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My name is Herbert Lee. I am 28 years old and it has been a little over a year since my stroke at the end of March 1998.

It happened quite suddenly while Iwas playing basketball in the gym and to this day, no one can explain what may have caused my stroke. But over time, that question has become moot as i try now to put together the poeces of my life now that my left side is paralyzed. However, Iguess things are better than before. i'm able to speak now whereas before my vocal cords were paralyzed. ans I am now able to walk with a single point cane outside and am hbb;ing around indoors without assistance. Unfortunately, my left arm is essentially non-functional. It has not been easy for my family and I since my stroke, but I havr been blessed with many dear friends who have remained unchanged in their friendships. i praise God for that! I do miss sports a lot, and i dream of one day being able to play basketball, volleyball, football, and going biking or rollerblading, or swimming once again. Although the stroke has taken away my athletic abilities, it has not taken away my love of compettitive sports and my love of the outdoors. Iam through with almost a half years worth of formal hospital inpatient and outpatient rehab, but with constant urgings from my parents, icontinue to exercise at home, go for walksor easy hikesnearby, and even taking a dip in the spa/jacuzzi at the fitness center.

Obviously the psychological turmoil this oreal has put my family and i has been tremendous. All the changes in addition to the physical changes havr been overwhelming at times: living at home with mom and dad again, being without a job, feeling extremely vulnerable, dependent, and self concious are things I have had to deal with and i am still learning how to ccope with these changes. i don't know if I'll ever be able to accept these changs, but i continue to hope and pray that one day that i will be whole once again or at least i find happiness and fulfillment in my life againas i am.

i forgot to add that I actually am a physician as well. i was training to be a surgeon in NY when I had my mysterious stroke. I'm hoping now that if i am no longer able to be a surgeon, since i nolonger have the use of my left arm, that i may be able to tenter and train in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation so that i can help find new ways of helping those of us that have endured and survived through traumatic brain injuries. i figure i still have my mind , my good right side and my communication skills.

oh well, enough about me.

Just wanted to say my heart goes out all of you out there who must endure this most traumatic event. i thank you for sharing your lives as it is always encouraging to know that some one out there actually understands what we are going through. i hope my little spiel encourages some one out there that they are not alone.

One day even this present suffering will beno more.
Trust in God. Keep the Faith. There is always hope.
pleasefeel free to drop me a line so we can share:

Take care, God bless you all,

Email Herbert