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Kelly W.  Kelly Survivor I had an ischemic stroke on December 7, 2005. At that time, I was an active person traveling often for my job, who enjoyed bicycling, swimming, skiing, skating, and above all, playing with my then three-year-old daughter. I was alone when stricken, but was able to recognize what was happening and call 911. I made it to the hospital within three hours- IMPORTANT!- and was given tPA. Although this didn't eliminate the clot, I feel it reduced the resulting brain tissue damage. I was left essentially paralyzed on my right side, and I am right handed. Four years later, I am back at the same job, speaking to customers and traveling again world-wide. I attribute this two things: an utter will and determination to reach as high a level of recovery as possible so as to be a real part my daughter's life, and my absolute determination to work with my occupational and physical therapists. These people have had a such an impact upon my life and the life change that occurs with stroke. My motto is Don't Give Up - Anything Is Possible. And it is. To this day I continue to experience miraculous events in recovery. I was told by my first neurologist that any recovery that I might experience would occur within the first 12 months following my stroke, and that would be it. How wrong he was. Stroke does change your life, but it is YOUR choice on how you choose to view that change. |
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