Hello, my name is Brandon Jonas. I am a proud father of three adult children, and my fiancée has one teenage child living with us. I am 42 years old and in generally good health, and I didn't realize how bad diabetes had affected me. I had several severe strokes on the North Slope while at work. I didn't realize at first I had been having a stroke; I thought I was just tired. Because of multiple strokes and the secluded location, I suffered several bad strokes. Initially, I couldn't talk or walk at all. I am being told they are not certain I will talk or walk correctly at all. I may have a chance to. It is a long and strenuous process. I have not given up, and at this point, I am making progress faster than initially expected. I still have trouble thinking correctly and moving my body, and I'm unable to work and pay the bills because of this. I don't want this to be a sob story, just a story that inspires other people to keep trying and never give up. No matter what the obstacle, keep pushing harder.