At around 5:30PM on Thursday, March 30th, while at work at Winchester Public School, Kelly “Rubber” Beckstead was rushed to the Civic Hospital with symptoms of a stroke.

Doctors confirmed that he was suffering from a stroke, and given how quickly this all happened, he was eligible for both intense clot disintegrating medication and to be part of a new study with a procedure called a thrombectomy (they go through the groin and up into the brain to remove clots). The thrombectomy was successful in removing one of two blockages in Rubber’s brain.

Doctors were also able to confirm that Rubber’s strokes were caused by a hole in his heart (which he has had since he was born but didn’t know). There was nothing he could have done to prevent this.

The outcome is that Rubber is paralyzed on his right side, and he can’t talk. However, he is awake and recognizes, loves and misses his loved ones - especially his two little boys - Keegan (10) and Kashton (7).

Unfortunately, he developed pneumonia over the weekend as well which means he is on oxygen. For the time being, he also has a feeding tube.

Doctors are assuring us that he will improve, and we are hopeful, but it will be a long, difficult road ahead.

In the immediate, doctors are focusing on establishing a rehabilitation plan to maximize recovery.

There will be a number of expenses along the way, and we as a community want to support the Beckstead family. Money collected through this site will go toward travel, food and parking in the next little while, and will help with expenses ahead.

Treena is grateful for all of the support and ongoing prayers. Please keep praying.