Change and growth are things that happen to all of us. One essential thing my stroke has taught me is that we should expect and value these things. For me, change was quite abrupt and fierce when I had my stroke on November 10, 2005. In the hospital for 2 months, not able to speak for 1 month, and now 9 years later, I am still unable to walk. But my mind is sharp (probably sharper than before), I can talk (albeit quieter), I work a full schedule, and am involved with several fitness and outdoor pursuits – Pilates, adaptive skiing, kayaking, and horseback riding. I am grateful every day to live a rich life.The growth comes with the change, and every day I am wiser and more aware of the world around me.

I have great support from family and friends. I consider myself a gimp – grateful, inspired, motivated, and positiv e. Onward! Embodies my attitude that every day will be a great day and that I will accomplish something new.

Jake Stein graduated from Portland State University with a degree in English and writing. In addition to having his student journalism and short fiction published through the school, he worked as editor-in-chief for PSU’s student magazine, Portland Spectrum. As a child, Jake Stein was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a disease in which the bone marrow ceases to produce blood cells. After three years of transfusions, he finally kicked the disease after receiving a low radiation bone marrow transplant, and made a full recovery. Jake currently works in the Pacific Northwest as a writer, director and composer for film.
Check out his creative work at http://www.jakesteinnow.com/

Emory Babb studies philosophy, political science, and public relations at the University of Oregon. He is the the midst of this senior year and is excited to join the workforce. In his free time Emory build websites, edits writing, and plays League of Legends.

Follow him on Twitter @Emory_Babb

I won't ever wish a stroke on anyone, but if you have one it's great to have an Illinois farm girl of German stock as a wife and two strong, caring sons. Yvonne is a fantastic partner and caregiver who keeps me going every day. Her humor is funny (most of time) and has gotten me through many a rough spot and her strength has kept me off the ground more times than I can count. We both are always pushing each other to try something new (well, of course, she's usually pushing me).

Cory and Emory had just turned 13 when I had my stroke but they stepped up to take on added responsibilities to help around the house, and have always been a source of inspiration for me. The first time they had to help me off the floor Emory calmly said " you take feet, I'll get the head, we'll do a fireman's carry to the living room." They've carried me ever since - "He ain't heavy, he's my dad."

Dennis has been part of our family since we worked for The Nature Conservancy together in Florida in the mid-'90's. He helped Yvonne and the boys when I was in the hospital and has been a tireless aid to Yvonne (and me).. Dennis has traveled with me to fire conferences and we have advenchaired together in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Arizona, and Georgia.

I started adaptive riding at Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Cent er in the spring of 2007 and have been on a horse ever since. The first time I was lowered with a hoist onto my horse I commented that I was channeling local rodeo bareback champion Bobby Mote settling in on his mount in the chute. Of course Chex needed a tug or two leave the ramp, but I did feel empowered. Riding is a time that I can be mobile and move around, get a great leg stretch, and is the one time of the week when I am taller than others.

I'm also really fortunate to have a great team. Instructor Kathryn Smeeth has been with me for 5 years and volunteers Dan van Noppen, Gloria Fowler-Hollis, and Kim McNamer have been a loyal and dedicated team for over two years. And of course, Hannah Mae, my big Percheron, and I learn to understand each other better each week. We have a lot of fun with the "Thursday Night Happy Hour" and it is a really important time for me, both physically and emotionally.

Having a trainer who is 6'4" and strong is a very helpful! I met Dave Zimmerman when I wanted to see what Pilates could do for me. The springs and moving parts of the various pieces of equipment intrigued me from the start, but when Dave asked on my second visit "are you feeling brave today?" I knew I had found my guy.

Six years later we have moved out of the studio and into my home gym and we have become close friends. His size and strength are great assets of course, but what I really appreciate about Dave is his creativity and adaptability. My workouts are a combination of Pilates, Tai chi, and traditional strength and balance training, directed at helping my riding or skiing, with the unspoken, but important, goal of helping me with my "activities of daily living". "Knee chi", where I'm balancing with rings while on a pad on my knees, is one of my favorite exercises.

"Because going downhill fast is a good thing" is the motto of Oregon Adaptive Sports and it's true because adaptive downhill skiing is both fun and incredibly therapeutic for me. I still remember my first trip down the beginner slope with co-founder Kendall Cook when I couldn't open my left hand to grip the outrigger; I was just a passenger in the sit-ski. Since then, with great, patient, and fun instructors, I have become much stronger and skilled, regularly skiing off the summit and on many challenging runs. I get an aerobic workout like nowhere else, while bombing down the hill I have to have total concentration and trust in my instructors and volunteers. There are many great folks who have helped along the way, but big props to director Jeremy Fox and instructors Greg Guise and Brett Crandall. Yvonne, Cory, and Emory have all skied with me and my nephew Eben and I have had some epic days and teamed-up to race in the Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP) race. Organizing adaptive teams to race in PPP makes for my most inspirational day of the year.

The Original Team

Geoff Babb—Founder and Writer