Rachel E.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
By: Rachel E.

Survivor

On September 14, 2006, at the age of 25, I had a stroke a week after giving birth to my son, which left me unable to talk and paralyzed on my right side. I spent two weeks in a medically-induced coma, six weeks in inpatient rehab, six months in outpatient rehab, three years and still counting at Aphasia and Occupational Therapy clinics, and two years living with my parents, which felt like a lifetime. I now live with my son and my fiance (another stroke survivor) in my Habitat for Humanity house.

Since my stroke I have had the opportunity to speak to nursing classes about my stroke, and all the experiences that come with it. I have spoken at many Habitat for Humanity fundraising events. I wrote a children's book that explains a stroke in words that kids can understand. The book is in the process of being published by the National Aphasia Association. I hope to go back to my former profession, social work.