Popular Hairstylist Recovering From Brain Aneurysm Needs Some Help

CHICAGO — For close to three decades, Kim Lesauskis has made South Side women look beautiful. A single mom, Kim, 51, supported four kids cutting hair out of her home, helping her clients look and feel their best so they could go out and meet the world.

“She is one of the best in the neighborhood,” Dawn Sobieszczyk said, Kim's best friend since first grade at St. Cajetan. “She knows everybody and does everybody’s hair.”

Earlier this month, however, Kim was suffered a brain aneurysm.

“It came out of nowhere,” Dawn said. “She woke up with a severe headache and it got progressively worse.”

Kim went to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, before being transferred to UI Hospital and Health Center, where she is currently recovering from a complex surgery, with a second surgery scheduled later in the week.

>>> GoFundMe: Love, Hope, and Support for Kim

"She has a long road ahead,” Dawn said. “She is still recovering from the surgery and will be in hospital for three to four weeks. It may be awhile before she can go back to work.”

Kim is always the first to donate to an online fundraiser for an ailing neighbor or friend, or give a kid whose family is going through financial hardship a free back-to-school haircut. One thing she would never do is ask her friends and family for help. Her aunt and daughters, Suzannae, 21, and Savannah, 20, have organized a GoFundMe campaign.

“She’s starting to ask questions. ‘Am I going to lose my house,’” her friend Dawn said. "She doesn’t ask for money but she needs it.”

Her children – 30-year-old Chance, a suburban police officer, Leo, a college freshman and her daughters – have been with their mom 24/7.

“Their mom is the glue that holds the family together," Dawn said. "The kids are all losing days of work. There is gas and parking from going back and forth downtown, and there are bills to pay.”

Kim grew up in Beverly and is a 1990 graduate of Mother McAuley High School. Her late father was a Chicago Fire Department lieutenant, and her late mother was a home hospice care nurse. She raised her children in Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn. She recently moved to Merrionette Park.

“My mom is progressing positively and getting stronger each day, but still has a long uncertain road ahead of her .. Whenever I ask my mom what she needs all she ever asks for is prayers,” Kim’s daughter Suzanne wrote in an update. “We are so thankful to have such wonderful friends, family, and most of all an amazing community. You have all made such a positive difference in our lives and again words will never be enough to explain how grateful we truly are.”

To make a donation or offer words of support, visit Love, Hope, and Support for Kim on GoFundMe.

Her friend Dawn told Patch that the few times Kim has been allowed to look at her phone, the first thing she does is check Facebook. So, Kim, if you’re reading this, know that the community has your back and we all wish you the very best.