Help Shirley Come Back From Her Stroke

Shirley Tribute Video Submission

Tragedy Strikes

On June 14, 2023, my beautiful and loving partner Shirley (Ankrah), suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke near her brain stem, in her new home that she had just taken possession of the week before. Having worked for years to realize her dream, she collapsed in the basement doing a load of laundry, where she then lay unconscious on the concrete floor for 12 hours in a stroke-triggered coma before I found her. I had to break into the house to gain entry when she failed to answer the door.

Critically ill, Shirley was rushed to Emergency at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg where she underwent surgery to reduce the pressure on her brain, and was then moved to the surgical ICU where she spent five weeks in a coma on life support. Her chances of survival during this time were bleak, especially after a storm of seizures subsequently swept through her brain. Family and friends were left stunned and devastated by the cruel circumstances that felled this vibrant 49-year-old mother of three, who immigrated to Canada from Ghana as a young girl and had overcome so many challenges in her life.

Against All Odds

Then, after stabilizing and being moved to the acute brain injury ward, Shirley began to slowly and miraculously show signs of life again! Starting by occasionally opening her eyes and managing the faintest of smiles, over the ensuing weeks she became increasingly alert and started to move limbs that had been expected to be paralyzed. Struggling to communicate, she gradually began mouthing words and slowly overcame her tracheostomy and feeding tube to start breathing, speaking and eating on her own again. She has also been undergoing physiotherapy to relearn how to sit, stand, walk and step, and to begin addressing her cognitive deficits as well.

The additional discovery of a small brain aneurysm unrelated to her stroke and the confirmation of advanced stenosis in one of her renal arteries (both of which will likely require additional procedures to resolve), stand to further complicate and burden her road to recovery.

A Campaign of Love and Support

With deep determination and incredible grace and dignity, Shirley continues to fight to recover from her injuries and is committed to regaining her mobility, healing her brain, and overcoming her deficits. Her desire to reclaim her life and go on to live, love and laugh for many more years to come is exceptionally strong and completely inspiring.

I have established this special fundraising campaign to assist with Shirley's expenses as she struggles to recover and come back from her stroke. Powered by hope and prayers, Shirley says she would like to return to her career as a full-time mortgage specialist helping families realize their own dreams of home ownership again, and to continue her role as an active and loving mother and partner, and a friend to many in the community.

Significant Expenses Ahead

As a result of her stroke, Shirley continues to suffer a catastrophic loss of income, and as a former independent contractor she is facing daunting expenses that her limited resources will be unable to meet as she undergoes her transition back. She will experience significant costs related to multiple medications that will be required after her hospital discharge to manage her compromised health, and for her ongoing physical and cognitive therapy.

Additionally, there will be expenses associated with modifications to her home to safely accommodate a recovering stroke patient, mobility equipment, assistance to help her return to the workforce, and other essential life needs that will present along the way.

Please Consider Helping

I would ask you to please consider making whatever contribution you can to help her with these expenses as she struggles to get her life back and recover from this devastating blow. Shirley is an amazing woman and a fighter who is fiercely determined to do her part in continuing to face down this enormous challenge and become independent again. I would also ask that you please share Shirley’s story and this appeal for help with others, including through your social media postings.

With Thanks and Gratitude For All

Shirley and I are deeply grateful for all the love and prayers she has received to date, and we thank everyone in advance for the generosity of their financial contributions at all levels. Thank you for being part of this campaign of love and support to help Shirley come back from her stroke.

Peace and Love