Ginny Ford Bio

BIOGRAPHY: Ginny Ford

My name is Virginia [Ginny] Ford - I am a stroke survivor.

At the age of 30, during May & June of 1989, I suffered 2 strokes caused by a Cerebral Vasculitis Three or four of my arteries were semi-blocked; one was totally blocked. I underwent arterial bypass surgery, followed by two years of chemotherapy.

My stroke was caused by prolonged, previous amphetamine use. I was drug free eight years at the time of the stroke.

Prior to my stroke, I was a statistician at a major corporation, on the way to management and instructing employees on statistics in quality control. Today, I am unable to work. I have no abstract thinking, concentration or memory. To keep myself busy, I help my husband run a small low-pressure home business and play computer games (soothes confusion and helps ward off whammies; typing is cumbersome at times). I also enjoy doing puzzle books, reading novels (I can actually re-read the same novel since my memory is so poor) and light gardening and housekeeping when possible.

My immediate challenges after the strokes included walking. I looked somewhat

hunchbacked, dragging my entire left side. I had no use of my left hand and my

speech was slightly affected. Through both occupational and physical therapy and

at-home exercises, I was able to cope with my new, daily challenges. Fortunately I

was young enough to bounce back much quicker on the physical side.

If you were to look at me today, you probably couldn't tell that I'm a stroke survivor. I am what some doctors term "the walking wounded." The only time you can see visible effects such as a tired face, un-useable hands, and weakness is when I am weary and can't control them. Otherwise through the years I've learned to compensate so these effects are not so noticeable. For instance, I wear clothing with pockets to put my hand in. I very seldom wear clothes with buttons to eliminate the extra effort. I wear my hair in a style I can maintain with one hand, and I also ask for HELP when I need it. For example, I had difficulty typing this document and requested assistance from a family member. I now accept my limitations on certain days.

While the road has been long and filled with many new obstacles, my mantra then -- and now -- is to "Never say never!"

The Stroke Network, Inc.

P.O. Box 492 Abingdon, Maryland 21009