From A Stroke & Walker To Ironman
Donation protected
From Walker To Ironman
Please Support Chris Conlon, Stroke Survivor
A Story of Hope
“He’s had a stroke.” the doctor told his parents. They were stunned to realize he could no longer talk, read, or write. He had a langauge disorder called aphasia.
Their bright son who’d been so active now lay mute and totally paralyzed on his right side. He was 36.
Chris had been working as a telecommunications engineer in Afghanistan; communication was his career. He’d been a working television actor. He was an avid athlete.
Life as he knew it was over – and a new life was ahead.
But Chris knew how to train. With determination. Consistency. And Motivation.
He began with baby steps and a walker. Slowly, he re-gained the use of his right leg.
He envisioned himself running again. He so wanted to compete in an Ironman one day.
Just 4 years later, with countless hours in rehab and training, stroke survivor Chris Conlon is competing in an Ironman Competition in September, 2016.
While Chris regained the use of his arm and leg - his speech continues to affect him. Communication is something we all take for granted – until it is gone.
He felt so alone. And isolated.
Chris attended an Aphasia Recovery Connection Retreat. After spending time with others with aphasia, Chris went to his parents.
Unable to say the words, he wrote this on his iPad whiteboard, “$."
“Didn’t you pay for registration for your next marathon?” They were prepared to leave for an Iceland Marathon in only a few days.
Chris shook his head, indicating that that wasn’t it. Having aphasia often leads to these “games of charades.”
He knew exactly what he wanted to say. His intellect was intact. But the ability to get his words out was nearly impossible.
“What do you need money for?” his dad asked, reaching for his wallet.
“NO!” Chris said. And the frustration mounted. He held up his hand for them to stop guessing. He wanted time to think. How could he get his message across?
He wrote once again on the iPad these letters, “A R C.”
“ARC!” his mom understood. “You want to run for the Aphasia Recovery Connection?”
Success.
That was just like Chris. To think of others.
Raising money for The Aphasia Recovery Connection would help the nonprofit grow.
That was a turning point in his life. He’d lost his job. He’d lost communication.
But Chris found purpose in helping an organization that helped him.
Chris has been running for ARC ever since and he is their largest fundraiser.
Chris is currently training for the Ironman, one of the most difficult athletic challenges in the world. Chris plans to:
Swim 2.4 miles
Ride a bike for 112 miles
Run 26.2 miles
Chris ran a half Ironman in May 2015 and will do another in July 2016. He rode his bike with friends from Baltimore to Cooperstown in honor of one of his idols, Babe Ruth.
Chris has found a passion and a purpose. But he can’t do it alone.
He is asking for your help.
Can you help Chris by supporting The Aphasia Recovery Connection in his honor?
The Aphasia Recovery Connection helped Chris overcome the isolation that many stroke survivors face. ARC encourages survivors with motivation, education, and support for family members as well as thru social media, their website, and thru on-site programs.
ARC was started by families – for families. While there are many organizations that offer education, what sets ARC apart is that they have lived it. They understand the incredibly difficult emotions people go thru. Like Chris. Losing a job.
Losing the ease of talking on the phone. Losing the ability to read a good book. Or reading a text.
Please support Chris with his effort to support The Aphasia Recovery Connection.
He’s fighting for others. And he asks you to do the same.
All donations are tax deductible.
The Aphasia Recovery Connection
424 Second St.
Marietta, OH 45750
Please consider a donation today.
Help Chris - Help Others.
Please Support Chris Conlon, Stroke Survivor
A Story of Hope
“He’s had a stroke.” the doctor told his parents. They were stunned to realize he could no longer talk, read, or write. He had a langauge disorder called aphasia.
Their bright son who’d been so active now lay mute and totally paralyzed on his right side. He was 36.
Chris had been working as a telecommunications engineer in Afghanistan; communication was his career. He’d been a working television actor. He was an avid athlete.
Life as he knew it was over – and a new life was ahead.
But Chris knew how to train. With determination. Consistency. And Motivation.
He began with baby steps and a walker. Slowly, he re-gained the use of his right leg.
He envisioned himself running again. He so wanted to compete in an Ironman one day.
Just 4 years later, with countless hours in rehab and training, stroke survivor Chris Conlon is competing in an Ironman Competition in September, 2016.
While Chris regained the use of his arm and leg - his speech continues to affect him. Communication is something we all take for granted – until it is gone.
He felt so alone. And isolated.
Chris attended an Aphasia Recovery Connection Retreat. After spending time with others with aphasia, Chris went to his parents.
Unable to say the words, he wrote this on his iPad whiteboard, “$."
“Didn’t you pay for registration for your next marathon?” They were prepared to leave for an Iceland Marathon in only a few days.
Chris shook his head, indicating that that wasn’t it. Having aphasia often leads to these “games of charades.”
He knew exactly what he wanted to say. His intellect was intact. But the ability to get his words out was nearly impossible.
“What do you need money for?” his dad asked, reaching for his wallet.
“NO!” Chris said. And the frustration mounted. He held up his hand for them to stop guessing. He wanted time to think. How could he get his message across?
He wrote once again on the iPad these letters, “A R C.”
“ARC!” his mom understood. “You want to run for the Aphasia Recovery Connection?”
Success.
That was just like Chris. To think of others.
Raising money for The Aphasia Recovery Connection would help the nonprofit grow.
That was a turning point in his life. He’d lost his job. He’d lost communication.
But Chris found purpose in helping an organization that helped him.
Chris has been running for ARC ever since and he is their largest fundraiser.
Chris is currently training for the Ironman, one of the most difficult athletic challenges in the world. Chris plans to:
Swim 2.4 miles
Ride a bike for 112 miles
Run 26.2 miles
Chris ran a half Ironman in May 2015 and will do another in July 2016. He rode his bike with friends from Baltimore to Cooperstown in honor of one of his idols, Babe Ruth.
Chris has found a passion and a purpose. But he can’t do it alone.
He is asking for your help.
Can you help Chris by supporting The Aphasia Recovery Connection in his honor?
The Aphasia Recovery Connection helped Chris overcome the isolation that many stroke survivors face. ARC encourages survivors with motivation, education, and support for family members as well as thru social media, their website, and thru on-site programs.
ARC was started by families – for families. While there are many organizations that offer education, what sets ARC apart is that they have lived it. They understand the incredibly difficult emotions people go thru. Like Chris. Losing a job.
Losing the ease of talking on the phone. Losing the ability to read a good book. Or reading a text.
Please support Chris with his effort to support The Aphasia Recovery Connection.
He’s fighting for others. And he asks you to do the same.
All donations are tax deductible.
The Aphasia Recovery Connection
424 Second St.
Marietta, OH 45750
Please consider a donation today.
Help Chris - Help Others.
Organizer
Renate Gessner Conlon
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
