Support Aaron Jacobs' Inspiring Recovery Journey

I want to talk to you about my husband Aaron Jacobs.

He had two strokes fifteen months ago. Afterwards he couldn't walk, talk, or use his right arm. But he never gave up. I watched him, with tears in his eyes, fight to stand up, then to walk, refusing help all the way. I watched him build his arm up from the slightest inclination of a finger to nearly full use. I saw every single victory and 10,000 defeats. For every defeat he never felt defeated. He would never say 'I can't do it'. He would instead say 'I can't do it yet' and grit his teeth and try again. I watched 15 times the fire department come to the house and pick him up off the bathroom floor. We asked him to please let us help him, or use the potty chair they gave him. He refused. Saying 'if i give in to it once it will be easier to give in the next time.' Every day insiting on doing something he couldnt do the day before. He has achieved it every day. Throughout the process he showed more courage and conviction than I have ever seen. He knew from the first day that he was going to 'get 100% back' because 'I am unwilling to loose anything to this stroke.' The doctors said he would never use his right arm again. The therapsist said 'if he tried really really hard and did everything the therapists say he might get to a point where he could walk 200 steps before he had the sit and rest.' The next day he got up, went outside, and walked 250 steps. Now he can walk 5.7 miles without stopping for a rest. He says he is going to get 100 % back. And I believe he is. I wouldnt bet against him thats for sure. I've never seen determination like he has.

Now let me tell you about what else has been going on. He has been out of work for 15 months. He hasnt missed a single mortgage payment. Hasnt missed an electric biil, or utility bill. And always managed to have food for us to eat. In November he had to replace both the dishwasher and the refrigerator. He did. In December the big storm tore off the roof. It flooded the house. He had to replace the roof, redo the entire floor, and repaint the entire first floor. They had to rip up all the carpet and put down flooring. In looks great. Took four months to finish it.

Now it looks like the septic system is backed up. We'll he is going to take care of that too. I don't know how but he says he will and I'm sure he will find a way.

There are two things that he says keep him going. Going back to work at Imperial Cars and going to Disney World. He says he hasn't worked a day in 15 years because he loves what he does. Unfortunately I can't help him with that. If he had his way he would have been back a year ago. But he keeps hoping the next visit to the doctor will give him medical clearance. Soon enough he will get it. I wouldn't bet against him. But I can't help him with that that. But maybe I can help him with the other one. He would never ask for help so I am doing it for him and trying to keep it a secret as long as I can. Fortunately he doesn't really use social media. I hope that you will donate and give this man a win.

I want to take him to Disney World. I want to give him the joy and fun that he has given to me. I want to give him a win. He deserves one. With your help I hope that I can.

Heath Belisle