We at DBSA Asheville - Magnetic Minds are deeply saddened by the passing of our own beloved member Kelley S. Kelley has been a long time core group member of our close group and she will never know the joy (and the pain) she has brought to our hearts.
Kelley was known in town as a fearless advocate for disabilities esp. aphasia. She suffered a stroke 5 years ago which left her with some serious physical challenges including right sided paralysis (hemiplegia) and aphasia. But this didn't stop her. Instead she joined up with WNC Health Advocates and started the Asheville Aphasia Advocacy group. https://m.facebook.com/avl.aphasia.advocates
Over the last year she zip-lined, went white water rafting, dove off a diving board backwards, got back on the river in her kayak etc. (See videos below). She was quite an athlete prior to her stroke and she missed being so physical. As so many stroke victims do, Kelley suffered with depression but even at times that were really difficult emotionally for her, she still fought internally and for disability rights.
In April of this year, Kelley went to Washington DC and met with congressmen and women, including Senator McCain, to discuss better funding for aphasia. She wrote this on facebook:
"My name is Kelley S. I have Aphasia. I can't read. I can't books, novel, magazine. Intelligent but I can't read. The words the scrabbled. My Aphasia friends, there lonely and depressed. They don't drive. They don't read. At all. Please, I'm begging you, the hope is shattered.
Please, Congress, to vote! We can't read. But you can."
Kelley was known in town as a fearless advocate for disabilities esp. aphasia. She suffered a stroke 5 years ago which left her with some serious physical challenges including right sided paralysis (hemiplegia) and aphasia. But this didn't stop her. Instead she joined up with WNC Health Advocates and started the Asheville Aphasia Advocacy group. https://m.facebook.com/avl.aphasia.advocates
Over the last year she zip-lined, went white water rafting, dove off a diving board backwards, got back on the river in her kayak etc. (See videos below). She was quite an athlete prior to her stroke and she missed being so physical. As so many stroke victims do, Kelley suffered with depression but even at times that were really difficult emotionally for her, she still fought internally and for disability rights.
In April of this year, Kelley went to Washington DC and met with congressmen and women, including Senator McCain, to discuss better funding for aphasia. She wrote this on facebook:
"My name is Kelley S. I have Aphasia. I can't read. I can't books, novel, magazine. Intelligent but I can't read. The words the scrabbled. My Aphasia friends, there lonely and depressed. They don't drive. They don't read. At all. Please, I'm begging you, the hope is shattered.
Please, Congress, to vote! We can't read. But you can."
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Kelley you accomplished so much in so few years on earth. Your legacy of tenacity and hope and "never give up" will live on in our hearts forever. You have inspired and helped every single one of us and from what I see online, every one you touched (and hugged - see below). We miss you so much and hope you have found peace. ♥
"Last week, I was singing Kelley S's praises to a newspaper reporter who was writing a story about our amazing colleague; today, I grieve her loss."
--Read the WNC Health Advocates memorial
Enjoy more than 7 minutes of Kelley offering free hugs. I wonder how long she was out there that day just passing around love. I don't know where this was taken. Kelley proudly showed us her many youtube videos but I never saw this one. It warms my heart and makes me sad all at once.
"Last week, I was singing Kelley S's praises to a newspaper reporter who was writing a story about our amazing colleague; today, I grieve her loss."
--Read the WNC Health Advocates memorial
Enjoy more than 7 minutes of Kelley offering free hugs. I wonder how long she was out there that day just passing around love. I don't know where this was taken. Kelley proudly showed us her many youtube videos but I never saw this one. It warms my heart and makes me sad all at once.
Always up for fun!
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Kelley's story
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Kelley does the ice bucket challenge.
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Kelley shows off her diving skills. Nice dive and backwards!
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Kelley enjoys being back in her kayak doing the rapids one handed.
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