who’s that girl?
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in every issue
S
AVANNAH POSTON
WHEN WE’RE YOUNG, MANY THINGS DEFINE US… friends, style, taste in music.
the hospital. Nine doctors worked with me, running tests, sticking me with what seemed
But, for seventeen-year-old Savannah Poston, it’s faith. She shares a close bond
like hundreds of needles, hooked me up to bags of fluids, and asked thousands of
with her sister and her mom. “I had everything I ever needed as a kid, no matter the
questions.” Savannah had suffered a stroke. “The doctors couldn’t figure out how a
circumstances. My mom shows me unconditional love, gives me wisdom, has seen me
relatively healthy teenager who has no family history could have a stroke.”
at my worst, and is the most selfless person I know.”
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For three weeks, Savannah battled severe pain and limited mobility and speech. After
Savannah cares deeply for her friends, too. “Having people who push you to be
hospitalization and rehab, she recovered. She continues to take medication to prevent
better, love the Lord, and are there immediately when you need them is an incredi-
recurrence, but there is some residual damage. “My right eye was paralyzed and I was
ble thing to have.” On February 28, 2015, Savannah was getting ready for her school’s
seeing double. It went away
PEARLS formal dance (Perfect Examples of Amazing and Respectable Ladies in Service).
with medicine, but the nerves still have to be checked frequently by my eye doctor.
As President, it was important for her to be in attendance. While styling her hair,
The stroke also caused severe migraines behind my right eye, but I am on tons of
Savannah’s her mind went blank. She tried to move and couldn’t. Panic set in. When
medications, which my amazing doctors at MUSC helped me with. I still have issues with
she could finally move her hands and feet, she made her way to the living room to
some fine motor skills in my left (dominant) hand, but my whole arm was useless for two
tell her mom something was wrong, but her speech wasn’t clear and her face was
weeks immediately after the stroke. I have trouble opening jars and completing strength
paralyzed. “I thought I was going to die! My mom was holding my hand the whole way to
exercises, but I’m thankful I’m not where I was!”
NOVEMBER 2015
SHEMAGAZINE.COM