Last month Steven and I flew to Seattle, WA to visit two patients suffering locked-in syndrome – resulting from massive strokes. Both patients were young – both were fighting for survival. Mike could communicate only by looking up.

Mike was 30 years old, and had been in awesome physical condition. He was a US Navy Search and Rescue paramedic. He was a well loved fun, caring man (which is why he was a paramedic). Even though a paramedic he did not seem to realize the seriousness of the warning signs he was suffering.

Angela, a 31 year old mother of four under the age of 11 communicates by shaking her head “no” or nodding (slightly) and looking up to indicate "yes".

Of course, as many of you know, the doctors’ diagnosis on both these patients was not hopeful. The statistics in these cases are usually dismal, at best.

As if it wasn’t bad enough that Angela suffered the stroke she was also repeatedly raped by a nursing assistant at the hospital.

I know that many of you understand what it is like to be a prisoner in your own body; but can you imagine being raped while you were in that condition? Then imagine being promised that if you keep quiet about it you would be able to be transferred to a place closer to your family. Worse, she was also threatened to be killed if she reported the crime.

But her best friend, Rachelle became suspicious and Angela had the courage to communicate what happened. Reports have been filed with the proper authorities; and the man has been charged (he tried to flee the country and was picked up by customs at an airport). Right now there is not a law in place to protect vulnerable citizens, and this is something I’ll be looking into with Rachelle.  Angela is now in a safer place and focusing on recovery.

On Labor Day at 4pm I received a call from Marty, a close friend of Mike’s. I knew something was wrong as he choked back the tears. “Mike isn’t doing well, his brain is fried and they are going to be pulling plug in an hour.” I fell silent on the other end of the phone. Mike had aspirated fluids which resulted in a series of mini strokes and further extensive brain damage.

They pulled the plug. What a common way to describe the ending of an uncommon life.

Any of you reading this know how much of a miracle it is to first survive the stroke and then get through the rehab to begin piecing our lives back together.

Those of us who have been through it know what a gift life is. We also know that death, in God’s time, can be a blessing. I am grateful to have been a small part of Mike’s journey and a part of the enormous support system he and Angela have. Even Mike’s two big rambunctious boxer dogs were frequent visitors to his bedside; smothering him with wet sloppy kisses.

Mike will be missed. We never know what life has in store for any of us but I believe it’s our duty to pass on what we have learned to someone else and bring about the awareness that strokes can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone - old or young.

Life is a journey – and for the short time we have on earth it’s reminders like Mike’s story that show us we are all on borrowed time and just how quickly life can be gone. Mike and Angela’s stories had such different outcomes and God Bless them both.

Email Kate at kadamson@strokenetwork.org.
Visit Kate’s website.