Offline
Scorpio · Looking for: Woman, 24–34
I am twenty five years old and a stroke survivor. I had no risk factors, no warning signs. On November 26, 2005, my life changed in the blink of an eye. I had a pretty typical life. I was having a great time in college, I was playing hockey on a Junior Hockey team. Sports had always been an important part of my life. I learned to skate soon after I learned to walk and had played hockey since I was four.The weekend before Thanksgiving I had a hockey game. As hockey games go, it was a rough one. I had always been a player who would do anything for the team. I saw an opponent take a shot on net and I dove on the ice to block the puck. I didn’t realize how fast I had skated in, how close I was to the boards. I remember slamming head first into the boards. My Mother told me later that she thought I had broken my neck, she said it was the worst hit she had ever seen me take. Within a few minutes I started to move my legs and skated off the ice. The trainer checked me out, found no signs of a concussion and I finished the game. My neck hurt, but compared to what could have happened, I thought I was pretty lucky. A few days later I was home for Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving I was back on the ice. This game was pretty typical, nothing out of the ordinary happened. So, when I came home that night and told my parents that my legs were weak and I had a headache, they weren’t too concerned. Later that night I started to vomit, the right side of my face was a little numb. We all thought flu. No one put together that hit from six days earlier with the flu like symptoms. I went to bed before the symptoms escalated. When my Mother went to check on me the next morning I was unresponsive. I was rushed to the nearest ER and for thirty six hours I was treated for Encephalitis. A radiologist’s report diagnosed stroke, but the neurologist refused to believe him, telling my parents that “’t have strokes”. Later that afternoon, an MRA confirmed stroke. When I hit the boards, I tore an artery in the back of my neck which bled slowly. It took six days before a clot formed. I had suffered a Brain Stem Stroke, the most devastating type of stroke. I was “locked in”, fully cognizant, but unable to move, unable to communicate, on a respirator. For the first two weeks, they did not know if I would live.’t see, I couldn’t speak, couldn’t swallow, I couldn’t open my mouth, my jaw was clenched shut. The clot went up both sides of the brain stem, so I was totally paralyzed. I had no idea what my future held. My vision had returned and I was eating again. My right side was still affected, my speech was not clear. I refused to settle for anything less than a full recovery and being an athlete, I knew I had the will and the discipline to continue to fight. I have spent the last four years focused on my recovery and rehabilitation. My right arm is now functional, my speech is clear again. I am taking college courses, I have a part time job and I’m driving again in a modified car. Most incredibly, I am Ice Skating again. My parents never knew if I would walk again, never dreamed I would skate again. I always knew I would, it was just going to take time. I am so proud that I continue to accomplish my goals.I share my story in the hope that it will touch or help others. I have reclaimed my life and want to help others do the same.I have been through allot past 6 years everyday is a battle. I really know now how the smallest thing like food n water when taking away how horrible it can be. Girls on meetville email me saying must took strength and courage to get through everything n I totally appericate the kinds words.. but then I mention grabbing coffee or a drink and I never hear from them again.Girls say "oh I want meet a nice guy some1 different'"I guarantee you I'm that guy granted I am Lil different but just give me a chance. But seems girls r still into image and all that.. They hear me talk or c I walk a Lil funny n don't bother.. I mean I have spoken in front of crowds 500 people. ButYet hardest thing is for a girl to give me a chance .. I've accomplished everything I set out to. But I haven't found that girl for me..I'm kind, funny, I do like to give back and help the hospitals and the people who have helped me and continue to. Be an inspiration for others through my words and actions. I'm looking for a understand woman who is confident . A relationship with a woman who can appericate wat I've been through n wat I'm able to do and have done. Just a woman who can have potential to be a flirt ,a best friend and I can talk to and let inside my thoughts and tell things that I have never told any1 .Hopefully she's out there.. drinks
