|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
My name is LeAnn, my friends call me LeLe and I am a Stroke survivor. When I met Dawn (Executive, American Heart Association) in 2005, I told her I wanted to volunteer for American Heart Association, unknowing to both of us that within 2 months of us meeting - I would have experienced a Stroke. Of course my route changed a bit, from a volunteer, to something more, I wanted speak to educate - to mentor - and most of all inspire. Educate those that have not had a stroke –on early detection – and to encourage those survivors to shoot for the stars and set goals and never give up on themselves. Spread the word. On November 30th 2005 at age of 40 I had a stroke in my Cerebral Middle Artery and seizure while taking my shower in the morning. (Note to remember, I had 7 weeks previous completed Nike San Francisco Marathon and was 4 days away from our local California International Marathon) It left me with Aphasia, which affected my speech, (I have my own set of le-le ebonics) I have a hard time with short term memory, in addition I am challenged with multitasking. As the saying goes – I get better with time and I believe that! While I stood in front of a group of American Stroke Association participants that were signing up to do their first marathon and looking for a coach (6 months after my stroke) I announced to them that one week prior I finished Ironman Coeur D Alene. I am an Ironman. An Ironman is 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 bike ride, and finishes off a 26.2 marathon run. That summer, I worked with my local American Stroke Association group, I went on to continue my 4th Ironman in Western Australia 2007 during my second anniversary of my stroke. I AM A SURVIVOR, happy and healthy! For more details and to get involved, visit the Train to End Stroke website" http://www.ttes-ca.org/ |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
TriChic Member: 
2 weeks after my stroke my Step Dad had a stroke – we joked who was better off – who spent more time in the hospital—who could read? Who could walk? Who could speak? Who could hold something in their hand? We decided we both were pretty lucky to be where we are and had the family and friends for great support.
I had joked with my dad if he could walk when I did Ironman he would finish and cross the line with me – he 
