Ron W.
Monday, January 24, 2011
By: Kathryn D.

Survivor

You know Ron had a stroke given his impaired gait and aphasia. He walks with a walker and wears orthotics. But his deficits don't mar his cheerful attitude and drive to overcome disability. He was diagnosed with a stroke in 1996. His admission to acute care was followed by inpatient and outpatient therapy at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. Ron's speech was limited, but he continued speech class at Adler Aphasia Center. Before his stroke, he was employed as an executive at a corporation. He gave up his job due to his stroke. Ron was unable to find employment so he decided to volunteer at KIR hoping to help other stroke patients. Ron assisted stroke survivors by teaching them to communicate using computers. He enrolled in online speech class at Kean College and practiced sessions using Skype. KIR recognized Ron's 12 years of service and presented him with “Kessler's Volunteer of the Year.” Ron worked with staff in the Admissions, HR, Medical Records and Psychology departments. He is active in two stroke support groups. He mentored students and was the motivation for their aphasia project. He taught them to speak slowly and remember aphasic patients haven't lost their intelligence or become deaf. He volunteered in Dr. Barrett's study of hidden visual problems. Ron knows, as only a stroke survivor can, how independence depends on knowing the environment nonverbally. Kessler staff describes Ron as a great person, inspiring, dedicated and simply the BEST! Ron's advice is that life goes on after stroke, so never give up!