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Stroke Survivor of the Month - September/October 2005

David Smith
Mount Vernon, NY

David is a valiant fighter. He has the will and determination to make things happen even though setbacks have tried to rob him of confidence throughout his amazing recovery. His story is truly inspirational and exemplifies what can be achieved with the right mix of tenacity and love.

David says:

"When I think about all that has happened to me over the past year, it's hard to believe what has transpired. I didn't realize it but I was having symptoms days before my August 16, 2004 stroke. I was in Texas with my nine year old grandson visiting my son for a week. While there I experienced nausea, nose bleeds, throwing up and "just not feeling well". I had good reasons for all these experiences.…the food, the plane ride, too much beer, etc. But now that I look back, it started many years before, with me not taking care of myself. I knew I was overweight, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoked, drank, had a stressful job, but I thought I was invincible. I wouldn't see a doctor on a regular basis and when I did, I didn't heed his advice.

On the day I returned from Texas, I experienced a headache (I attributed it to the plane ride). I decided to visit my brother to tell him about my trip. I borrowed my daughter's brand new week old car. Till this day I don't know exactly what happened, but I think I hit a pole, a street light, or a sign. I can't remember how, but some way I returned home with a really banged up car and a bump on my head. As hard-headed as I am, I would not go to the hospital. By now I had a terrible headache and was very upset about the car. I went to bed extremely upset, with a bad headache.

The next day I went to work and just before lunch, boom…..without warning I started staggering and bumping into a wall when a co-worker grabbed me and forced me to the ground. I don't remember much, but I'm told EMS and the fire department were called and I was taken to the hospital. I was diagnosed as suffering from a severe stroke to the right side of the brain. My wife told me the doctors wanted to place me on life support at one point but, thank God, they decided not to. I was unable to stand, unable to move my left side, incontinent, had slurred speech and the left side of my face was contorted. Later I would realize some of the repercussions of the stroke, because I am left-handed. I was in the hospital for a week, then transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for a month, then transferred to a sub-acute facility for 6 weeks. I had to learn to do things using my right hand which was a tremendous challenge.

I came home in a wheelchair, able to walk about 10 feet with assistance and a four prong cane and speaking clearer. I made great progress. I was a person who was able to do for himself, play basketball, drive, go where I wanted when I wanted and I realized all of this was taken away in a split second. It took a long time to accept this, but with a loving family I turned my thinking around and decided this is not the end of the world -- I'm alive, I can beat this, I must think positive!