Kapen it Real

Early Life

I grew up in Southern LA County.

Life was simple. Sports, competition, and a lot of time outside messing around. I also have a dad who loves working with his hands and doing things. So I always had a project going or was learning a new activity.

Faith was present, but in the background. Mostly prayers at night and the occasional church visit.

Finding Direction

Sports gave me structure. Work gave me responsibility.

Then I found YoungLife senior year of high school.

I found a real community and gained more confidence. And for the first time, I began to understand faith in a personal way.

Eventually, I chose to follow Christ.

Life Was Good

I had direction. A strong community. A job.

Things felt steady.

Then everything changed.
One morning, I woke up with numbness on my right side.

It didn’t go away.

That day turned into urgent care, then an ambulance ride, then hospital after hospital.

No answers.

Doctors still don’t fully know what happened.

The best explanation is that a virus attacked my brain stem, causing a stroke.

I was left paralyzed from the chin down and unable to speak.

I was given medications and sent home with no plan going forward.

I started therapy. Speech, physical, occupational.

Slow progress. Day by day.

But something else grew stronger.

My faith.

Even in the hardest moments, there was peace.
Now, I’ve come to accept this journey.

I wouldn’t change it.

Because through it, I’ve seen purpose, growth, God’s presence in a way I never had before.

I can confidently say, “This didn’t happen by accident.”

And now I share that story with others about God and overcoming hardships.