Keith Botelho’s Road to Recovery
Donation protected
On August 19th, 2013 Keith suffered an acute stroke which left him unable to speak, move his right arm, and limited the movement of his right leg. He was 51 years old when he had his stroke, which was caused by a closed carotid artery.
Keith's ability to understand others was never lost, Thank God, which had been a possibility due to the severity of his stroke. With determination, his ability to walk seemed to improve for nearly 10 months and then he began having severe spasms in the stroke leg which left him bedbound from June to September of 2014.
His medications and the Botox injections he receives in his leg have not helped the pain he gets daily from the spasms, but true-to-form, Keith fights the pain and has tried to regain the mobility he previously had. His right arm and his speech will involve another long battle for Keith but he is young and strong.
Through research by Keith’s brother, it was discovered that stem cell therapy was being studied for treatment of stroke patients. I contacted Mass General, Spaulding Rehab, Harvard University and Boston University in the hopes that this research was being conducted on the East Coast. Boston University was conducting stem cell research, but their research trials were limited to pulmonary disorders and blood diseases - nothing for stroke. Then my sister cut out and article on retie NHL coach, Gordie Howe, who suffered a stroke in December of 2014 and received stem cell treatment three months later in Tijuana, Mexico. I contacted Mr. Howe's son and he relayed that the stem cell treatment had a phenomenal effect on his father's recovery. The thought of giving Keith a chance to walk independently, speak words, is something his family has prayed for and I hope we can give him. The treatment would involve two injections - one in his back and one via IV in his arm. There would be overnight stay required at the Novastem Clinic in Tijuana and then Keith would be released to go home. The cost for these injections is $32,000. Getting Keith to California (San Diego is the closest airport) is a factor as he currently needs to be transported via a stretcher but transportation will be the least of the worries.
Keith is a loving son, brother, husband as well as a good friend to those who called him friend. He was well known for working hard, very hard. So hard that when first admitted for his stroke to RI Hospital, they needed to check his glucose as diabetes is common problem post-stroke and when the nurse tried to prick his fingers, she couldn't. Keith’s fingertips were so callused and tough from years of working hard.
I don't expect Keith to be working on staging anymore like in the below picture, but any help in allowing Keith to have a better quality of life is something I hope to give him with your help. I can't say 'Thank You' enough for any help.
Keith's ability to understand others was never lost, Thank God, which had been a possibility due to the severity of his stroke. With determination, his ability to walk seemed to improve for nearly 10 months and then he began having severe spasms in the stroke leg which left him bedbound from June to September of 2014.
His medications and the Botox injections he receives in his leg have not helped the pain he gets daily from the spasms, but true-to-form, Keith fights the pain and has tried to regain the mobility he previously had. His right arm and his speech will involve another long battle for Keith but he is young and strong.
Through research by Keith’s brother, it was discovered that stem cell therapy was being studied for treatment of stroke patients. I contacted Mass General, Spaulding Rehab, Harvard University and Boston University in the hopes that this research was being conducted on the East Coast. Boston University was conducting stem cell research, but their research trials were limited to pulmonary disorders and blood diseases - nothing for stroke. Then my sister cut out and article on retie NHL coach, Gordie Howe, who suffered a stroke in December of 2014 and received stem cell treatment three months later in Tijuana, Mexico. I contacted Mr. Howe's son and he relayed that the stem cell treatment had a phenomenal effect on his father's recovery. The thought of giving Keith a chance to walk independently, speak words, is something his family has prayed for and I hope we can give him. The treatment would involve two injections - one in his back and one via IV in his arm. There would be overnight stay required at the Novastem Clinic in Tijuana and then Keith would be released to go home. The cost for these injections is $32,000. Getting Keith to California (San Diego is the closest airport) is a factor as he currently needs to be transported via a stretcher but transportation will be the least of the worries.
Keith is a loving son, brother, husband as well as a good friend to those who called him friend. He was well known for working hard, very hard. So hard that when first admitted for his stroke to RI Hospital, they needed to check his glucose as diabetes is common problem post-stroke and when the nurse tried to prick his fingers, she couldn't. Keith’s fingertips were so callused and tough from years of working hard.
I don't expect Keith to be working on staging anymore like in the below picture, but any help in allowing Keith to have a better quality of life is something I hope to give him with your help. I can't say 'Thank You' enough for any help.
Organizer
Michele Botelho
Organizer
Newport, RI
