Charles W.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
By: Rebecca W.

Stroke Survivor

Charles had a massive stroke June 1, 2005. His carotid artery clogged 100%, two hours after prostate cancer surgery. Charles was in critical intensive care for three weeks and then moved to a rehab hospital for three weeks. When I brought him home (I'm his wife), Charles could not walk or talk. We started outpatient therapy right away. A speech therapist told me that Charles would never be able to speak sentences, but we found a speech therapist who believed in him. Through many hours of speech therapy, Charles can speak in sentences. He has aphasia and sometimes finds it hard to find words. He also can walk, but for short distance.

What makes Charles stand out as a nominee is his attitude and strength. Charles has never complained one time! He says he is so proud to be alive. He has worked so hard to stay active. He attends college football games and drives in town to visit relatives and friends. Although life has changed dramatically for him, he faces life everyday with an attitude of gratefulness to be alive and is an example for all stroke and non‐stroke survivors to realize life can still be good. I know of no other person who would accept this fate with more fortitude than him. Charles is truly a stroke survivor to be admired.