For many stroke survivors and their families, the stroke recovery process can feel isolated.
After leaving the hospital, finishing as much outpatient therapy as your insurance (hopefully) allows, and finding an at-home care routine, the road to healing can start to look lonely.
“I could see in his eyes, like he was still with me, you know, even though he couldn't communicate and he had no idea what was going on. I knew I could only live in that moment. I knew I could not go. I could not think further than that. I knew I had to just live in that very moment. I was just here for him and making sure he felt the support and he didn't give up.” – Jennifer (05:52)
Today’s guests, Michael and Jennifer Erwin, have used their experience with stroke to help ease the journey for other families.
Michael’s major hemorrhagic stroke in 2017 inspired them to start the BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to help stroke survivors access continued rehabilitation services.
Today, Michael and Jennifer join us to talk about their journey – including their experience with outpatient care, the questions they recommend asking of potential PTs, their advice for families recovering from stroke, how the BELIEVE Foundation began, and more.
“Nothing is more entitled to an individual than realizing self in self independence. So you need to realize that really, to be excited about life again. They estimate so many stroke survivors are very depressed. I'll never forget the first time after I walked, I went to a sports bar. It was the first time I've been to a sports bar in two years. And I sat there right in front of all the TVs and I was all by myself and I got to do what I enjoy. And that is the best thing for all people to try and gain that back.” – Michael (42:56)
In This Episode
(01:16) The story of Michael and Jennifer’s stroke journey
(05:52) The aftermath of Michael’s stroke, and how life changed
(07:46) Michael’s first three days post-stroke
(09:01) Jennifer’s most heartbreaking moment at Michael’s bedside
(12:00) What the doctors and PTs got right, and where they fell short
(15:15) Michael and Jennifer’s outpatient experience
(18:43) Asking the right questions before starting rehab
(22:50) The skills Michael’s PTs focused on restoring first
(29:30) Jennifer’s advice to families recovering after stroke
(35:12) The BELIEVE Foundation
(42:31) Michael and Jennifer’s message of hope
Our Guests
Michael and Jennifer Erwin are the founders of the BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation. After only two months of outpatient rehab, Michael’s insurance ran out. Determined that no family should go without access to stroke rehabilitation services, Michael and Jennifer started the BELIEVE Foundation in 2019, two years after Michael’s hemorrhagic stroke.
Resources & Links
Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn
Pete Durand on LinkedIn
Saebo
On YouTube
On Instagram
On LinkedIn
Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group
Jennifer Erwin on LinkedIn
BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation
On Facebook
On Instagram
On Twitter
On LinkedIn
BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation Launch Event on YouTube
