On April 16, 2025, I suffered several strokes and had heart surgery in August 2025. I was in the hospital for almost a month and have continued outpatient therapy.
Over the last year, I have had over 200 hours of outpatient therapy (OT, PT, Speech) and countless doctor’s appointments at four hospitals with many doctors/specialists. I’ve reach amazing milestones this year. I learned to walk again (first with a walker and now independently), type and write again, eat/swallowing food/liquids and most importantly, I learned to talk again (although Saylour says I don’t talk as fast). I passed the driving tests and got my Driver’s License back, and I’m back to work 12 hours a week. I’m still working to strengthen the left side of my body, but if you saw me, you would never know where I was a year ago.
A year later, the journey to recovery continues. I’m still in disbelief that this happened to me, but I know there is a village of people to help me, Mike and Saylour along the way. I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without everyone’s continued support and encouragement.
I’m looking forward to having my “village” with me at this year’s Heart Walk!