MEET BEN
“I was running on a track in Malaysia when I had my stroke.” Ben speaks matter-of-factly now about the life-changing moments in 2007 when he was 31 years old. Ben says that there has never been a satisfactory explanation for why he had a stroke, but that has not stopped him from moving on. He does not linger long on the many challenges he faces as a result of the stroke as much as he credits the experience for helping him cultivate more empathy for others. In fact, he says that having a stroke is directly related to his current pursuit of a nursing degree.
While he takes the steps needed to achieve an RN, Ben is a paraprofessional at Littleton Public Schools, and has a particular interest in helping at-risk teenagers. Ben looks to Rocky Mountain Stroke Center for community and support as he continues to redefine his life. He notes the Young Enthusiastic Stroke Survivors group, in particular, for its collegiality and ability to encourage even during some of the most difficult days. “Stroke causes much more than just a physical or cognitive disability,” Ben adds. “The emotional toll for survivors is tremendous.”
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