A little over four years ago, I suffered the catastrophic complications of stroke. I was unable to walk, talk, write or even make basic movements. The stroke left me mentally and physically debilitated, but yet in many ways it truly transformed me as an individual and person. It was a particularly difficult time for me as a person. Me, an accomplished attorney, engineer, and potter… I had previous
ly survived cancer; and now, a devastating stroke. I was in terrible physically condition; however my mind, although affected by the stroke, was still strong and I became determined to make earnest attempts at the best I could do of a full recovery. Despite my own personal optimism, it seemed apparent that some in the medical community had begun an affirmative campaign to dash my hopes. One hospital staffer even suggested that there was no need for me to undergo any further testing, as my long-term prognosis was not good. It was as if out of a sense of professional duty they had assisted with my recovery to a point and then my treatment simply ceased. I was told that I should be thankful that I was still alive and I was sent home. As I began my home recovery, many individuals were supportive, whispering kind and gentle thoughts. However others became frustrated when interacting with me in person. If I did not respond quickly enough they spoke louder suggesting I could not understand or they spoke through me like I was not even in the room. For some reason they thought the stroke had left me but mere shell of whom I once was as a person. There I was mind-trapped inside my own brain and body. Even my immediate family, wife and son, sacrificed me, as I quickly became isolated and alone at a time when I needed as much support and human contact as possible. It was then that I decided to dedicate my survival to successful rehabilitation because I realized this was the real challenge to the kind of future life I wanted to lead and past life I remembered. Through dedication and my own personal struggle I have learned that the mind and body are resilient and that there is real hope for many stroke survivors. With the help of a few exceptional individuals I developed my own stroke survivor’s rehabilitation community and successful rehabilitation program and I was able to pull together family, friends, care givers, physical therapists, personal trainers, teachers, speech therapist, doctors, nurses, and the like, who have worked tirelessly with me to bring me back to form as I now know life and remember form and life before the stroke. As difficult as my recovery has been, I still do have some challenges. I am now able, among other accomplishments, to walk, talk, use the computer, drive and function independently. I have taken all that I have learned and formed the non-profit Willie’s Way. A goal of Willie’s Way is to provide much needed resources to help develop a positive personal recovery approach for stroke survivors. Through sharing Willie’s experience, we anticipant working with/through the stroke survivor’s rehabilitation community, family members and caregivers to help encourage them with regards to stroke survival. Unfortunately many individuals do not have the needed financial resources that are required to develop their own personal rehabilitation program or stroke survivor’s rehabilitation community. I would appreciate your assistance and input as we continue to try to get this organization off the ground. There will be much to do, so please consider donating your time, expertise and financial contributions. I want to share my experience with the many stroke survivors who now sit at home in absolute isolation and despair. Your help will be greatly appreciated
