Meet Debbie
Debbie is a member of the American Stroke Foundation (ASF) at the Lee’s Summit location. Debbie is one of the newest participants at this location where she has made many connections and enjoys the therapeutic activities that are offered. She uses the exercise bike while at the facility to help her stay active. She also loves to compete in the various therapeutic games and activities throughout the day. Her favorite activity is when she gets to get in the pool for aquatics where she can practice balancing and using her affected extremity while in the water.
Outside of ASF, Debbie stays busy with her honey business. Both Debbie and her husband own bees and make their own local honey. They sell the honey at farmers markets in forms of creamed honey, soap, lotion, lip balm, and candles. Their honey is so good that it is award winning at the Missouri State Fair. When they aren’t busy making and selling honey, they also like to ride their motorcycle together. Debbie is an avid fan of Harley Davidson and has many apparel items to showcase her love for it. She plans to get back into motorcycling in the future. Her husband keeps her optimistic throughout her recovery journey. She states her husband is her biggest support system because he is always helping her and finds new ways to support her. Debbie and her husband are quite the dynamic duo and are striving for the best.
After having a stroke, Debbie believes her life is “totally different but it will be better.” The hardest part after her stroke has been her fine motor abilities in her right arm. Although she has faced adversity through her journey, she is thankful for ASF and the opportunities it has brought to her. She states that ASF has given her a “whole different view” and is supportive to her. She enjoys how her husband can problem solve with the staff to help with her recovery process. Overall, Debbie has learned a lot from life and the cards she has been given. She believes, “It’s not what you think it’s going to be, it’s a whole different thing. I am trying to do better and be the best version I can be.”
