Katie, 25 years old, UT

Wish submitted by:

Katie is an inspiring and courageous 24-year-old former foster youth and aspiring nursing student whose life was dramatically altered in June 2024 when she suffered a stroke due to a brain bleed caused by an Arterial Venous Malformation (AVM). After spending two months hospitalized, Katelyn has shown extraordinary fortitude, making a remarkable recovery by single-handedly teaching herself to walk and talk again through intensive physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Her unwavering focus is now entirely on returning to her nursing program this coming semester, determined to restart her journey toward her dream career despite the lasting disabilities resulting from the stroke.

Katie has recently faced a significant challenge, suffering a brain aneurysm that has left her in recovery at a rehabilitation hospital. Along with the physical and emotional toll of this traumatic experience, she is now in urgent need of dental implants, as her teeth were severely damaged during the aneurysm. Granting her this wish would not only aid in her physical recovery but also help restore her confidence and sense of self-worth. This wish will make a profound difference in Katie's journey toward healing and renewal.