Assist Jessica's Journey to Healing and Stability

My name is Catiee Willett. I am Jessica Fortin's sister coming on here to ask for help that this family desperately needs.

Jessica is a special education technician at Winslow Elementary School in Winslow Maine. Jessica is what most would call a walking inspiration. Jessica has been faced over and over again with mountains even the strongest struggle to climb and she has without a doubt conquered them all. In 2016 Jessica and her two young children were faced with a very difficult passing. Jessica's husband Luke passed away at just 30 years old. Jessica was left to raise Amber and Liem as a widow. Jessica has been faced with multiple different challenges over the last 9 years since Lukes passing that even the best of us would struggle with. In 2018 Jessica's long-term rental was put up for sale and she was left to find a new rental allowing her to keep her children in Winslow school systems. Jessica found a home in Winslow that she grew to love but unfortunately the funding fell through, and she needed to move again in June of 2024 when the home was sold. In that time Jessica had become a foster parent, legally adopted our 5-year-old nephew and persevered through hurtle life had thrown at her. Jessica was my own back bone through my 15-day ICU stay in March of 2023 where she helped take care of my home and my children. Jessica found herself in the hospital in October 2024 for 5 days with a stroke, cardiac presyncope and mitral value regurgitation at just 37 years old. This has put Jessica out of work since the middle of October. This was taken from Jessica's facebook page because who can sum it up better to what is going on -

On November 11,2024 Jessica posted

3 weeks ago today the life I knew, was changed in 17 minutes and 13 seconds. The road has most definitely been a bumpy one. I can't work (yet) I'm not 100% independent (yet) I'm not as quick as I used to be (yet). I can drive short distances, I can walk short distances (still a struggle on uneven ground), I haven't given up or gotten upset with myself through it all. I have an amazing village. I laugh more than I used to, I enjoy the quiet a little more than I used to and I have made a promise to myself that I won't let this define who I am! I know I'm a strong person but I'll be honest, it's exhausting being the strong one all the time. One thing I've learned over the last few months is, I don't have to be the strong one all the time. I can in fact lean on people. I've spent 3 weeks listening to my body, fighting for the medical care I wish I had fought for since February 2019 when it happened the first time. The Neurologist is ordering more imaging, the cardiac department associated with my implant said everything looks good however I have an Arythmia between each beat. I still have chest pains that take my breath away. So therefore I still have to meet with the cardiologist. My left side will most likely have pain and weakness through the winter. My OMT doctor today told me it is almost like my body sustained the equivalence of motor vehicle whiplash! My physical therapist this afternoon agreed.

Nothing about this has been easy. The pain sucks, the lack of mobility sucks, lack of independence well, if you know me you know my opinion on that.... that sucks too.

What I know is I'm blessed each minute of each new day with a new day. Family and friends (and friends who are family) who are absolutely amazing. The power of prayer works! God is so good!

Jessica is faced with losing her rental due to being behind on rent with a very limited income with being out of work. Jessica has and would give the shirt off of her back for anyone if she had it to give. I am coming to the community to ask for help with a local amazing family who deserves nothing but the absolute best from us our goal is to raise $5,000 to help Jessica get through this hurtle when she has exhausted every single avenue she has reached out to.