Ron's Story

I grew up in Windsor, Ontario where In my family you either work, go to school or volunteer. At one time I as the church chairperson. I continued in school with BSc in biology. My first job was as a microbiologist in Toronto. I moved to another lab just as Listeria was becoming a concern. I as involved in setting up the CDN method as nutritional regulations took off. I taught this at two universities as a visiting lecturer/ teacher. This lead my hobby in genealogy exploring family trees.

At age 51 as a scientist who had become Sr. Tech. Service at a major accredited international laboratory I had stayed late to finish a work task. I understand accreditation and research and always pressed my limits. I raced home to cut the lawn and trim it and then prepared BBQ dinner. We ate then watched Antique Roadshow while my wife and son went off to bed. Suddenly with no warning signs I fell over from the couch (The noise was loud enough for my son to tell my wife. On checking me knew from the FAST signs that I had a stroke.

An ambulance was called to take me to a stroke hospital. Due to my blood pressure being too high no clot buster was given; No thrombectomy either as the doctor was on vacation with no backup. Though I could hear and understand everything I was surprised to hear no brain waves were found! Then a priest came for last rites. I said to him, not now. For the next few weeks I received speech therapy and PT/OT. I had lost my left side. As an inpatient a group of us survivor started a peer group as there was limited therapy. After release I was sent to outpatient therapy for again limited therapy.

Next was home and community care. The therapist said she had no training for stroke and was only doing this to get into sports therapy. Having received minimum therapy I searched for more help. I found two day stroke groups that had aquatic therapy. After that for walking I just needed a cane. I met members of the local stroke peer group who introduced me to one closer to where I lived. I continued to look for more therapy. Joining the new peer group of which I became chair. I became an Ambassador for the Heart and Stroke FAST campaign. I Joined hospital stroke committees, found a lot of research therapy, and attended several research lectures. I read everything I could find about stroke. I met Dr. Milo Popovic, who was conducting experiments on electrostimulation.

As I had done therapy for subluxation and spasticity I was ready to get movement back. At the end of his talk he asked for questions and I questioned the amount of channels used. His response was who I was and I was trying to use his ideas. I introduced myself. He asked me to stay and later to become his patient. From 6-9 months we tried various configurations and units. Eventually MyndMove was ready and I volunteered to be the sales demonstration stroke person to the CEO, Offhand Company . Next I was awarded an international award for volunteering for studies.

I continue to this day doing that, volunteering for research studies. As my time was limited, affecting my health I had to step down from being chair. I became co-chair on the executive board of Toronto Stroke Recovery. As chair I had become involved with hospital committees including stroke accreditation, community advisory group, hospital stroke steering committee, the provincial governing body for stroke, CorHealth, representing stroke survivors for Ontario and on its executive of the Stroke home and Community Care Committee. I learned everything possible about Stroke Best Practices drafted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation upon which stroke care in Canada is based.

Regarding research I went onto spore or stroke patient oriented research. First was aquatic therapy then cognitive therapy as well as being a partient and family advisor for research with PIPER and CanStroke. As a PAN member I was on a committee for research patient safety and ethics. I continue to help survivors with peer support groups( finding or starting one). Over COVID many survivors met over zoom and a group of us formed stroke Survivors advocacy group Of Canada. See their history page for more. strokesurvivorsadvocacygroup.ca

As I cannot work I volunteer as per my doctor’s advice. I help all stroke survivors, advise on regulations and volunteer for research therapy studies. Sometimes all three are the same. It is a good day then.