When Marcia’s life took an unexpected turn after an aneurysm, you helped light the way forward.
In 2016, Marcia was living a full and active life at age 53. She had moved to the U.S. from Brazil as a young woman. She spoke five languages fluently, worked, and loved traveling, riding motorcycles, sailing, and hiking.
Then, one afternoon while Marcia was eating lunch at home, a brain aneurysm changed everything.
Her teenage son Diego found her unconscious and called 911. After emergency surgery, Marcia spent over a month in a coma. She awoke to discover the right side of her body was paralyzed, and she was unable to speak.
After only a couple of weeks of rehabilitation, Marcia was sent home.
Her husband, Ronaldo, and her mother became caregivers, while Ronaldo continued running his business and keeping their daily lives going. “I knew it was going to be a long recovery, and my ability to help was limited given her situation, no matter how great my love is,” Ronaldo reflected. Marcia became sad and depressed. At times, she even wondered if dying might be better.
Fortunately, Marcia kept going and found Schurig Center.
She began attending programs each week in 2017. With the help of scholarships funded by community donors, she continues to attend today. In art therapy, Marcia improved the use of her arm through painting techniques focused on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Art also gave her a way to express what she could not put into words. She began rebuilding her ability to speak in aphasia communication group where she practiced conversation skills with peers. Just as importantly, Marcia found people who understood.
When I first came to the center, I was shocked because I met so many intelligent and capable people just like me who were going through what I was going through,” Marcia shared.
For Ronaldo, Schurig Center offered support, too.
“Interacting with other families gave me hope and strength knowing that I was not alone and that we could learn from each other.”
Today, Marcia is driving again. She completed training to become a massage therapist, and she provides administrative support for her husband’s business. She has also returned to many of her passions and volunteers to help people experiencing homelessness in Oakland.
Marcia is now a source of encouragement for others at Schurig Center.
“When Marcia first came to the center, she was struggling to find her way forward,” says Midge Casler, Art Program Director. “Today, she is the one reaching out to others who are struggling, reminding them not to give up. Watching her go from needing encouragement to offering it so freely is incredibly moving.”
Life is beautiful. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Even when the road gets harder than you ever imagined, you find your way forward, one step at a time.
Schurig Center helped me find my way back to my life. I’m so grateful to everyone who made that possible. Thank you for being part of my journey.
Marcia’s journey is what your support makes possible.
Schurig Center provides something people living with brain injury often struggle to find after leaving the hospital: ongoing rehabilitation, practical support, and a community that understands.
Schurig Center’s array of twelve specialized brain injury programs is not available elsewhere in our area. And because we receive no federal funding or insurance reimbursements, these programs exist only because of the generosity of foundations and individual donors, like you.
Each year, over 550 survivors and caregivers turn to us for help. Many cannot afford the services they need, which is why donor-funded scholarships are so important. Your donation can help someone improve their abilities, rediscover their independence, or find hope when the future feels uncertain.
Please donate today and give as generously as you can.
Your gift helps keep these essential programs available to Marcia and to the next person whose life is suddenly changed by a brain injury. With your help, they can continue to rebuild their lives and discover what is still possible.
Schurig Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization #68-0105213
Your contribution is tax-deductible as permitted by the law.
