Update — Mandy Nagy 5 years later
“She seems content and not depressed. It’s hard for us to see how that can be, but it is.”
It has now been 5 years since our Editor Mandy Nagy suffered a catastrophic stroke at the young age of 45.
On Sunday, September 7, 2014, I received an email from Mandy’s mom, Ginny, directed to the “contact” email address:
Prof. Jacobson,
I hope this email is directed to you and not Mandy. I am Mandy’s mother. Mandy is in the hospital. She had a stroke early Saturday morning. She is unable to speak and cannot move the right side of her body. If you would like to contact me, I can be reached at: xxxxxxxxxxxx. I am also going to go to her home and look on her computer to see if I can find your contact information.
The outpouring of love and help for Mandy was amazing, including a now-closed fundraiser, and we were hopeful that she would return in some capacity, even if limited:
Our beloved Mandy Nagy, also known as Liberty Chick, had a stroke yesterday and brain surgery to relieve the pressure today.
I am in touch with Mandy’s mom, who approved me letting people know via Legal Insurrection. Before surgery, Mandy also was able to nod approval with a small smile, her mom tells me.
Mandy has been writing for Legal Insurrection since March 2013, and started the Morning Insurrection newsletter for us a little over a month ago.
Mandy, who always had several research projects running while also writing for Legal Insurrection, was to start full time at Legal Insurrection tomorrow, Monday, September 8, in charge of running the blog.
We’re praying for Mandy, and keeping her seat at Legal Insurrection warm awaiting her return, however long it takes.
But it was not to be. The damage was too severe.
In early October 2014, I posted this update:
Update 12:30 p.m. 10-5-2014
My wife and I saw Mandy at the rehab facility today. She was very alert. She seemed to understand everything we said, nodded, occasionally said “yeah.” Shook her head a lot in response to questions. She indicated she was aware of the fundraiser, but didn’t remember me visiting her in the hospital or reading her reader comments, so I did that again. I told her that she always had a place at Legal Insurrection, and she smiled, but that if she only could type with her left hand, we’d have to get her a job at Mother Jones — to which she laughed really hard.
It’s pretty clear that rehab progress will be measured in weeks, not days like when she was in the hospital after the initial stroke. So we’ll probably update this post weekly from now on. When we update, we’ll alert people by posting this at the top of the homepage and sending out a tweet. We’ll also send it out in the Morning Insurrection newsletter.
We have continued to follow Mandy’s progress, and to report about her condition to the many readers who care deeply about her:
Update: Mandy Nagy two years later
Update – Mandy Nagy 3 years later
Update – Mandy Nagy 4 years later
I have received another update from Mandy’s mom:
Hi Bill,
Thank you for thinking of Mandy each year. Mandy’s condition remains pretty much the same except that her ability to walk is decreasing.
Since her right side is paralyzed, with some feeling in that leg, she needs more support than previously to walk. Despite our efforts to get her up and exercising, she now depends on her wheelchair more often than before. I used to be able to transport her from her place to mine using a cane. But now she needs to use her chair and I need another person to help with getting her up a few steps whereas before I could get her up the steps by myself.
However, she seems to be a bit sharper in her thinking. Although she still cannot talk, except for a few words, she is now remembering some small things that she hadn’t before. For instance, she remembered it is her brother’s birthday. Normally that’s not something she thinks about or would remember. I was surprised. She seems content and not depressed. It’s hard for us to see how that can be, but it is. She listens to music on her IPad and watches HGTV much of the day. A home health aide comes every day to take care of her and I fill in on Sundays and holidays.
Again, it is kind of you to remember her. I hope you and your family are well.
Regards,
Ginny
P.S. I saw your interview on FOX a while ago. I think it was with Tucker Carlson.
I’ll always remember the Mandy I wrote about when she joined us “officially” in June, 2013, Welcoming Mandy Nagy to Legal Insurrection:
Mandy Nagy (aka “Liberty Chick”) is a leading investigative writer and researcher, primarily covering the institutional left, protest movements, hacking and cybercrime, and technology.
For many years Mandy has been at the forefront of breaking stories about connections between and among left-wing groups, working with Andrew Breitbart and others.
In late March, I asked Mandy to help with some research projects related to the Illinois-02 special election, and then the #OpIsrael hacking and the Boston Marathon bombing. It was something of a “soft opening,” but over time Mandy has taken on more and more responsibilities here, and now is a daily contributor. So I think the “soft opening” deserves a formal Welcome so readers can learn more about her.
We could use her now.
Readers often ask me to pass on messages to Mandy and her family. I think the best way is for you to post any messages in the comments, and I’ll make sure Mandy’s mom sees them.
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Comments
Life is not fair.
But God is good. Trust Him in all things, regardless of how they may seem.
Life is unfair and their is no god.
Are these two facts related? Depends on your god, I suppose.
and yes I know how to spell “there.” Apologies…..
Actually, there is a God, and He is the God of the Bible, and He sent Jesus, the second Person of the Godhead, as His only begotten Son, to die for the sins of the world. God then raised Jesus from the dead, never to die again, confirming that God accepted His sacrifice.
There is plenty of evidence for the existence of God, and for Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. In fact, I myself have discovered the Gospel (in bare, shorthand, essence that Jesus died and then was resurrected) in Mathematics — specifically, in the Natural Logarithm (“ln(x)”). I call that discovery, “God’s Number”. I have a Facebook page about it: https://facebook.com/numberofgod (“…facebook.com/godsnumber” was already taken [and is about the minimum number of moves that can solve a Rubik’s Cube]).
At that webpage, I have a short (roughly 10-page) article about my discovery. It is the first thing I posted there, and the first “Note”. Much of it is dry and boring, as I had to support and justify some of the assumptions made, and I had to explain some terms. Towards the end of the article is a colored graph that essentially summarizes/shows the discovery (the graph consists of three straight lines, and the graph of the Natural Logarithm, plus a vertical dashed line that represents the solution [what I call, “God’s Number”, which wwould more precisely be called, “Jesus’ Number”, but that’s awkward to pronounce]). Just prior to or following the graph is a brief description explaining the graph. I’m currently trying to write a book about my discovery, but writer’s block is a vile foe.
Correction: I see that the “Note” I have on Facebook does not have the colored graph. Strange. Anyway, here is a direct link to that colored graph: https://www.facebook.com/numberofGod/photos/a.910626775652786/910626895652774/?type=3&source=54&ref=page_internal .
The description of the colored graph is found at the end of the “Note”, immediately following a listing of the three equations represented by the three straight lines and a listing of the Natural Logarithm (in the original article, the description had a matching color-coding for the equations with their corresponding lines).
I am glad that she is content and apparently not suffering, and sad that the damage was so severe that she may not be aware of her situation. I especially feel bad for her mother. It is a horrible thing to deal with.
Mandy, I’m still so grateful for your fine work. Prayers and good wishes for you!
There are words that cannot always be expressed fully when reading about Mandy. Yet, those of us who are long time readers here do miss Mandy’s sharp wit and her passion in her writings. Though her words may be few may her family always remain proud of her accomplishments.
May God bless Mandy and her family of caretakers. May she feel our love and prayers!
I am glad to hear that she seems content.
Mandy and her family should know that they are always in the thoughts and prayers of many, many LI readers.
Oh, Mandy, God Bless you! We do miss your style on Legal Insurrection, and your drive… but you are not alone in you passion to get the Truth out, and many are working hard to live up to the Standard you set.
Rest and be happy, think often of the Angels, and trust that we’ve got your back in this.
~Mr. Michael
Prof., thank you for the update.
Mandy’s mom if you are reading this: know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Mandy and your family regularly, and I know there are many others like me. Even though you don’t know me or probably anyone else here, just know you aren’t forgotten or appreciated for the care you’ve given your daughter.
Stay strong and God bless.
You are loved and missed. All of us are better for all the effort and hard work you have contributed. May God watch over you and your family.
I and my family have dealt with – and are dealing with – similar circumstances with loved ones. You are not alone. The government may offer some help, but ultimately it’s up to family. And that’s the way we want it. God bless.
Bless your family and Mandy. I’ll be darned if I’ll ever understand the why’s of life, but family’s taking care of loved ones are always an inspiration.
Dr. Jacobson and the LI team, Thank you for your integrity and compassion toward Mandy and her family. Thank you also for the updates on how Mandy is doing. We pray for her and the family, and we appreciate her name remaining on the masthead as a reminder to do so.
To Mandy and her mom, We miss you Mandy and keep hoping for improvement. We are pleased to hear that you are content and have seen some improvement. You are not forgotten.
There are so many thoughts and feelings I wish I could express, but I lack the clarity and eloquence of expression that was in your writing. I wish I was there so I could hug you and thank you for your contributions to Andrew’s and our war for our culture. You remain an encouragement to carry on.
May God comfort and strengthen you and your family.
I sure do miss her. I shall go on missing her wit and intellect.
however, no matter how much I miss those things, I wish her well, more.
Man it is hard to believe it has been 5 years. Good to know she is at least living life as fully as possible. All we can do is keep praying.
Thank you for the update! I’m glad to read she’s not depressed and is finding some enjoyment in life. That’s more than a lot of people have.
What a sad story. What a good person.
Thank you for the update.
Her mother mentions “I need another person to help with getting her up a few steps.”
If there is anyone within range of her, could they put together a ramp for whichever house needs it? It would help them both greatly.
Maybe LI could sponsor a fundraiser for a ramp?
Thank you Bill for the update. A prayer for Mandy, her mother and family.
Still thinking of and praying for you, Mandy, and for your family. We miss you very, very much.
I knew of Mandy long before she joined Legal Insurrection and knew of her remarkable exploits.
I am so sad this happened to her and have been hopeful she would recover. 🙁
Still thinking of you Mandy! ?
I pray that the great Shepherd of the sheep will bless Mandy and her family with his richest blessings.
I knew Mandy through my son. We had many conversations about life and the stupid things people do in relationships and was so looking forward to her joining LI and continuing the fight for liberty but it was not to be. If I ever win the lottery she will get a sizable chunk to make her life more comfortable. God Bless her, I miss her so much.
Professor Jacobson and LI, you have my never ending respect and support for your caring for and respecting Mandy, and she would be proud of the work you are doing.
It’s hard to believe that it has been five years. I sit here at my desk thinking about how much I enjoyed her writing and spunk, I am crying. My prayers for her with be extra hopeful today. God Bless Mandy and her family.
Professor Jacobson, thank you for always letting us know how Mandy is doing. She is so missed! I’m very happy to hear she is content. My heart goes out to her and her mother. God bless you all!
Sometimes I wonder if it’s good for us (health wise) to be on our screens so much of the time but the more you are into research the more you just have to be. Mandy is so lucky for the family and friends that she has, and may God bless her always.