Hi Everyone

Thanks for all of your feedback to my last post.

I have a favor to ask.

A young man (18) Named Kyle Jay from our community here on Prince Edward Island suffered a Brainstem stroke in March and has been in hospital in Halifax ever since.

His family is with him, his friends have created a group on Facebook and his community and workmate have been organizing various fund raising events and acts of kindness to help out.

I wrote an email to Kyle and his family asking that I could let the online stroke community know about him so that fellow survivors and caregivers could encourage both Kyle and his family by posting encouraging messages or sending emails of encouragement to Kyle and his family.

My email

Hi

My name is Gary and this message is for Kyle and his family

Garth, Darlene, Kurt and Kyle I first heard about your stroke from a neighbor lady shortly after it happened. I was also contacted by the the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI asking if I knew of any way to give support to you during this very difficult time. Mainly why I was contacted was because I also suffered a stroke on August 10, 2002 while standing at the counter at Tim Horton's in Montague would you believe. Click here to visit my home page and read about my experience.

During a home care visit this morning my Home Care Worker mentioned the article on you (Kyle) in last week's Graphic. I tracked down a copy and made a photocopy of the article. While reading the article I found the Facebook group that Kyle's friends had started and since I am a member of Facebook I joined the group. I was able to view the awesome video that is featured there and read the posts on how Kyle has been making such great progress (thus this email address)....... Way to Go Kyle!!!

I was thinking about you Kyle and your family and friends, about how this whole experience must seem so frightening trying to make sense of what has happened and how to cope with the present and future. I thought of what it was like for me and where I found the answers that I needed to put my life back together again. For me it was an online stroke support group that I found about a year after my stroke. I met many other stroke survivors men and women of all ages who were also looking for answers. I am still a member of the group and continue to check in as often as I can. The fellow that organized the group is a brain stem stroke survivor and there are other members that are also brain stem stroke survivors. I fact one member is Dr Shawn Jennings a brain stem stroke survivor who resides in New Brunswick. Shawn may have already been in contact with you as he had emailed me that he was aware of your stroke and that you were in hospital in Halifax.

I do need to bring this email to a conclusion so as not to tire you out. (I understand the fatigue that comes with having had a stroke)

I just wanted to introduce myself to you and let you know that you are a member of a growing number of stroke survivors both here on Prince Edward Island and around the world. Recovery is possible and we never give up hope. It's a long road with lots and lots of hard work but there is life after stroke don't ever let anyone tell you different. You have many friends in the stroke community and they will be true friends that will stick by you.

I would like to share your story with the online stroke community so that they can contribute to the encouragement that you all need at this time. If that is ok with you, could you please let me know be reply email.

I look forward to your continued progress toward your new future and your new normal. I have a little saying that I like to share with my stroke buddies. "The more that we care, the more we share...."

Wishing you a continued and positive recovery.

Smiles

Gary

Kyles's reply

Hello Gary:

Sorry it took so long but the days go bye very fast now it seems. Kyle is doing ok but an off day today. Bowels are now too loose so they are watching this plus dreary day and we all know that he will have days of being mad at the world as we do. He hasn't been corked today and that is ok that will come in time. We got word that we are going to be going back to PEI on Monday or Tues and this will be good for all of us. He will still have his trach but that is ok it will be good for him to start his rehab. We do appreciate you emailing us and look forward to one day meeting you we hope. I read all his emails to him as he cannot work the computer yet and still has some double vision. He is making great strides in such a short amount of time and much more than we thought so far. The Drs. are amazed at how far he has come and not even in rehab yet. Gary did you have a trach? Kyle is on so much meds right now and I hope in time he will be weened from some but I know that he needs his meds right now. Thank you again for emailing us and when he can get online for sure he will be part of the stroke gang.

Take Care

The Jay Family

So the favor that I am asking is this:

If you are so inclined could you post or email a message of encouragement to Kyle and his family?

Click here for Email address:

Click Here for the Face book group:

Thanks! and remember the more that we share means the more that we care...

Smiles

Gary