Hi everyone

I received this email yesterday from the mother of a young man in the North Eastern US. Garrett Mendez suffered a brain stem stroke after a major head injury in a college hockey game.

I just wanted to share the email with my blog readers as it proves that you just never know when something that you do may actually touch someone in a way that you may have never considered.

Gary,

I came across your blog about Kyle while searching the internet for new information about brain stem strokes. My son Garrett had a massive brain stem stroke three years ago at the age of 19, likely from a head first hit in a college hockey game. We didn't think he would survive. He was locked in, fully paralyzed, unable to see, speak or swallow. After 20 days in ICU he was transferred to Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital in Connecticut. After 2 months he walked out of Gaylord with a walker. His vision had returned, he was eating again, his speech was still not clear, he had no functional use of his right arm.

Now 3 years later, his recovery has been remarkable. He has a part time job, is taking a college course, has been cleared to drive. His speech is clear with the help of a palate lift retainer, he now has functional use of his right arm. The most amazing thing is that he is ice skating again as part of his therapy. We never thought he would walk again, new dreamed he would skate again. Nothing is impossible.

If you google Garrett Mendez stroke or Garrett Mendez hockey, you will come across articles about his recovery. We have researched and tried all of the cutting edge technology out there and I would be happy to pass along to Kyle's parents what we have found.

CBS news NY just did a new piece about Garrett's return to the ice the link is

http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=120188@wcbs.dayport.com

We have always asked why our lives have been taken on this journey, perhaps it's to help others through the same. Please feel free to pass along my e-mail to Kyle's parents. We are some of the very few people who truly understand what it is like.

Eileen Mendez

And yes I have forwarded Eileen's email on to Kyle and his family as well as the good people at our provincial association for Heart and Stroke.

I will be checking the Jay Room for more posts and as Donna reminded me, Kyle has become a member here at Strokenet and now having Internet in his room we may be hearing from him directly soon.

Smiles

Gary