“My name is Phil Anderson and I am a stroke survivor. “
I suffered an Ischemic stroke in April 2007. I am a runner and fortunately for me, I suffered no permanent physical damage. I was able to walk locally on the Ma and Pa trail in Bel Air Md. just days after the stroke. My problem is that I suffer from Aphasia (difficulty in speaking, especially). I find that even years later, I still have some difficulty in speaking and writing. My wife and my speech therapist have helped me greatly, but sometimes I still feel I have quite a bit of work ahead of me.
Due to the hard work and patience of my family, my speech therapist and the doctors and nurses at Upper Chesapeake Hospital, I decided it was my responsibility (or duty) to give back to all those who have assisted me in my recovery. I decided to do what I do best – run. On the first anniversary of my stroke, I decided to have a run, the Survivor Run. My wife and I measured the course (at the hospital), gathered informative pamphlets on stroke from the hospital, and I prepared a few posters. It rained and rained and rained, and there were only a handful of runners there. In (2010), on my third anniversary, I became involved with the National Stroke Association and received over $2,000 in donations from the run. I had 70 runners there and it was a great success. In (2011) my proceeds from the race went to the Stroke Network of Harford County, Md.
On April 1, 2012 I will have the 5th annual Survivor Run. My goal is to have 500 ruuners there for the race.
You can find more info on Aphasia at:
http://www.aphasia.org/
You can now sign up for the race on-line. Go to the "Register" page above.
I hope that you will join me next April for the race. Remember think FAST; (Face, Arms , Speech, Time) to prevent strokes!