BIOGRAPHY:

Tonya J. Schettner

Hi my name is Tonya J. Schettner and I'm 26 years old. I had symptoms at work on Nov. 27, 2001. I was a repair coordinator for a telecommunication company. I couldn't walk and everything got blurry. I had all the symptoms of a stroke but thought I was too young. I was then taken by ambulance to a hospital where they sent me home after a few hours as dehydrated.

The next morning my husband found me half on and half off the bed. He helped me, and called an ambulance. I was having a brainstem stroke caused by a hereditary disease called Fibromuscular Dysplasia. At the tender age of 26, I thought God must really have plans for me. I spent the next 3 weeks in ICU and then the rest of the 2 months hospital time in a rehab hospital. It affected my right side. I've gone through a lot of therapy. I am now down to 1 day at the hospital with 3 therapists (OT, PT, and speech), and 2 days at pool therapy with a PT. It affected my right side but I haven't let that take over. I walk now without a cane all the time.

The Stroke Network, Inc.

P.O. Box 492 Abingdon, Maryland 21009