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American Stroke Foundation
Stroke Activity Center
5960 Dearborn
Mission, KS 66202
Phone: 913-649-1776
Toll Free: 1-866-549-1776
Fax: 913-649-6661
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Welcome “Survivors” to ASF
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| Ralph Pusey, Stroke Survivor |
When I first got the Foundation, I was mad, apprehensive, and foolish. I was still feeling sorry for myself! After I was here, I found the volunteers, staff, and survivors welcomed me immensely. Thank God they [ASF] are here in KC! If we didn’t have it [ASF] I would be in a deep depression at home watching TV. I’m a type A and being part of the speakers’ bureau really helps me. Now I know “You really can get better by working”. Our new location is so much better because there are more participants now. “The volunteers and staff are angels”! - Ralph Pusey, Stroke Survivor
Meet some of our other Inspiring Survivors…
Lesley
I am a 33 year old stroke survivor, wife and mother of a 3 year old. On January 20, 2003 we were at some friend’s house and I had the worst headache of my life which turned out to be the worst moment of my life. Within minutes I had collapsed in their front yard in front of my husband and son. The last thing I remember is our friend telling Charlie, “We need to call 911.”
The ambulance took me to St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs where they took one look at me and knew they couldn’t help so they called St. Luke’s and were told they were full but the E.R. Doctor told them that St. Luke’s was my only hope. I underwent major brain surgery and the surgeon didn’t give my family much hope of me living let alone making any kind of recovery. I remained at St. Luke’s in a coma and was later transferred to Overland Park Select to get me off the ventilator, which they did within 3 weeks. That is where I have my first memories. I remember the speech therapist placing ice bags on parts of my body and telling me where she was putting it. I also remember getting a shower that and it was terrifying at the time. My family didn’t realize that I was in and out of the coma at that time.
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| Lesley, Stroke Survivor |
After Select I was sent to Spring Bridge in Grandview and the staff was so concerned about my high blood pressure that I really didn’t receive much therapy. After one month there I went to Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital in Columbia, MO where I remained for six months. The doctors there put me on brain medications that are still part of my daily life. Within days they made it possible for me to communicate with my family by spelling out words on a letter board and that was when my family realized that I had been out of the coma for a while but I was “locked in”. What a wondering feeling to be able to finally communicate with the outside world. Within days I went from barley moving a fingertip to moving my feet and on June 20 I said my first word and I’ve been talking ever since. I was released to go home on October 15, 2003 and we lived with my in-laws until our handicapped accessible home was built in Grain Valley on February 21.
My disabilities are physical not cognitive. I am unable to walk, I have severe ataxia, I have vision and hearing problems and as I result I require 24 hour care.
The challenges I face today are MANY. I cannot dress myself or get on the commode; I cannot help with caring for my 3 year old son or just picking him up whenever I want to. I have to eat mostly pureed food and 98% of my liquid intake is through a feeing tube.
My family has definitely been affected by this. Before this happened we had decided not to have anymore children and now we realize this was “meant to be”. I didn’t get to live with my son for almost a year and I am just starting to rebuild my relationship with him. It’s beneficial to me to go where other people have had a stroke. When I was in other rehab groups most everyone had different brain injuries but at ASF we’re all in the “same boat”.
An example to me of what we all can and should do in this world…leave a legacy…in the lives of those we love. I believe that’s something worth leaving behind. - Lee Ann Womack
Ted
This fun loving New York transplant keeps our activity center interesting…
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| Ted, Stroke Survivor |
Without a doubt, the programs offered by the American Stroke Foundation have helped in countless ways to assist me in bouncing back from the effects of the stroke I had in May 2002. Stroke House has provided me with the companionship of other survivors and given me a network to share information relating to treatment and programs, including the KU Stroke and Wellness program. Without this program, I doubt if I’d be walking today as I am now with a cane.
My time at ASF is well spent. I participate in a stroke support group, exercise class, and serve as a current events teacher for my fellow survivors afflicted by aphasia, as luckily my stroke didn’t affect me that way. I look forward to Friday afternoons for our pot luck lunch and music sing along which follows.
Sharing experiences with my fellow stroke survivors makes me feel positive about things. In working with Margaret, who has acute aphasia, I was astounded when she responded to my asking her what her last name was. She answered, “Taylor”, the first word I’ve ever heard her speak. She now makes an effort to speak regularly. Music with Maggie on Friday afternoons lets me become a bathroom baritone, and I regularly come home hoarse.
I dread to think where I’d be today if it were not for these programs sponsored by the ASF. The alternative for me would be spending time alone at home while my sons are at school and my wife is at work. They have all benefited and enjoy picking me up at the end of the afternoon and asking about my day.
Patience is a bitter plant but it has sweet fruit. - German proverb
Pacifico
Pacifico, Stroke Survivor
Priscilla and I came to know and get involved in the American Stoke Foundation programs. The ASF has given me a chance and opportunity to feel again being a part of society. The acceptance, compassions, kind attitudes, and friendliness atmosphere of the foundation reassures me of a better life to live in the future!
It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him. - Abraham Lincoln
Bob
Bob, Stroke Survivor
Dr B, as he is affectionately known at our activity center, is a Board Certified Emergency Room physician and anesthesiologist. Additionally, he is an accomplished pilot, having served in the U.S. Air force. His hobbies included snow skiing, scuba diving, swimming, reading and computer technology. Dr. B experienced a rare complication – a CVA during a quadruple by-pass; resulting in left side paralysis of his arm and hand, left side weakness, loss of speech, and impaired vision. Since his arrival at ASF, he has seen marked improvement and continues to draw strength and courage from others. His goal is to one day be able to once again help others.
Adrien and Lisa Liem
Adrian Liem, Stroke Survivor
My husband and I became part of the American Stroke Foundation (ASF) three months ago. We could never erase the memory of our first day walking into ASF. We were very much welcomed by the family member of ASF: a warm and sincere acceptance, a feeling that will linger in our life for many years to come.
Adrian Liem, Stroke Survivor
To us, ASF is like a melting pot of hope, belief, support and many other ingredients and spices that with effort and perseverance will produce a remarkable wonderful sweet life. The family members of ASF consist of people from all walks of life, mothers, fathers, grandparents, doctors, professors; you name it they are there. However, in ASF, there is no title, no rank or social difference. We are in one situation/circumstance, the victims of stroke, the survivors, and the care givers: die hard people of iron will, strong believers and motivators, people that able to stand themselves up to see their future ahead. All these are because of the ASF effort to put things together for us. ASF helps us with tender loving care and perseverance to walk to the light of hope and future. These are our feelings and thoughts that we have experienced during the short three months since we became a members of ASF. Our sincere thanks to ASF - Adrian and Lisa Liem
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© 2008 American Stroke Foundation
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