On August 10th, 2024, my grandfather who was a fit and healthy 63-year-old was devastatingly hit with a stroke, this happened during our family reunion which happens every year. As a family we were all sharing stories and showing gratitude for our family staying together despite all the struggles over the years.

Grandfather who always had something to say and would give the most bellyful laugh during our reunions was unexpectedly silent, one moment we saw him standing and in the next few seconds we saw him lose his balance and fall over almost hitting his head we all rushed over to check on him and that’s when we tried asking him if he was okay due to the heightened emotions of the situation it was not noticed at the time that half of his face was drooping but was immediately apparent was that he wasn’t able to talk.

We called the ambulance, and he was rushed off to the hospital where his checks were done, and they updated us that he had a severe stroke. As a family we banded together to be a support system to our grandfather and ensure he gets his medical bills paid and makes a speedy recovery or so we hoped… After some time, the hospital allowed us to take him and instructed that he will be requiring physiotherapy, and regular check-ups at the hospital. About a week after having him back in his home we were very supportive and ensured he attended all his physiotherapy sessions as a means of staying positive and providing hope that he would one day be back to normal and he able to walk, talk and have his freedom back.

Over time it was clear that the stroke started to affect more than his mobility, speech and cognitive ability. He started to become very depressed, just take a moment to consider being a classic man who was very hardworking, name almost any hands on profession and he had done it, my grandfather was an excellent tailor, drove taxi at nights to make extra to feed and look after his children and wife, he used the land he had to farm and raise livestock he was determined to do what was necessary to provide for his family. Not only that, he was very kind and well respected person in his community, if someone needed help or temporary accommodation he would find a way to support them along with my grandmother they were a power couple one with the will to overcome all obstacles to provide for family and his wife with a heart of gold willing to give away her last in order to help someone in need. After the stroke he became a shell of himself unable to complete simple things like eating food, hold a cup, having a conversation even his signature belly laugh he was no longer able to despite following all the medical advice and ensuring he had regular check-ups and physiotherapy he wasn’t getting any better and no sign of him recovering anytime soon.

He was my Grandfather but he and my fiancé at the time soon to be husband, became very close my husband would sit with him trying to have conversations, assist him with his mobility and personal care, in that time they became very close and he decided we should continue to do our best to support grandfather’s recovery and also to ease the burden off the rest financial  we took full control of his medical treatment of over $30,000.

My husband and I paid for his medical bills and physiotherapy each month meanwhile saving for our wedding that was booked for 19^th of March 2025 and despite doing both was a extreme struggle we felt we had a duty to get Grandfather to make a full recovery. For a moment picture a beautiful sunny day by the seaside it was our wedding day, and everyone was getting ready for our big day. Things were not going according to plan on our day, but we still focused on us becoming on in marriage and having all our family there to witness our union it was a very special moment. We did our dance entrance into the reception hall music and laughter was filling the room we danced together as officially husband and wife then sat down to overlook all our guests and family members. Due to the busyness of the day this was the first time we had a moment to admire and look at who attended but I noticed I couldn’t see my Grandfather at all he wasn’t at the tables and he wasn’t in his wheelchair outside so trying my best not to worry or think negatively I turned to my husband and leaned on his shoulder he asked if I was okay, I replied

“I don’t know why I feel so uneasy even though we just had such a special moment and one of the greatest days in my life.”

It wasn’t long afterwards a close friend of the family came to our table and whispered in my ears that they had received really bad news. As this was our special day I didn’t want to hear any bad news so I requested that they would tell me later; another minute passed and I looked around started to see my grandmother, mother and aunt all burst into tears so I rush over to see what was wrong and it was then I was informed that my Grandfather had passed way. The shock hit me so hard that I was hit with a panic attack for the first time in my life, my chest became extremely tight, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe and was gasping for air it was my husband that had to snap me out of it with his embrace and words.

Ultimately, my family and I are still devastated to lose our Beloved Grandfather so suddenly in a time that was supposed to be special… the situation we were in was just about scraping by to make our wedding possible and still looking after Grandfather while he was here all his treatments and medical bills, now we are in a serious dilemma not knowing how we will afford to his funeral expenses. We have no savings left and we are reaching out for help…

This was very difficult decision to make and our last resort as we as people do not like to ask for help even when we need it, even if it means suffering but I am choosing to come and boldly ask if anyone can reach out to us and help to pay for my Grandfather’s funeral even if its only $1 any help will be greatly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts we sincerely need the financial help.

We have contacted many funeral homes and prices for the lowest packages start from $7000 all the way up to $14000, currently we can’t even afford the lowest priced packages and even with everyone trying to put together with the cost of living now its really hard to even save 500 dollars a month, hence why we are seeking help, I will attach my PayPal link below for anyone who wants to help. We appreciate your time, and consideration may God bless you all.

My Paypal link

paypal.me/shandavis13