Help get Scott to a Stroke Clinic!

Hi Everyone,

On April 18th, 2022 my family's world changed forever. While on vacation in western Maryland at Deepcreek Lake, Scott suffered a massive stroke. It was a complete shock as he had no symptoms other than a headache. Our daughters and I were at the movie theater across the street. Scott stayed behind to rest and try to get rid of his headache. When me and the girls got back to the hotel room Scott was on the floor, unable to speak or move. We called 911 right away. At the small hospital at the lake found a clot blocking the blood flow to his brain. He had to be transferred to West Virginia Univerity Medical Hospital which was about 45 minutes away. At 7:30 that evening, the surgeon from WVU called and said he had removed the clot; however, Scott had suffered some significant brain damage. He told me there was a tear in his Carotid Artery and he suspected that this caused the clot. His prognosis for recovery at this point was unclear.

We were in West Virginia for 2 weeks. At this point, assessments were made, and Scott's right side was affected. He could not move his right arm and leg and had difficulty eating. He was put on a diet with a special consistency and thickened liquids. He was still unable to speak, but he knew who I was. He was very confused. It was also determined that a piece of the clot broke off and blocked a vessel in his left eye. He is now permanently blind in that eye.

We are now 8 months out of the stroke and Scott has made some amazing progress. He did 6 weeks of in-patient rehab at Kessler in Marlton NJ. When he arrived he was unable to walk. Upon his return home, he was walking with a walker; however needed some help with his Activity of Daily Living skills. Scott was and still is suffering from aphasia and some short term memory loss. He often calls things by the wrong name, has difficulty engaging in conversations and sometimes calls the girls "Steve", his little brother's name.

I took a leave of absence from my job and we worked really hard to get Scott as independent as possible before I returned to work in September.

He is doing amazing! He attends therapy 2 times a week for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy and 1 time a week for Speech Therapy.

His right arm is still a challenge. He is now just starting to be able to move his fingers.

We have an opportunity to attend a Stroke Clinic in Charleston, SC this February. This clinic is an intensive 2 day therapy session. The team of Occupational Therapists have specialized in Neuroplasticity and will help to get his arm to move again. They will also fit him for a device called the Saebo Glove that will help him grasp things again with his right hand.

I appreciate all the help and support from our family and firends. As we patiently await a decision from Social Security, we hope this will help raise some funds to help pay for the clinic as none of it is covered by insurance. I promised Scott I would do anything in my power to get him there!

Thank you all for reading!

Much Love to all,

Scott and Roseatta