Published on 12, Jan 2023

Musical Artist Lauren Rosas Leaves Behind a Devastating Diagnosis to Embrace Her Renaissance

Many may become discouraged after suffering a stroke that leaves them handicapped at 29 years old. However, Goth-Country/Pop songwriter Lauren Rosas is choosing to see this tragedy through a new lens. Enter the rose-colored world of Lauren Rosas, an East County, San Diego native who is determined to show the world that when life changes frames, so can you.

“I had found some kind of success as a model and to my surprise, with my music as well,” Lauren explains. “I was a model and actress for Playboy, and two years into creating music, I was signed to a record label, Digital Currensy. I was wildly ambitious but a little too eager. Soon, I found my hands were full, trying to release an album, run a podcast, and achieve these lofty goals in such a short timeframe. My manager would frequently question if it was all too much, but I was headstrong and would always brush it off.  

“On the outside, I wanted to look like I had a lot of successful projects going; however, inside I was a house of cards waiting to collapse. In November 2021, my business began to fall apart when my identity was stolen, and my team fell apart. I had a terrible drinking and stimulant use problem that only intensified the situation. When December came, I was a shrilling 89 pounds from stress, was negative in all my bank accounts, and couldn’t even afford Metformin for my diabetes. However, I was too prideful and ashamed to admit that my business and personal health were crumbling behind closed doors.”

Lauren soon began experiencing immense pain throughout her body. This later turned out to be severe, untreated Hashimoto’s disease, a thyroid disease that ultimately led to a blood clot that caused her stroke. 

Lauren states, “I remember waking up the night it happened, feeling one side of my body ice cold and the other side hot, red, and visibly swollen. My vision was completely gone in my left eye while my left side was heavy and numb. The next day, I was hospitalized and sitting in the bed, tied to machines, and I felt a wave of regret pass over. For the first time, I was now disabled and fearful of everything to come.”

After a month in and out of wheelchairs, Rosas states she had no money left to support herself and soon had to rely on donations from friends, followers, and strangers. “It was tough to lose a portion of my mobility, but I was grateful I survived it. It was time to rebuild my life.” 

Now, dependent on the aid of a walking cane, which she calls her “third leg,” and now sober, Lauren plans to immerse herself in physical therapy in attempts to regain the strength she lost on her left side. Now focusing solely on a new journey of health and art, these days, she is making more time to stop and smell the roses. And, she no longer cares about the ego-driven timelines she once prided herself on. She’s even delved into multiple charities. She finds new purpose in helping organizations that provide medical equipment for other handicapped individuals.

“Even though I’m handicapped now, I find myself enjoying my life more,” she says. “I hope my story inspires someone to follow their dreams but to never try to rush their progress. I hope I encourage people to enjoy every moment and remember that Divine timing is never rushed.”