On Monday, Nov. 27, Babs Parrott was boarding an early ferry back to Orcas Island. She stumbled and hit her head. She took a nap and when she woke up her left arm and leg were numb. Parrott had to get to work so she shook it off and went to her job.

By 10 a.m. she was pale and was dizzy. Her friends took her home. Parrott called her sister, Samantha, and she told her to go to the doctor. Her friends also said she should go to the doctor. Parrott took a nap instead. When she woke up, she couldn’t stand and fell on the floor. She struggled to reach the phone. Her friends called the medics and Parrott was taken in a helicopter off the island to St. Joseph’s hospital in Bellingham. She was placed in the intensive care unit. After several tests, it was determined that she had two strokes near her right temple. She is still in the hospital, receiving physical therapy and continuing to improve her speech and mobility.

Parrott does not have insurance. All of the money raised will go to her medical expenses including the airlift off the island, hospital stay, MRI, CT scan, heart ultrasound, speech therapy and physical therapy. Also, any living expenses since it is unknown how long her rehabilitation will take.

Two resources have been set up to support Parrott’s rehabilitation and recovery. You can donate via GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/babs-medical-fund or at Islanders Bank to the account that has been established for Parrott.

And you can receive updates on Parrott’ progress at Caring Bridge https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/babsparrott.

The main three things Parrott loves to do: smile, hug and dance. She’s already smiling and hugging so her friends and family look forward to her dancing again. They said they’ll be so grateful to see Parrott bounce back from this and become stronger and have more compassion for herself. Anything you can contribute will help along the way. Her friends and family thank the community for their support.