My
name is Doris and I am a stroke survivor. I had two hemorrhagic strokes
on January 18, 2002. At the time of the stroke, I was almost five months
pregnant. Once I arrived at the emergency room, the neurosurgeon attempted
to stop the bleeding in my brain. A half an hour later, the bleeding
started and he had to perform a second surgery. At the time of the
surgery, the surgeon made saving my baby a top priority. Once the baby
was stable, he found ways to save my life. I owe my life to the neurosurgeon
and the incredible medical staff. I am also grateful for saving my
son Emilio Alexander who was born on April 22, 2002. Emilio is my MIRACLE,
and Martin is my INCREDIBLE husband.
Part of my amazing recovery is owed to the wonderful speech therapists and physical therapists. However, this journey was not easy because I could not walk or talk for almost three years. With the help of amazing people throughout the years my recovery has drastically improved. I currently have paralysis on my right side, but I am able to walk a little bit with my cane. Finally, I regained 85% speech ability in English and trying to regain some of my Spanish. We heard about Stroke Camp Northwest by sheer coincidence. Martin was talking to the speech therapist at the hospital. The therapist happened to mention that there was a camp for stroke survivors and their love ones in Oregon. Martin thought it would be a good idea and we should go. At the time, I felt I was not ready. But, we ended up going to the camp. It was difficult for me because I couldn't talk at all. Yet after all was said and done, we really had a great time!
We have returned to Stroke Camp Northwest each year since 2003. Every year, we meet so many incredible people. At camp we have cried, laughed and smiled. We will continue to be part of Stroke Camp Northwest for many years to come. To all of the staff, stroke survivors and loved ones, I want to say “THANK YOU!”
We
first heard about Stroke Camp Northwest from mom's recreational therapist
while she was at a rehabilitation center after her stroke. Mom was
released on August 2nd, 2007 and the registration deadline was the 3rd. It
was a rushed
decision and one I'm glad we made. Mom
was very independent before her stroke and when she came home with
me to take care of her, it was a huge adjustment for both of us.
Her care and needs and the foreign-ness of how to meet and accommodate
them were overwhelming and consuming. If I hadn't already paid my registration
fee for the camp, I probably would have bagged the whole idea once
we got home because we already "had too much to deal with."
Stroke Camp really showed us a world we needed to see and that I had no idea was out there. We were signed up for the Saturday-only option. We had to get up at 5:00 in the morning. I had never "traveled" with mom in this condition. I remember stopping at the ranger station on the way up to the camp and the anxiety I had about mom getting into the handicap accessible port-a-potty there. No problem, we did it. Hmm, a strange "accomplishment", but absolutely it was one. I also remember when they said "Okay...family...leave your loved one with the students and you are going to go across the camp to a support session." That was horrifying. These people seemed extremely nice, but they didn't know my mom's needs. I had never left her alone with someone other than my sisters since she had the stroke. Again, no problem. In fact, it was great to come back to the main lodge and see a group of people around mom interacting with her and all of them smiling and laughing. I just stood there and watched for as long as I could get away with and enjoyed seeing her hold her own regardless of her speech problems.
And there are a million more details, accomplishments, activities, relationships, support, care, and life that Stroke Camp Northwest provided. I think going to camp helped us in many extraordinary and immeasurable ways and I think if we had not gotten that last minute prodding to sign up, our lives and mom's recovery would have been lessened to significant degree. Seeing many stroke survivors and their support systems and loved ones showed us that mom's quality of life can be really great. That her stroke didn't have to end who she was and the happiness she had always lived her life with. This concept was physically represented as I saw mom dancing from her wheelchair with several of the students she had made a special connection with. We left somewhere around 11:00 p.m. and the entire 1.5-hour ride home we "talked up a storm" and had a great time remembering every person and activity we had loved meeting and experiencing. That night, she made me promise to sign up as soon as possible for the following year so that we could spend the night and not have to miss out on anything!
I
was a student, an accountant, a salesman, a mountain climber, a scuba
diver, a soldier, a traveler and a husband, father (and grandfather).
I have been all those things! Trust me when I tell you that they aren't
in the same ballpark with being a stroke survivor.
It was a morning in 2006 and I was at home in Portland getting ready for the day, not knowing that a stroke was about to change my life forever. I stepped into the shower and felt dizzy but managed to shower and dress for work. I was about to leave the house when my wife noticed I couldn't walk straight without leaning on the wall. She managed to talk me into going to the hospital. Her quick recognition probably saved my life!
Fortunately for me, I live right up the hill from Providence Hospital and was there within a matter of minutes. The next few days are a blur. I spent them in intensive care and underwent brain surgery for a clot. I spent the next three months in the hospital doing a combination of recovering, speech, physical and occupational therapy. I have now come to understand that these were an important part of preparing me for my new life. I have had to re-learn practically everything from walking, talking, writing, eating and dressing myself (to name a few things). Most of all, I had to adjust mentally to my new life. To accomplish this I've had a lot of quality helpers.
Most people don't understand that a 'stroke survivor's' brain is just as active as ever. Only the ability to communicate (express yourself clearly or 'get it out') is different. A stroke is a brain attack that picks on different parts of the brain depending on where it occurs. Everyone is different. That's aphasia for me!
That brings me to Stroke Camp Northwest. Camp provides an opportunity for survivors, helpers, students and staff to get away and participate in a unique, relaxing camping experience that is both fun and at the same time helpful. The food is excellent, the students beyond helpful, the setting beautiful and the accommodations comfortable and accessible. The schedule is structured to provide learning opportunities for survivors, helpers and students. I can't say enough good things about the students (speech, occupational, and physical therapists). They are the most welcoming, helpful people I have encountered in some time. That is what has kept me coming back!
The scenery is spectacular! I took several hikes that enabled us to see some really beautiful scenery. But, I think the most valuable experience, for me, is the new friends I make each year.
To say that I am happy to have had my stroke would not be true. Most stroke survivors know 'being a stroke survivor is not for wimps'. Everyone's stroke is different. But, my stroke does seem to teach me something new each day, when I pay attention. Sometimes it's a hard lesson. Isn't that what life's about -- learning new things? If I think like that, I can be grateful.