Joe's Stroke Recovery

Joe suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke on the afternoon of March 9 at the age of 63. Joe was healthy and active, so his stroke came as a shock to everyone who knew him. His stroke (a brain bleed) caused extensive damage. However, this type of stroke does not tend to reoccur, so if Joe can make a strong recovery, his chances of another stroke are low.

Joe's family has been seeing him through his recovery at several different facilities since March, and they have seen him make great strides from where he started. He is now able to hold longer conversations, he can sit up by himself for an extended period of time, his short-term memory is improving, and he is gaining strength and small movement on his left side. With ongoing therapy, Joe's doctors believe that he can continue to make gains in his recovery and learn to live a more independent life.
Joe out for a stroll.

Unfortunately, Joe's insurance provider is refusing to continue paying for his rehab, despite the recommendations from his doctors and despite the premiums that he has paid for years to ensure he would have outstanding coverage in the event of a catastrophe like this one. For this reason, his family is seeking donations to help prolong his therapy. With stroke recovery, the first 12 months are the most critical period, so ensuring that Joe's rehab therapy continues is his family's top priority at this time.

The rehab therapy and skilled nursing residence that Joe needs cost thousands of dollars a month. Without any assistance from insurance, Joe's and his family's ability to pay for this care out-of-pocket has quickly diminished. To keep Joe in the kind of treatment his doctors recommend in order for him to continue to get better, his family is asking for donations that they can put toward his care facilities. 
Joe out for lunch, keeping it stylish.

As those that know Joe can imagine, he has managed to keep his wonderful, witty sense of humor throughout all of this, and he loves nothing more than making his family and his nursing and therapy staff laugh.

His sisters are taking the best care of him they know how, and they want to ensure he continues to get better. They know that his friends, colleagues, neighbors, and anyone who knows Joe are praying and rooting for his recovery, and they thank God every day for the support from so many. It is difficult for them to ask for money, but they hope that if you're able, you will donate to help keep Joe on his road to recovery. All donated funds will go directly into the 2016 Joseph George Salhab Trust, a trust established by his sister and the trustee, Melissa, to support Joe's medical expenses.
Joe and his sisters last Christmas


Joe with his sister, Marie