You can save another soul from giving up hope, giving up on themselves, believing that this life is all there is. YOU can be their rock, offer words of healing and encouragement, help bring BELIEF back to life... - Beavers & Douglas

Grace Lightizer, Caregiver

Hello there. My name is Grace and I’m the caregiver for my husband Bob who had a stroke 1-year ago. I’m guessing, since you clicked on this link, you are a caregiver too! Do I have good news for you!

At The American Stroke Foundation, a lot of care is taken to make our lives so much better. The planners here always have 2 or 3 special programs each month especially for the caregivers. Some are very educational about issues related to our challenges and some are simply designed to spoil us rotten.

We caregivers are also very supportive of each other. We all have had such similar problems and concerns and we all have “walked the walk.” We understand about matters family members or friends may have difficulty even comprehending.

Do stop by! We’ll show you around and sit and rest a spell. We’ve got coffee or a soda, tissues, and even a shoulder if you need one! – Grace Lightizer

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded... - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pearline & Bob Motley, Caregiver

Meet some of our other Inspiring Caregivers…

Bob

“If I didn’t think it was worth it, I wouldn’t be here and she wouldn’t be here….” states Bob Motley, caregiver and supporter of ASF. According to Bob, his wife has improved by coming here and it has relieved some of the stress and pain by bringing her here…“thinking that she is gonna get better by coming here-puts my mind at ease.” Bob recalls “I questioned the foundation for three years before I brought Pearl. I brought her because I saw improvement in some people, I saw a man walk the other day without his cane! I’m observant every day I come here and I can see the good that the foundation has done. The foundation is wonderful because the foundation has helped a lot of people.” – Bob Motley


You can save another soul from giving up hope, giving up on themselves, believing that this life is all there is. YOU can be their rock, offer words of healing and encouragement, help bring BELIEF back to life... - Beavers & Douglas

Laura

May 19, 2002-I'll never forget the date because it marks our lives before and after my husband's stroke.

Before my husband's stroke I took it for granted that he would always be able to work, drive a car, be able to do things with our sons, and that we would grow older together enjoying our children as they went out on their own. After his stroke, Ted was a person who had to learn how to deal with a life that was vastly altered, as did we all.

After the stroke, I wondered if he'd walk again, which he has with the aid of a cane. After the stroke, I wondered if he'd be there for his sons in whatever way possible, which he is when they need help with Spanish or have a question he can answer for them, or just watch a game together on the television. After the stroke, I wondered if Ted would ever work again, which he's just started doing, part time.

But this would all have been much harder without the American Stroke Foundation. ASF has provided the "home" in which my husband can be with other survivors and gain solace from knowing he's not in this alone. ASF is the "home" in which my husband can safely participate in classes for mind and body when rehabilitation has long since ended. ASF is the "home" for us both with staff members that provide a shoulder to cry on when life is harder than ever, and words of encouragement when it's hard to keep going in this life "after" stroke. From classes for basic academic skills lost to equipment for new and proven physical therapies, ASF helps give us hope that this new life will work.

Life after stroke is hard, but it's the reality for many of us-1 in every 5 Americans-that we will be affected by stroke in our families. While every family member can remember life before, life after is the challenge. ASF allows the family to keep going and feel that they're making a new life after, not just dwelling on what was lost from before. – Laura Marcus

Sorrow and Silence are strong, and patient endurance is godlike... - Longfellow

Priscilla

Besides the heavenly home God provides for all of us, we also have a temporary home on earth where hope, peace, love, kindness, and understanding dwells and that makes life more meaningful to live. When Pacifico had his stroke three years ago, I felt like my life was cut off from society, we tried to participate in church and community activities but still there’s that feeling of emptiness and belongingness missing in our life. The healthful surroundings at ASF demonstrated by the staff, volunteers, caregivers, and the stroke survivors are a positive signal of a bright future. The kindness, concern, expertise, and professionalism, of the staff and volunteers have lifted our spirits to a better quality of life. ASF has an excellent program, activities and provides special events which encourage the stroke survivors and caregivers to get involved. Thanks to Shirley Rose and her late husband for making this place possible for the stroke patients’ rehabilitation and support to the caregivers. It is such a relief for me top be where Pacifico is well taken care of and that’s why I volunteer and organize activities that can benefit the foundation in try to help with fund raising, like knitting and craft activities. – Priscilla Camarin