City: Missoula

Brain Injury: Stroke in 2006

Explanation of Mask:  On May 5, 2006, while working at an Elementary School as a janitor, I suffered a major stroke.  When I awoke and learned what had happened to me, I was very confused and unable to understand exactly how this traumatic experience would affect the rest of my life.  I had thousands of questions floating around in my confusion clouded head.  How would I support my family?  How would I be able to survive?  How would I be able to get around?  Would I ever be able to walk and talk again?  Just to name a few.  I wanted to learn all I could about stroke and what it did to my brain and body.  The hospital I was in had no support group at the time.   I urged them to start one, and faithfully attended for the past 8 years.  I know I will never be the same person I was before May 5, 2006, but I can still function because of what I have learned during the past 11 years.  I feel gifted, as I am still here.  Now all I have to do is figure out how to give others the help and hope that I have found.  My mask shows my confusion and understanding of the many questions that have bothered my thinking.