Giving up something I love in memory of my brother

By Cassie

A stroke didn’t just impact my life - it stole my brother from me, and our family. My older brother, Robert, suffered two strokes before he passed away from a brain aneurysm. Watching him go through the first stroke was heartbreaking. Simple things like walking, talking, and remembering became a struggle, but he pushed through with such strength. When the second stroke hit, it was even harder. Seeing him fight so hard, yet still losing more of his independence, made me step up even more to support him and his partner, Kym.

Robert was always strong and outgoing, and it was painful to see him battle. He was determined, but even with all his strength, he faced constant hurdles. The hospital staff helped him get back on his feet. It took so much for Robert and Kym to even secure disability payments just to manage daily life and afford his medication. It was so unfair.

That’s why I’m fundraising - to help others who may need that extra support. No one should have to fight that hard just to get the care they deserve.

In memory of Robert, I’m giving up something I truly love, buying plants. If you know me, you know how much I love gardening. Every week, I go home with new plants, filling my garden with fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables all year round. But for the entire month, I won’t buy a single plant.

Stroke affects everyone differently. Some people regain mobility, while others don’t. Some talk about it, while others keep it inside. No two journeys are the same. But the most important thing is having support, someone to talk to, someone to lean on. That’s what I tried to be for Robert, and that’s why I want to make a difference now.

Robert passed away in September 2023, and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. He was only 49. This year, I turn 49. So, I’ve set a goal to raise $490 for the Stroke Foundation - one dollar for every year of his life.