What does recovery look like six years after two strokes?
In our inaugural episode, we talk with Guy and Jane Harvey, whose lives suddenly changed in 2016 when Guy experienced two strokes within a month.
“When he was in rehab, [the therapists] asked him what he wanted [to achieve], but I don't think they ever thought he was gonna get there. They kept saying … ‘you're probably gonna be in a chair for the rest of your life.’”
With hard work and support from Jane, Guy proved them wrong. Today, they share with us what’s changed most about their lives since the strokes, resources for stroke survivors and Jane’s tips for caregivers.
“[Recovery] doesn't just happen within the therapy sessions. It's every waking moment, especially at the beginning. It's like, ‘Oh, you're having trouble with this. How can I figure out a way to help you with that trouble [so] that you are making those accomplishments? I could do everything for you, but then I'm gonna be doing everything for you forever. And that's not who he wanted to be.”
Guy also shares his perspective on their recovery journey, his hope for the future and the strategy he relies on for overcoming plateaus.
“The biggest thing that I find is that when I start to find myself plateauing or I seem like I'm not doing anything, I change it up. I was walking around the block the other day and this lady came out and ran towards me and said, ‘I cannot believe how much you've improved in the last year!’ And I said, ‘I thought I'd stopped.’
The thing is, you will be the last one to see progress.”
In This Episode
How a cut on his hand led to Guy’s strokes (01:34)
Guy and Jane’s resource recommendations for stroke survivors and caregivers (07:45)
How Jane learned on the fly to help Guy with at-home therapy (11:43)
What’s changed the most for Guy and Jane since the strokes (14:42)
Jane’s strategies and lessons for caregivers (17:10)
Adaptive equipment that helped Guy become more independent (20:53)
The Brunnstrom approach to stroke recovery (28:51)
Guy’s strategy for conquering plateaus (34:12)
Our Guests
Guy Harvey is a two-time stroke survivor. His strokes, which occurred – unusually – within a month of each other, were brought on by a cut to his hand that led to a serious heart infection.
Guy is supported in his stroke recovery by his wife, Jane, who also served as his caregiver and at-home therapist.
The Harveys live in Canada where they run JGH Rehabilitation and Consulting Services, a Health Canada-licensed importer and distributor of medical devices for stroke recovery.
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
JGH Rehabilitation and Consulting Services
Guy’s Recovery
Walking 4 months post-stroke
Walking 4 years post-stroke
