in fact suffered a stroke. I spent the next 5 days in the hospital. I received some incredible news on the 3rd day--I was given a charity bed at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Frisco (BIR Frisco)! This was amazing news, this location is one of, if not the best rehabilitation hospitals around. I was blown away by this news.

On September 1st, I left Baylor Plano in a wheelchair, with very small movements in my right hand and leg. I had double vision due to my left eye not working correctly, so I became a pirate for a while with an eyepatch. I was nervous, scared, hopeful and so very thankful for what was to come. When I arrived at BIR Frisco I had no idea what my life would be like after this. I didn't know how well I would recover and I was afraid. However, I knew that I could not give up. I knew that I had a massive support system behind me, all sending healing thoughts my way. I had to push on no matter the difficulties that lay ahead.

I spent the next 14 days in Frisco. Each day I regained more and more use of my right side. Within 8 days I had blown the therapists minds. I was nearly walking again unassisted! They were more than amazed by my progress. I kept pushing myself each day, I told each and every therapist I met that I did not want a day off, I wanted each day to push me and make me work towards getting better. By day 10, my therapy team was having to come up with new things for me to do as I had surpassed all other exercises. The other patients looked up to me as they saw my rapid recovery and I looked up to them as well. I used their support and gave it right back. I would listen to their stories and share my own. I gained even more support from people I had never known before.

Day 14 came and I nearly jogged out the front door. I said my goodbyes to the amazing team and staff members of BIR Frisco, telling them I will visit soon! I knew I would have to keep these people in my life, they meant so much to me. It happened to be my father’s birthday as well, what better gift could he have received than having his son return home? I can't think of one. I returned to Baylor Plano to impress the amazing staff that got me going and treated me for 5 days. I interrupted their lunch (oops) but I also made their day. The joy I felt upon seeing them watch me walk when just 2 weeks earlier I could hardly stand without assistance was truly magical!

I returned home and changed my life completely. I altered my diet to be healthy and free of sodium. I exercised daily to ensure I kept my strength. I did everything right. I felt great! I was getting my life back. Then comes September 26th. (26 is now my least favorite number)

I woke on September 26th and I immediately knew. I felt it. I felt my entire left side completely numb. I was devastated. I was heartbroken. I knew what was to come. I got myself dressed and ready and then called my mother. Insert panic attack here. Of the 5-8 minute phone call with my mother the only words she could understand were 'floor' and 'numb'. I could hear her heart breaking as well, her panic, her frustration. We called 911 and headed straight back to Baylor Plano, an all too familiar situation was once again entering my life.

After a MRI test the doctor came in and we all know what he was about to say, but we weren’t quite prepared all at the same time. I had suffered not one, but 2 new strokes! In the same region as before but sitting just above the previous stroke. One on the left and the other on the right. How could this be? I did everything I was supposed to do! I was on blood thinners, I ate healthy, I exercised, how could I have had 2 new strokes? This completely devastated me. I was extremly upset after hearing this. I felt broken, like I wouldn't be able to do this again. How was I going to recover from this? I was admitted at Baylor Plano once again.

Day 2

Sitting in my hospital bed, I still have function in all limbs, just watching TV and passing time when my case manager comes in. She informs us that BIR Frisco has already agreed to take me back in as soon as I was ready to go. This floored my family and me. We were shocked and amazed by this news. We knew they could get results, they had helped already! I spent the next week in Plano, by day 4 I had completely lost my left side. I could not do anything with it at all. I had no hope at this point, even with the amazing news, I felt so lost and so defeated. I began to lose hope. I cried when I knew no one was watching. I was so afraid that I would not recover from this one. All my previous work felt useless, I felt like this was it. Once again, I headed to Frisco in a wheelchair. This time much worse off.

Upon arriving I was greeted by familiar faces, amazing faces, the people that I had worked with before were waiting for me with open arms. At this moment I shifted. I felt better, stronger, braver. I felt so loved with these people. Day 1 was the hardest once again, doing my evaluations, watching myself fail at all the tasks I had mastered not 3 weeks prior. This gave me the determination and strength I needed to keep pressing on. I lost the sadness, hopelessness and replaced it with being upbeat and positive. I started roaming the halls handing candy out to everyone I saw. I put smiles on faces, made laughs come from people who I've never met. I was not going to be defeated. Once again, I made sure to fill my days with as much therapy as possible.

I spent the next 16 days in Frisco. Each day I improved, I regained hand and leg movement by day 4. Arm and foot movement by day 7. I kept pressing myself and I never gave up. I knew I couldn't once again. On October 21st I again said my goodbyes, this time promising not to return in a wheelchair but to return on my own 2 feet and with the ability to leave on my terms! I shared both laughter and tears with the staff I had grown to know over this experience as I hugged them all goodbye. They had become a family to me. Each person I met made me happy and thankful.

So again, what did I make this for? Why am I asking for help?

I have no insurance. I was set to start working at Geico very shortly after I had my first injury. I was given the chance to switch to a later training after explaining what had happened. Then came my second injury and the job that I had been waiting for, was gone.

I am asking for help in getting through these next few months as I not only adjust back into ‘normal’ life but also I diligently set out to find out why this has happened to me. I will need help paying for medical bills, for more tests , and more doctor visits as well as living expenses. I need any help that you are willing to give.

I can never thank every person for all the support that I have received over these past two months but I can show them how far I have come and how much I care about them. I will continue to improve and get better. I have to, for myself, my family, and my friends.

Please share this on your Facebook, Instagram, Email, anything you’re able to. I am asking the universe to spread this to as many people as possible.

I want to leave you with these last thoughts.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we fall.”

- Confucius

This quote has become more meaningful to me than anything I have seen before. I found it during my first injury on a random stroke support website and it struck a chord in me instantly.

There are ways to spot a stroke, below is an acronym that can be used to help save someone’s life. Time is always of the essence, the faster someone can be diagnosed, the better chance they have for full recovery.

Remember the acronym FAST:

F- Face, if someones face is drooping

A- Arms, if their arms are weak

S- Speech, if their words are slurred or they don't make sense

T- Time, time to call 911

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I may never know who you are but know that I love you and I will forever be grateful for you.