Ariel Boyd's Fundraiser: Surviving a Stroke

I am starting this fundraiser for my dear friend, Ariel (Alice) Boyd, for medical, vet and personal expenses. She's become chosen family to me over the last 13 years or so, my big sister/auntie. Ariel, a single elder on a fixed retirement income, had a stroke on Mother's Day weekend in May of 2023. She was hospitalized for 4 weeks with 3 therapies on each weekday: Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy. It wore her out and her mind/body was overwhelmed, but each of these was and still is critical for her ongoing recovery. When she was discharged, the hospital social worker indicated that she was all set up for home healthcare to continue these vital therapies. Unfortunately, that was not the case (which we've discovered can be common for elder care upon discharge from facilities).

Home healthcare was hit or miss and she went for a few weeks without any therapy, only a visit from a nurse and a social worker. It was all very confusing for her as she attempted to sort out who could help her with her basic needs (a bath, how to get to appointments, food/groceries, etc). As a single elder, with an intermittent voice, she had no one else to advocate for her. There was a lot of misinformation from multiple sources; It took a LOT of energy for her to get help in place so she could function again.

She had to learn to ask for help. It was embarrassing, exhausting, exasperating and frightening for her. She lives an hour from many of her Athens tribe and has been somewhat isolated since 2020's Covid World Show, so she had to remember how to reach out. Her beloved elder cat had to be boarded for months and then died soon after returning home. Ariel was devastated.

When she was released by the hospital to go home, she could barely fend for herself at first. She was tired, weak, off balance and had a few falls, calling 911 on more than one occasion. Friends and neighbors helped out as they were able but everyone has their own stuff and lives going on. She didn't want to be a burden, but she needed help. Through Meals on Wheels contacts and some local friends, she learned to depend on the kindness of strangers, many who have become her friends. There have been big challenges; There have been huge blessings!

The stroke affected her dominant hand/arm and leg and made her voice dysphonia worse. What

this means for her new world order is that she 1) has more difficulty (than before) communicating verbally, 2) cannot write or type legibly without great difficulty, and 3) cannot drive as yet and must depend on others for transportation. For many months, she was in survival mode, trying to find her way. She has regained some use of the 2 affected limbs.

The stroke left her stressed, confused, and it took her several months to feel that she could come out of a fog enough to start to look into her personal affairs, which languished after the stroke. That is when she realized that she's gotten rather into financial straits, even moreso with annual property taxes. Fortunately, she did get a better insurance policy this Fall and has been able to start back with twice weekly physical and occupational therapy again. She figured out who to contact for transport to those appointments.

Progress has been made on many fronts. She's gotten help clearing/cleaning the house. Her cell phone was repeatedly dropped while in hospital so the screen was nearly obliterated, it blinked off/on and she couldn't tell when calls or texts came in. This further isolated her. I was able to help her in October to get a replacement so she now has better capacity for communication.

She is often tired/exhausted by her therapies each week so still hasn't been able to return the calls/texts from beloved friends (typing takes her forever). Please know if you left her a message that she has told me how much she treasures them, and the mailed cards as well. All your prayers and love have lifted her up.

I have been very impressed that she has kept going through every hit,  every fail, every adversity and challenge that has crossed her path this year. She never thinks of giving up. She never cried until October when we had a long, heart to heart sit-down. Experiencing this stroke has created a lot of grief for her. Still though, she's like a recovering Energizer Bunny... she picks up that drumstick when it falls, and slowly lifts it and finds the will to move forward again.

She and I don't like to focus on limitations. I've only shared these here because we've concluded

that she needs financial assistance to get her affairs back in the black. It would help alleviate

some stress from her life if you are able and willing to contribute any amount to this fundraiser. She is a sweet soul and Ariel will be infinitely grateful for your help.

I thank you for helping my friend and if it resonates, if you can please share this with your friends/family network, that would be wonderful. The more eyes, hearts, and hands we can reach, the better. Thank you for taking the time to read this. BIG LOVE and Deep Gratitude to you!!!!!