I am setting up this page as Carl is too proud to ask for help.  He has worked hard for everything he has and took pride in his ability to help others.  He is a good person who is dedicated to his family.  He loves to fish and hunt and do other recreational activities.  He lost his wife of 33 years to cancer in 2012.  I came into his life when we were both going through a very difficult time.  I was going through a divorce and he with a broken heart.  We hit it off and he gave me the best year of my life.  Then on June 3rd, 2013, Carl was getting ready for work and found himself on the floor disoriented and unable to stand or walk.  His carotid artery was 100% blocked on the right side of his neck and he had suffered a major stroke.  Luckily his son had not left for work yet and heard him yelling.  He was able to get him into a truck and to a local hospital where they administered TPA.  He was transferred immediately to University of Md.  Carl was lucky to be alive and in ICU for 10 days and Kernan rehab hospital for 5 weeks thereafter.   Carl was 100% paralized on his left side.  He went from working every day, being a productive individual in our society to being confined to a wheel chair, depending on people to do everything for him.  He wanted to die.  Some days he still feels like he would have rather died than to carry on with his limitations.   He hates the thought of being a bruden to his family.  He wants to work, he wants to get out of the house and work on his truck or go fishing or crabbing.  He was thrown into solitude and depression with no escape.  He has been struggling through his depression now for the past 3.5 years since his stroke.  His brain injury has left his head "cloudy" and he has difficulty focusing.  He has impulsive reactions so if he thinks it, he most likely will say it, no matter who is listening.  He has lost his periphial vision so he can no longer drive.   He has pushed himself through rehab and thanks to his bull headed nature was able to learn to walk again with a cane or walking stick.  He walks very slowly to keep his balance as he feels like "there is water slushing around in my head".   He wears an AFO brace to keep his toe up as he has toe drop and will trip.  He still does PT twice a week as he is NOT a quitter.   He did OT on and off but unfortunately has not regained the use of his hand back.  We work on it at home and use stem device and other gadgets to aid in function.  Because he has no use of his left hand, he has difficiulty or is unable to do tasks that we all take for granted.  Something as simple as wearing jeans or slacks  is near impossible, as you need two hands to zip your pants.  He says "you need two hands to do anything, one for holding and one for doing".  Since the stroke, he has been unable to fish or hunt or do activities he so loved doing.  We get him out and are trying to modify everything so he can participate but it is very difficult.  He is confined to his home all day every day until one of us come home from work.  

We are willing to try ANYTHING to get some function in his hand back.  If he could only hold something in his left hand.  He could use a knive and a fork.  If he could get his balance back, he could step outside and enjoy the sunshine while no one is home without worrying about falling down.    He longs to think clearly again and not struggle for words when he is speaking.  He sits at his computer every day bored to death.  He has been  looking for something to help him get better.  And finally... he found something that looks so promising!!   
The Institute of Neurological Recovery is using a medication off label that is showing AMAZING results.  I saw videos of stroke survivors 5 years post stroke that regained the use of their hand.  They are injecting etanercept into the base of the neck (perispinal injection) and inverting the patient to allow the medication to go to their brain.  It is off label use and is not approved by the FDA for this type of treatment BUT we are willing to try anything to get his life back.  The treatment started in Australia and now a doctor in Florida does this procedure.  This treatment shows significant improvements in neruo function including walking, fine motor skills in addition to cognitive improvements.  Patients have shown to have improved in walking, picking up objects, balance,  reduced muscle spasm that helps with the toe drop and ankle roll, visual neglence and clearer thinking.  PLEASE check out the links below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLc8N_B2zwI

http://www.strokebreakthrough.com/blog/

We hope and pray it works for him.  There are many variables, but it appears the treatment helps for patients up to 10 years post stroke.  We have paid the $500 telephone conference, which is scheduled for next week and have been told the injection will be between $8000 - $10,000.  I am uncertain if that is for one injection or a series as I read about patients that have had 3 injections and that is the maximum dose.  We will take the first available appointment and use a credit card if necessary.   We are currently liquidating assets to get the injection.  PLEASE consider donating and helping us get our life back.  He is a good man who deserves a good life.  We truely thank you from the bottom of our hearts.