When you look at me; Would you think that I have a lifelong condition?
When I announce my condition; 9 out of 10 times the response is “NO” and that I look normal. The shock; I suffered a stroke before I was even born. The reality; technology in 1982; did not offer an understanding of when or why and my condition was seen slim to none. Looking at the research/doctor notes/reports there is no reasonable or logical support on “WHY” my stroke happened. My life after stroke is the reason to start a foundation/blog and support system for others.
Statistics vary according to research compiled through associations/organizations/trials. Research and trials of stroke concentrate heavily on adults of stroke and then on children of stroke. In 1995 (when I was 12); stroke research started to focus on childhood. Statistics for the condition have now been around for 18 years. The American Heart Association reports that 29 out of 100,000 children OR 1 in 3,500 children with a live birth will suffer from a stroke (2013), while the National Stroke Association reports that 6 children out of 100,000 will suffer a stroke (2013). This statistic (s) provides support for one of the foundation’s initiatives to advocate for awareness and understanding of stroke.
The Stroke after-math that affects my life is on my “Right Hemisphere” of the brain affecting the left side of my physical body. As a result, I do have left-sided “hemiparesis”, meaning my motor skills are limited to none, a noticeable leg limp, and spasticity that affects my arm/hand/elbow. One of my favorite statements to make is a reference to the Rush Hour Movie, “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth”. In 2009, I was in the Orange County Go Red for Women Movement celebration and stated in my speech “I sometimes cannot get the words out of mouth”. I got the audience all laughing! This is in relation to my stroke affect of Aphasia and my inability at times to speak what I am thinking. The affects of a stroke are lifelong long-term not temporary. The affects that are above have been at some point, in my life, hard for me to handle. I have learned how to move forward with support and understanding. This is an important initiative to inform others/the community/and create awareness for understanding. I hope that initiative for the foundation will increase awareness of childhood stroke to our community.
When tPA came out; I was 10. I was so excited to see someone found a cure. However, the cure did not pertain to my condition. Still in 2013, the CDC reports that 795,000 individuals suffer from a stroke in the United States per year, and experts still state that 10%-20% (3,000 through 5,000) of the childhood strokes will go undetected. We still have a lot of work in the childhood stroke community. After I got my MBA; I knew I was ready to move forward to support the stroke community with my story, help, advocacy and involvement in life.
I started the foundation and blog because I had experienced a lack of support, resources, and advocacy as a child growing up as a stroke survivor. Today, I still see and have experienced a lack of that support and resourceful information. I want to make the world a better place by using my experience and information to close that lack gap.
When I announce my condition; 9 out of 10 times the response is “NO” and that I look normal. The shock; I suffered a stroke before I was even born. The reality; technology in 1982; did not offer an understanding of when or why and my condition was seen slim to none. Looking at the research/doctor notes/reports there is no reasonable or logical support on “WHY” my stroke happened. My life after stroke is the reason to start a foundation/blog and support system for others.
Statistics vary according to research compiled through associations/organizations/trials. Research and trials of stroke concentrate heavily on adults of stroke and then on children of stroke. In 1995 (when I was 12); stroke research started to focus on childhood. Statistics for the condition have now been around for 18 years. The American Heart Association reports that 29 out of 100,000 children OR 1 in 3,500 children with a live birth will suffer from a stroke (2013), while the National Stroke Association reports that 6 children out of 100,000 will suffer a stroke (2013). This statistic (s) provides support for one of the foundation’s initiatives to advocate for awareness and understanding of stroke.
The Stroke after-math that affects my life is on my “Right Hemisphere” of the brain affecting the left side of my physical body. As a result, I do have left-sided “hemiparesis”, meaning my motor skills are limited to none, a noticeable leg limp, and spasticity that affects my arm/hand/elbow. One of my favorite statements to make is a reference to the Rush Hour Movie, “Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth”. In 2009, I was in the Orange County Go Red for Women Movement celebration and stated in my speech “I sometimes cannot get the words out of mouth”. I got the audience all laughing! This is in relation to my stroke affect of Aphasia and my inability at times to speak what I am thinking. The affects of a stroke are lifelong long-term not temporary. The affects that are above have been at some point, in my life, hard for me to handle. I have learned how to move forward with support and understanding. This is an important initiative to inform others/the community/and create awareness for understanding. I hope that initiative for the foundation will increase awareness of childhood stroke to our community.
When tPA came out; I was 10. I was so excited to see someone found a cure. However, the cure did not pertain to my condition. Still in 2013, the CDC reports that 795,000 individuals suffer from a stroke in the United States per year, and experts still state that 10%-20% (3,000 through 5,000) of the childhood strokes will go undetected. We still have a lot of work in the childhood stroke community. After I got my MBA; I knew I was ready to move forward to support the stroke community with my story, help, advocacy and involvement in life.
I started the foundation and blog because I had experienced a lack of support, resources, and advocacy as a child growing up as a stroke survivor. Today, I still see and have experienced a lack of that support and resourceful information. I want to make the world a better place by using my experience and information to close that lack gap.
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