Support Rachel's Stroke Recovery
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My name is Kevin Simpson and I have created this fundraiser for my sister Rachel (Simpson) Smith and her family.
Send a Get Well video message to Rachel by clicking the link: VidHug.
Rachel (37) lives in Colorado and is a stay-at-home mom to 2 children, Cara (7) and Benjamin (2). She has been married to her husband, Aaron, for 9 years with their 10-year anniversary coming up in March.
On January 2, 2021, Rachel woke up early in the morning and fell trying to get out of bed. She couldn't stand, speak, move her left arm or left leg. Startled, Aaron woke up, rushed to her side, and immediately called 911. That morning Rachel suffered a dissection of the carotid artery causing a stroke in the right hemisphere of her brain. When our parents heard the terrible news, they took the first flight out to Colorado.
At the hospital, Rachel underwent a craniotomy, where a section of her skull was removed to relieve the pressure in her head. More tests were done and after several hours had passed, the pressure returned. She had to have another surgery to remove a portion of her frontal lobe and a portion in the middle part of her brain.
My family wasn't sure what the result of this surgery would be. Our mom, Blanche, and Aaron refused to leave her side. Our dad, Tom, waited anxiously in the car outside the hospital. Our sister, Stephanie, was on the phone and told her to fight. Before going into surgery, Rachel gave Aaron and our mom a thumbs up.
After 2 long and sleepless nights, Rachel was finally resting and recuperating in the ICU. Our parents and Aaron have taken 24 hour shifts each day to be with her. She suffered a significant loss of brain function on the right side. She had been given a feeding tube to help her eat since swallowing has become slightly difficult. A few days later, though, that wasn't good enough for her, so she pulled it out and wanted to see a menu. Unfortunately, nurses had to place it back in, but if you know Rachel, she is determined, strong-willed, and will continue to fight.
Day by day she has been getting stronger and eating more. She has feeling in her left foot, but there is uncertainty about what kind of mobility she will have in her left leg. However, doctors are seeing positive signs. Regaining the use of her left arm is still questionable, though. Fortunately, she can still write using her right hand and has been able to communicate with her family.
Though her speech is weak, she asks about her children, making sure Cara is ready for school. Her concern for them, while going through so much is a resolve that astounds me. She recognizes Aaron, her parents, and her siblings and through sign language she's able to tell us that she loves us.
On January 14, Rachel was moved out of ICU and is now resting in acute care. She is currently waiting for a transfer to a rehab facility so she can begin her long road to recovery through long-term physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Growing up, Rachel was extremely athletic and cheerful. She did gymnastics and played softball at a Junior College level. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Development and worked as an early childhood teacher. She also organized and led her daughter's Girl Scout Troop. In her spare time, she loves to crochet, go hiking and camping, or watch hockey. The most important thing to her, though, are children. They are her life. Aaron has said, "I have never seen someone who can interact, understand, and teach such a tough age of kids as well as she does!"
This Gofundme campaign is to help Rachel and Aaron pay for the impending medical bills from the surgeries, tests, hospital stay, and rehab. The funds will also be used to help remodel her master bathroom to fit her future needs with handrails, a lipless walk-in shower, and any other medical necessities to give her a comfortable and successful life. Rachel is a fighter and I know she will persevere through this.
Thank you to all who wish to donate to help my sister and her family. You have my deepest and sincerest gratitude.
If you would like to send a Get Well video message to Rachel click the link: VidHug. It's easy and will allow you to record a personal message that I will compile with others and pass along to her.
Send a Get Well video message to Rachel by clicking the link: VidHug.
Rachel (37) lives in Colorado and is a stay-at-home mom to 2 children, Cara (7) and Benjamin (2). She has been married to her husband, Aaron, for 9 years with their 10-year anniversary coming up in March.
On January 2, 2021, Rachel woke up early in the morning and fell trying to get out of bed. She couldn't stand, speak, move her left arm or left leg. Startled, Aaron woke up, rushed to her side, and immediately called 911. That morning Rachel suffered a dissection of the carotid artery causing a stroke in the right hemisphere of her brain. When our parents heard the terrible news, they took the first flight out to Colorado.
At the hospital, Rachel underwent a craniotomy, where a section of her skull was removed to relieve the pressure in her head. More tests were done and after several hours had passed, the pressure returned. She had to have another surgery to remove a portion of her frontal lobe and a portion in the middle part of her brain.
My family wasn't sure what the result of this surgery would be. Our mom, Blanche, and Aaron refused to leave her side. Our dad, Tom, waited anxiously in the car outside the hospital. Our sister, Stephanie, was on the phone and told her to fight. Before going into surgery, Rachel gave Aaron and our mom a thumbs up.
After 2 long and sleepless nights, Rachel was finally resting and recuperating in the ICU. Our parents and Aaron have taken 24 hour shifts each day to be with her. She suffered a significant loss of brain function on the right side. She had been given a feeding tube to help her eat since swallowing has become slightly difficult. A few days later, though, that wasn't good enough for her, so she pulled it out and wanted to see a menu. Unfortunately, nurses had to place it back in, but if you know Rachel, she is determined, strong-willed, and will continue to fight.
Day by day she has been getting stronger and eating more. She has feeling in her left foot, but there is uncertainty about what kind of mobility she will have in her left leg. However, doctors are seeing positive signs. Regaining the use of her left arm is still questionable, though. Fortunately, she can still write using her right hand and has been able to communicate with her family.
Though her speech is weak, she asks about her children, making sure Cara is ready for school. Her concern for them, while going through so much is a resolve that astounds me. She recognizes Aaron, her parents, and her siblings and through sign language she's able to tell us that she loves us.
On January 14, Rachel was moved out of ICU and is now resting in acute care. She is currently waiting for a transfer to a rehab facility so she can begin her long road to recovery through long-term physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Growing up, Rachel was extremely athletic and cheerful. She did gymnastics and played softball at a Junior College level. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Development and worked as an early childhood teacher. She also organized and led her daughter's Girl Scout Troop. In her spare time, she loves to crochet, go hiking and camping, or watch hockey. The most important thing to her, though, are children. They are her life. Aaron has said, "I have never seen someone who can interact, understand, and teach such a tough age of kids as well as she does!"
This Gofundme campaign is to help Rachel and Aaron pay for the impending medical bills from the surgeries, tests, hospital stay, and rehab. The funds will also be used to help remodel her master bathroom to fit her future needs with handrails, a lipless walk-in shower, and any other medical necessities to give her a comfortable and successful life. Rachel is a fighter and I know she will persevere through this.
Thank you to all who wish to donate to help my sister and her family. You have my deepest and sincerest gratitude.
If you would like to send a Get Well video message to Rachel click the link: VidHug. It's easy and will allow you to record a personal message that I will compile with others and pass along to her.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kevin Simpson
Organizer
Milpitas, CA
Aaron Smith
Beneficiary