Fundraiser for young South Lake Tahoe man who suffered a stroke

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 24-year-old South Lake Tahoe man was airlifted to Renown Hospital in Reno on February 5 after suffering a stroke. Wesley Ficklin, a 2016 graduate of South Tahoe High, was at home with what he thought was a cold. It turned out he had COVID-19 and formed a blood clot that went to his brain.

After an extensive brain procedure and time in the ICU, Wesley is now in a rehabilitation center working on getting all of his motor skills back.

His girlfriend, Lilly Manning has been by his side every day since the stroke. She took is a South Tahoe High graduate (Class of 2017) and is now on leave from her job as a chef at Lake Tahoe Ale Worx and the Cocktail Corner at The Crossing at Tahoe Valley. His mom, Hope Linder, has traveled from her home in Montana to be with her son.

A fundraiser has been established for Wesley and his family to get through this horrific time in their lives. Lilly and Hope have been staying at a motel and spending their days with Wesley as he starts the long road to recovery. Funds will go to medical needs, expenses and rent when he comes home.

To donate, visit HERE.

Wesley had worked for UPS during the holidays, and previously held jobs at Heavenly Mountain Resort, and Blue Zone sports.

Hope and Lilly said Wesley has only been able to say one word, ouch, since being in the rehabilitation center, but on Wednesday surprised everyone with a "yes." He cannot yet move his right arm or right leg but is now able to start eating some on his own (it was a big step Tuesday when he mastered swallowing). He has started to move more and can get into bed. He has started to shake his head for yes and no, and they are teaching him to point.

The two women have been playing endless games with Wesley, showing him how to use apps and a tablet, putting on movies for him, all in an effort to help him regain motor skills and other functions.

If Wesley keeps making victories he could be released in a couple of weeks.

Hope said doctors made sure there were no other underlying conditions that could have caused the clot. Wesley had a second clot but since it traveled the same route to the brain it didn't cause any further damage. Hope also said the doctors told her that her son suffered damage to 60-70 percent of the left side of his brain.

Lilly said her co-workers have been checking in often to see how she's doing. She'll be with Wesley until he is released. It will be a long road to recovery.