Help Nadia Fight Back from Ischemic Stroke

Nadia's Life Changed In A Moment
Nadia suffered a massive ischemic stroke to the left hemisphere on Oct 20, 2021. Nadia was just 29 years old and arrived eight weeks earlier in the United States from Ghana, West Africa – with a full scholarship to complete a Master’s Degree in Communications at the University of Southern Indiana. On word from the doctors that Nadia might not make it, her aunt and I dropped everything, leaving our home and jobs in Ottawa, Canada, to be at her side. Severe brain swelling forced doctors at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Evansville to place her in an induced coma and intubate her. Still in critical condition, we held our breath and prayed for Nadia to come back to us. By God’s grace, Nadia emerged from the coma and eventually could breathe on her own.

Nadia is a fighter and so brave. But the stroke was devastating. It hit the language and speech section of Nadia’s brain, paralyzing her right arm and leg, robbing her of sight in the left eye, and leaving her with severe Aphasia. Aphasia is the loss of the ability to understand and express speech due to severe damage to the brain.

At first, everyday tasks were seemingly impossible, and she could not leave her bed. Nadia could not even say her own name. Nadia’s mother was granted a US Visa on compassionate grounds because of Nadia’s grave condition. In mid-January, Ernestina flew from Ghana to be with Nadia and help take care of her. This was a difficult decision for Ernestina since she is also the primary caregiver for her sister, who is in the advanced stages of Multiple Sclerosis.

Nadia's Fight to Recover
After one month, Nadia was stable enough to transfer to Encompass Acute Rehabilitation Hospital, where she would stay for three months. With intensive speech, occupational and physical therapies, Nadia now walks short distances with a cane, understands simple conversations, and speaks in English and her two African languages – Ga and Twi, although with great difficulty in all three. Nadia is working extremely hard to recover. She is an extraordinary person, with a big heart and a smile that lights up a room. She is an inspiration to everyone. My wife and I have now returned to Canada after five months at her side, leaving Nadia in the care of her aunt and uncle in Baltimore, Maryland, to continue her rehab.

Nadia continues to need extensive medical treatments under the care of a neurologist, physiatrist, neuro-ophthalmologist, and speech, occupational and physical therapists. She also takes multiple expensive medications daily. Since Nadia cannot attend university, she no longer has her scholarship to cover daily living expenses, and her student insurance has been exhausted. She still needs to buy medical insurance. As an international student, Nadia is not eligible for any social assistance in the US.

 

We know Nadia has a long hard struggle ahead of her. We are incredibly proud, as Nadia continues her recovery and builds on each and every small victory. Nadia hopes to return to university, take back her scholarship, and achieve her goal of a Master’s Degree.

 

We also know that she will not be successful without the help of many. Nadia has no money, and her savings are gone.

 

Please consider supporting Nadia financially and with your prayers. Please also consider passing Nadia’s story on through your Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social networks.

Thanks to Nadia's USI family for their ongoing support. The board of directors, the hospital administration, and all the many doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and support workers at Deconess Gateway Hospital and at the Deconess Rehabilitation Hospital. Also, we would like to thank the doctors and specialists, speech, physio and occupational therapists in the University of Maryland Medical System and at the University of Maryland Rehabilitation Institute who continue to work with Nadia.

 

Thank you,

 

James