This is what a stroke survivor looks like.

Almost exactly a year ago, while making dinner on what otherwise would have been an unremarkable day, I reached for the refrigerator door, saw a brief burst of light, felt a chill, and the right side of my body suddenly went numb and weak. A half hour later, an ER doctor told me I was bleeding from my brain.

I’d had a spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 40, with no underlying health issues or risk factors for stroke. I was lucky to survive—about half of those with hemorrhagic strokes don’t. Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. They are the leading cause of disability in the US and one of the top causes of death.

The last year has been full of challenges, sleep, complaints, exhaustion, and more sleep. But there has been progress, too. I’ve gone from barely being able to walk around the block to setting and then breaking a 10k personal record (winning my age group in one race), and placing third in my age group in February’s Hilton Head half marathon. And I’m just warming up.

I am determined to prove what I already know is true: it's possible to recover from a stroke stronger, faster, and better than before. 

One way I’m going to do that is by running this year’s New York City Marathon, raising money for Tedy’s Team.

Tedy’s Team was founded by former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi and his wife Heidi after Tedy suffered a stroke during the prime of his NFL career. He returned to the field that same year and won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. Tedy’s Team was founded to raise awareness of stroke symptoms, break the stigma of who can have a stroke, and support survivors on their own comebacks.

My hope is that this race will be the culmination of my comeback.

I’ve never run a full marathon. I did, however, tell basically anyone in the Neuro-ICU who’d listen that I’d run one as soon as the doctors cleared me. So here goes.

If you’d like to support my run with a donation to Tedy’s Team, I’d be very appreciative. Follow my progress @bradpatrick00 on Instagram.

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The mission of Tedy's Team is to raise awareness for stroke and heart disease while supporting survivors on their journey, giving them a means for a comeback!

Tedy's Team was originally founded in 2005, when Tedy Bruschi, former linebacker for the New England Patriots suffered a stroke shortly after winning his 3rd Super Bowl and just days after returning from his first Pro Bowl. 

We are honored to be part of the Offical Charity Program of the New York City Marathon, allowing us to utilize their platform to elevate the awareness of the warning signs of stroke, which are best remembered by using the acronym BE FAST, which stands for: 

• Balance Difficulties
• Eyesight Changes
• Face Drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulties - and if you notice any of those warning signs, it's...
• TIME TO CALL 9-1-1.

Should you ever have any questions about your donation, please reach out to Elizabeth@TedysTeam.org.

Donations to Tedy's Team are non-refundable and fully tax deductible.