Please Help Give Sight and Stroke Recovery to Sam

Sam Vandenorth suffered a life altering major event on August 29, 2023, a massive bilateral thalamic stroke.

He woke up with vision, speech, and balance issues and rushed to Froedert Hospital of Menomonee Falls. Once there, he was unable to remain conscious and was put on life support. He remained on life support in a coma for 4 days before waking. He was in ICU for 15 days. On September 12, Sam was transported to Froedert Rehabilitation Hospital, where he is currently. He will be starting daily outpatient rehab services by end of the week.

Bilateral thalamic strokes are very rare. Only about .6% of strokes that occur are thalamic ( which is deep in middle of brain) and of those only 4% are bilateral ( meaning 2 occuring at same time). The ER neurologist had not ever seen this type of stroke before. They are so rare that the long term outcome is unknown.

Sam is working hard to regain his balance, short term memory skills, cognitive skills, and eye sight. Due to the stroke, Sam has oculomotor palsy, which is where your eyes have problems aligning and that makes everything else so much harder. He has double or triple vision at times, causing issues with things we take for granted like writing, reading , and using cell phone, or watching TV.

Sam has kept his fun loving spirit, sense of humor, and huge loving heart. He has deep love for his family and friends in FL and WI.

He cannot wait to see his sidekick, Ellie, a Labrador/ St. Bernard mix he rescued in 2010 from an abusive situation she could have easily succumbed to. They have been inseparable since.

His huge personality, big heart, and love for adventure has remained stand out traits.

He has a strong faith in Jesus and he has always wanted to use situations he has been through to come alongside to care for and help others and has dreams to do so in a much bigger way now once he recovers.

Sam is currently unable to work where his expertise lies, in the HVAC industry. He has worked in this field since the age of 16 in FL and WI and his knowledge in it has been an incredible asset to the companies he has worked for. His knowledge has been priceless.

Sam is going to need long term rehabilitation. He is going to need 24/7 care moving forward. Sam needs special equipment, unpaid for by insurance, to help assist him in life due to his vision oculomotor issues. He is in need of help with transportation expenses and well as relocation and housing expenses.

Any donation to help Sam would be deeply and immensely appreciated. Praise God he has made it this far in his recovery. Thank you so very much for all prayers and donations. Much appreciation and love to all of you ❤️

UPDATE: Sam is now in extensive outpatient stroke recovery rehabilitation. He is working hard to restore his cognitive and physical abilities. His cranial nerve is still healing and he will be in care of a neuro opthalmologist as his recovery progresses. His program includes physical, speech, and occupational therapies. He is in need of help with transportation and moving expenses. Thank you so very much for all the prayers and donations. ❤️❤️❤️