Jafar Cooper knows all too well how stroke can affect an entire family. His mother, Michelle Jones, passed away from a stroke in 2016 when she was only 49 years old. Her death meant that Jafar’s 13-year-old brother needed a new guardian. Jafar stepped into that role immediately without question.
Missing his mother deeply, Jafar was searching for a way to stay strong and feel positive. He and the owners of BodyGames, a gym where Jafar worked out regularly, began looking for a local organization they could give back to. “We wanted to build a comfortable relationship with the organization so we could keep the connection and continue to give each year,” explained Jafar. He noticed BELIEVE – Stroke Recovery Foundation’s Step Out with Stroke Warriors event in Wake Forest and felt a potential connection. Not only had his mother died of a stroke, but Jafar had attended high school near the event and felt it could be a sign.
Jafar and the team at Body Games Gym held a fundraiser and donated the money to BSRF in memory of Michelle. He said seeing how much money it would take to provide a certain number of rehabilitation sessions for a stroke survivor motivated him and the team to raise more money than they had intended. “We wanted to be able to sponsor more sessions,” he said. And they did! Not only did they find a way to ensure a stroke survivor would be able to receive the rehabilitation sessions he/she needed, they also found a lasting way to memorialize Jafar’s mother.
Today, when Jafar speaks about his mother, his face lights up. Michelle was an extravert who loved talking to people. She enjoyed outdoor concerts and helping others. “I see pieces of her in me,” said Jafar. “I wouldn’t say I’m an extravert, but as a teacher, I know I need to channel that to bring people in and better communicate.” Michelle worked three jobs to ensure her family and community members had everything they needed. She was the backbone of Jafar’s family – always reminding him about a cousin’s birthday or an aunt who may need to hear from him. “She was very selfless,” Jafar explained. “She was always giving to others. She’d have a trunk fully stocked for moments when she randomly met someone who might need something. A lot of people knew her for that.”
If you would like to memorialize a loved one, click here and donate to BSRF in their memory. Every dollar goes directly to stroke and brain injury survivors who are working hard to regain their independence.