MEET RANDY
“Fiercely independent!” That is how people at the Stone Creek Restaurant describe Randy. He goes there everyday for breakfast and shares his plans for the next adventure. Last year it was the Grand Canyon. When Randy had his stroke about 14 years ago, he was a research geochemist. Having a stroke in his 40s was not on Randy’s list, but since then he is on a mission to “relearn life,” as he describes it. Preserving independence has been key to Randy’s recovery. He drives using adaptive hand controls. He loves sports and plays golf through the Golf4Fun program, bowls, swims and takes road trips with his “wonderful girlfriend,” Vicki, also an RMSC client.
Randy has participated in programs at RMSC for ten years. He especially enjoys music. “Being here gives me opportunities to work continuously on rehabilitating myself. I’m focused on possibly regaining more functioning of my left arm and leg.” Getting together with his friends in the programs is important, too, since maintaining a social life is critical to recovery. Life can be lonely after a stroke, as many survivors experience.
His advice to everyone about stroke is to be aware of the warning signs.
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