Inspiration

A newborn lost large parts of his brain. Today, he’s an athletic college grad.
“Daniel has ebbed and flowed like every other normal kid and just because he’s missing a huge chunk of his brain, that hasn’t stopped him. He’s passed every hurdle put in front of him, either knocked it to the side or gone under it or over it, but he’s found a way to keep going.” Published in the Washington Post, January 2022. 

A Daughter’s Diagnosis and a Refusal to Give in to Despair
This father after hearing his daughter’s hemiplegia diagnosis falls under the CP umbrella is choosing to “…invite grace in.” A heartfelt look at embracing the “full range of happy possibilities which may unfold” and learning to “make room for joy”. Published in the Advocate, May 2021.

Stroke Awareness Month, May 2023
During Stroke Awareness Month in May 2023, we posted tips, tricks, and life hacks from pediatric stroke warriors and their parents. We received some amazing, helpful information from our pediatric stroke community! Please see our YouTube channel for more helpful videos. 

Stroke Awareness Month, May 2022
Each day during Stroke Awareness Month in 2022, we posted videos showing how a stroke warrior has adapted to life after stroke. Videos were submitted from across the globe and included perinatal, young childhood, and older childhood stroke warriors. We’re so grateful to everyone who submitted a video and love seeing everyone’s progress, no matter what their abilities may be. Thank you to all warriors who’ve allowed us to share their stories as part of our awareness campaign! Please see our YouTube channel for more videos from the pediatric stroke community!

Stroke Awareness Month, May 2021 
For Stroke Awareness Month in 2021, we posted videos each day that show pediatric stroke heroes accomplishing things that most people take for granted. We received videos from around the world — from the UK to Serbia! These warriors are truly amazing!! Please see our YouTube channel for more videos from the pediatric stroke community!

Cerebral Palsy Strong, #CPStrong
An online community for young adults and teens with cerebral palsy. A space where you can share your CP story and read what others are doing to navigate the every day, just a little differently.

Four Teen Stroke Survivors: Their Inspirational Stories
All four of these girls from Kansas City, MO suffered massive strokes during their high school careers. After long and hard recoveries, all four were able to graduate on time. This is a powerful, inspirational video and a reminder that strokes can happen at ANY age. The full version of this video can be found here.

Stroke Survivor Testimonials Exhibition, compiled by the World Stroke Organization, 2018
Ebook of testimonials from people who have survived stroke, including many children.

When the Neurologist Really Knows How Patients Feel
This neurologist, who is also a pediatric stroke survivor, states, “I can’t undo the damage of a stroke I had as an infant, but I can try to help other patients face similar diagnoses.” Published in the New York Times, 2018

Pediatric stroke: One mother’s quest to raise awareness
CTV AM (Canadian TV) interview with a parent of a perinatal stroke survivor and one of the leading pediatric neurologists, Dr. Gabrielle deVeber.

Sick Before Their Time
When diseases that typically occur in adults affect children, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery can be daunting. Advice from families, patients, and other experts can ease the journey. Published in Neurology Now/Brain & Life online, 2017

Braden’s Everly’s Story from the American Heart Association — Denver 2016 Heart Ball
Braden was a healthy 12 year old boy who loved life and lived for playing football. He was at a friend’s pool party when he started to feel like something was wrong. Braden lost all color in his vision, he struggled to understand anyone who was trying to help him, and he completely lost his balance. He lost his ability to walk and talk and his speech was slurred. Even with those symptoms, his stroke wasn’t diagnosed until one week later. He underwent three brain surgeries and spent the next year slowly regaining his speech and basic gross motor skills. Watch this powerful video and see how suffering a stroke at age 12 has shaped his life and given him the impetus to make a difference for others.

Surviving and Thriving After Pediatric Stroke
The NCD Alliance website features inspirational stories of people living with a non-communicable disease. Michelle Ballasiotes shares her story of how a prenatal stroke has impacted her life. Surviving & Thriving After Paediatric Stroke.

Jackson’s Journey
Coordinating care for a child who has special needs can seem overwhelming and daunting at first. Consulting with medical professionals to build a team is one of the first steps. See how these very inspirational parents are advocating for their son Jackson with a wonderful team of specialists at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. It is a powerful story of hope and optimism.

Emily Simpson: Children and Young People’s Courage Award
Emily Simpson was just 10 years old when she suffered a stroke in July 2012. The Stroke Association presents the Courage Award to someone who is under 18 and demonstrates inspirational courage in overcoming personal, physical, emotional and communication problems after their stroke. We think you will see why this remarkable young girl was the recipient by reading about her here and watching the powerful video that is posted on that page.

Gracie Doran
At age 10, Gracie Doran suffered a stroke. Today she is a dancer, motivational speaker, advocate, teacher, choreographer, and writer. You can read her inspirational from the American Heart Association here. And watch her powerful video here.

Derek Marshall
At 17, Derek Marshall suffered a stroke and needed brain surgery. Staying positive has helped Derek meet his goals — graduating high school and heading to college — and now he’s sharing his words of wisdom with other kids who’ve experienced a stroke. Read his story here from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Stroke Program newsletter. Derek is also the author a book of poems, Somehow.

One Minute on the Ice From Doug and Leah Chaulk
Teenagers may think they’re invincible, but one St. John’s family found out how untrue that is. Canada NTV’s Glen Carter speaks with Doug and Leah Chaulk, whose 15-year-old son, Jordan, was struck down by a stroke while playing hockey. “One Minute on the Ice” Part 1 and Part 2 highlight Jordan’s story.

Real Mom: My Baby Had a Stroke
Writer Lisa Applegate shares a mother’s perspective of raising a son who suffered a perinatal stroke in Parents Magazine. My Baby Had a Stroke.

Ryley Williams: Heart of a Champion
Ryley was a healthy 15 year-old at football practice when he collapsed on the field. Hours later, his mom learned he had suffered multiple ischemic strokes. After many weeks in the hospital and intense therapy Ryley’s brain had to start all over again. Re-learning every basic motor skill. Five years later, Ryley’s mom shares what life has been like since Ryley’s stroke.

Alexis Loves Basketball, video
Alexis is our daughter. She is 11 years old and the most amazing kid ever! She had a stroke when she was born. They told us she may never walk or talk. She has been out to prove everyone wrong ever since. She is the most determined, strong and loving kid. Alexis fell in love with basketball at the age of 2. She got her first hoop that summer has been practicing ever since. She spends all summer in the driveway shooting hoops! Alexis is so amazing and I hope she inspires you as much as she does us!