For many stroke survivors and their families, the stroke recovery process can feel isolated.

After leaving the hospital, finishing as much outpatient therapy as your insurance (hopefully) allows, and finding an at-home care routine, the road to healing can start to look lonely.

“I could see in his eyes, like he was still with me, you know, even though he couldn't communicate and he had no idea what was going on. I knew I could only live in that moment. I knew I could not go. I could not think further than that. I knew I had to just live in that very moment. I was just here for him and making sure he felt the support and he didn't give up.” – Jennifer

Today’s guests, Michael and Jennifer Erwin, have used their experience with stroke to help ease the journey for other families.

Michael’s major hemorrhagic stroke in 2017 inspired them to start the BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to help stroke survivors access continued rehabilitation services.

Today, Michael and Jennifer join us to talk about their journey – including their experience with outpatient care, the questions they recommend asking of potential PTs, their advice for families recovering from stroke, how the BELIEVE Foundation began, and more.

“Nothing is more entitled to an individual than realizing self in self independence. So you need to realize that really, to be excited about life again. They estimate so many stroke survivors are very depressed. I'll never forget the first time after I walked, I went to a sports bar. It was the first time I've been to a sports bar in two years. And I sat there right in front of all the TVs and I was all by myself and I got to do what I enjoy. And that is the best thing for all people to try and gain that back.” – Michael

In This Episode
0:00 Introduction
01:16 The story of Michael and Jennifer’s stroke journey
05:52 The aftermath of Michael’s stroke, and how life changed
07:46 Michael’s first three days post-stroke
09:01 Jennifer’s most heartbreaking moment at Michael’s bedside
12:00 What the doctors and PTs got right, and where they fell short
15:15 Michael and Jennifer’s outpatient experience
18:43 Asking the right questions before starting rehab
22:50 The skills Michael’s PTs focused on restoring first
29:30 Jennifer’s advice to families recovering after stroke
35:12 The BELIEVE Foundation
42:31 Michael and Jennifer’s message of hope

Our Guests

Michael and Jennifer Erwin are the founders of the BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation. After only two months of outpatient rehab, Michael’s insurance ran out. Determined that no family should go without access to stroke rehabilitation services, Michael and Jennifer started the BELIEVE Foundation in 2019, two years after Michael’s hemorrhagic stroke.

Resources & Links

Jennifer Erwin on LinkedIn   / jennifer-erwin-51a9753  

BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation https://believesrf.org/
On Facebook   / believesrf  
On Instagram   / believe_srf  
On Twitter   / believesrf  
On LinkedIn   / believe-srf  

BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation Launch Event on YouTube    • BELIEVE Stroke Recovery Foundation - ...  

Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn   / henry-hof.  .
Pete Durand on LinkedIn   / petedurand  

Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group   / 42378.  .
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group   / saebo.  .

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Saebo, Inc. is a medical device company primarily engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of affordable and novel clinical solutions designed to improve mobility and function in individuals suffering from neurological and orthopedic conditions. With a vast network of Saebo-trained clinicians spanning six continents, Saebo has helped over 500,000 clients around the globe achieve a new level of independence.