Believing in Stroke Recovery with Michael and Jennifer Erwin | No Plateau Podcast - Episode 7
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Published 2022-10-17
After leaving the hospital, finishing as much outpatient therapy as your insurance (hopefully) allows, and finding an at-home care routine, the road to healing can start to look lonely.
“I could see in his eyes, like he was still with me, you know, even though he couldn't communicate and he had no idea what was going on. I knew I could only live in that moment. I knew I could not go. I could not think further than that. I knew I had to just live in that very moment. I was just here for him and making sure he felt the support and he didn't give up.” – Jennifer
Today’s guests, Michael and Jennifer Erwin, have used their experience with stroke to help ease the journey for other families.
Michael’s major hemorrhagic stroke in 2017 inspired them to start the BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to help stroke survivors access continued rehabilitation services.
Today, Michael and Jennifer join us to talk about their journey – including their experience with outpatient care, the questions they recommend asking of potential PTs, their advice for families recovering from stroke, how the BELIEVE Foundation began, and more.
“Nothing is more entitled to an individual than realizing self in self independence. So you need to realize that really, to be excited about life again. They estimate so many stroke survivors are very depressed. I'll never forget the first time after I walked, I went to a sports bar. It was the first time I've been to a sports bar in two years. And I sat there right in front of all the TVs and I was all by myself and I got to do what I enjoy. And that is the best thing for all people to try and gain that back.” – Michael
In This Episode
0:00 Introduction
01:16 The story of Michael and Jennifer’s stroke journey
05:52 The aftermath of Michael’s stroke, and how life changed
07:46 Michael’s first three days post-stroke
09:01 Jennifer’s most heartbreaking moment at Michael’s bedside
12:00 What the doctors and PTs got right, and where they fell short
15:15 Michael and Jennifer’s outpatient experience
18:43 Asking the right questions before starting rehab
22:50 The skills Michael’s PTs focused on restoring first
29:30 Jennifer’s advice to families recovering after stroke
35:12 The BELIEVE Foundation
42:31 Michael and Jennifer’s message of hope
Our Guests
Michael and Jennifer Erwin are the founders of the BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation. After only two months of outpatient rehab, Michael’s insurance ran out. Determined that no family should go without access to stroke rehabilitation services, Michael and Jennifer started the BELIEVE Foundation in 2019, two years after Michael’s hemorrhagic stroke.
Resources & Links
Jennifer Erwin on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-erwin-51a9753/
BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation believesrf.org/
On Facebook www.facebook.com/BelieveSRF/
On Instagram www.instagram.com/believe_srf/
On Twitter twitter.com/BelieveSrf
On LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/believe-srf/
BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation Launch Event on YouTube • BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation - ...
Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/henry-hof...
Pete Durand on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/petedurand/
Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group www.facebook.com/groups/42378...
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group www.facebook.com/groups/Saebo...
Download your FREE Saebo Exercise Guide here:
www.saebo.com/stroke-exercises-for-your-body-pdf/
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Saebo, Inc. is a medical device company primarily engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of affordable and novel clinical solutions designed to improve mobility and function in individuals suffering from neurological and orthopedic conditions. With a vast network of Saebo-trained clinicians spanning six continents, Saebo has helped over 500,000 clients around the globe achieve a new level of independence.
All Comments (21)
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Every survivor needs a Jennifer to support their mental and physical challenges. God bless all caregivers and advocates who support recovery
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My family abandoned me in the hospital so ive had to do this all alone and this is after i gave up everything to be the caregiver for my grandmother after her stroke
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Love your podcast. I had a thalamic stroke and my life gas changed.
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A job for stroke survivors. That will BE the best. INDEPENDENCE. SUITABLE JOBS for companies to offer
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Wow, guys, great episode. I fell asleep with my stoke and been almost one year of stoke survival. I agree with this young man! What better way? I can't think of any...Talk to your Creator at all times. Have a relationship with Christ! Our care givers (usually or wives) are God sent. Your wedding vows are to Death do you part. God bless!
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I had a ischemic stroke 3 years ago that paralyzed my left side and i was not given any therapy so 3 years later im stuck in a nursing home at 53yrs old
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OMG your comment about patronizing is absolutely on point. I originally went to a group that had a therapeutic who told me over and over I wasn’t ready for what I thought should be next step, she would tell me you’re not ready , I finally said to her isn’t that what you’re supposed to be doing? Getting me ready?
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I work in an inpatient neuro rehab. Wish patients were able to stay longer before going home but I still see a lot of amazing recoveries.
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Glad to your help Michael and Jennifer Erwin. I am also into suffering of ischemic stroke , from Caloocan, Philippines
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i had hemorrhagic stroke 4yrs ago.. lost all independence. left side still paralyzed, cant walk n no use of left arm, im 56 now and my only wish at this point is death, i am a sad existance no independence=no life, its been so long i want the end of this misery so bad, i did phys therapy thru past 4yrs, only to be an existance in this world, its a suffering that im so done with, i want out of this misery so bad
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Yes can agree with this . Hearing sensitive. Light. Outpatient therapy was too much. Made me worse.
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Insurance unfortunately is not regulated like it should be. You pay premiums for decades then when you need it you pay deductibles and they determine while sitting behind a desk how and when and where permitted to receive or not receive what is needed to successfully recover . And further live a productive life
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RESPECT
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Thanks Need more facilities for stroke rehab for financial help. Thanks for help ing us stroke survivors
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Hi to everyone my name is Robert Collins and at Christmas I had a stroke it took all my left side my arm and leg and my eye so I have been in hospital and started to receiving got my leg and arm back and my eye but still got a long way to go 😊 I am on my feet and it's getting harder and my recovery is going slow and slower but I am trying not to make me feel down I no I will get better soon 😊
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i cant wait to have that sportsbar story two years later still wor king on independance tooo
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This is incredible. I would love to get in touch with you. I'm at OT in South Africa where some people have 2 days in hospital prior to discharge and they have no insurance.
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Came home with no deficits. But developed worse symptoms with therapy. Pt was too much for 75 year old.
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my healthy vet
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amazng story mine was worse?? still in recovery of my left side two years later walking and use my lefty arm and leg i w s lucky t live left brain was realoly bad but speech oklove to tell our story
