Christopher Happ

I suffered a stroke on October 14, 2001, while in Connecticut on business. Somehow I knew it was a stroke. I got to the hospital in time and spent ten days there before the anticoagulation therapy made it possible for me to return to my home in Phoenix, AZ.

I was very lucky, Over a year later I have few deficits. My speech has returned to normal. I have no feeling in my left hand and the neurologist tells me it may never return. Before the stroke I was an avid guitar player. The physical problems were tough, but by far the most terrible burden was the attitudes of my friends and associates. They were more afraid than me. They shunned me to some extent, I felt like a leper. When people hear the word stroke they have a mental image of a person in a severe vegetative state that cannot control bodily functions or think and make decisions for themselves. My job said they were behind me 100% and were there for anything I needed. They said they hoped for my speedy recovery and return to work. I did return to work on December 13, 2001, with a strong desire to pick up where I left off and further my insurance sales career despite my new limitations. On May 17th of 2001, I was terminated. I was given no reason. I lost all my medical benefits and my $43,000 a year salary. This was very tough. I believe this was due to society's inability to understand stroke.

My cognitive skills are still returning slowly. I did not want to admit that there may be cognitive effects of the stroke. A number of my friends questioned my mental capacity on more than one occasion. This hurt me deeply. There were differences.

I was always a multi-tasker able to do a number of things at once. Now I find myself asking myself throughout the day, "Christopher what are you trying to accomplish right now?" This helps me focus on the task at hand and I have become much more efficient. I am right handed but I am trying to do much more with my left-hand. If the brain is truly split into right and left brain functions, can my favor of one hand over another affect my thought process and brain function/ Am I thinking on the wrong side of the brain?

I have discovered other skills long forgotten, like my penchant for writing and art work, talents left dormant since my youth. Driving in a very busy city like Phoenix is no easy task. Of course I've seen Neurologists and Psychiatrists for my headaches and mild depression right after the stroke. I have been given prescriptions of Zoloft , Nortryptiline, amytriptaline, etc. The side-effects are difficult. I keep asking how playing with my brain chemistry will help my headaches. There are many more questions than answers but I believe that I am gaining ground on a daily basis and ultimately the stroke will open new doors and opportunities for me. I understand how difficult it is to remain positive. I was only forty-four years old.

I almost lost everything, house car, etc due to the high cost of my care and loss of my livelihood. I am playing a little guitar again and choose to focus on my strengths-not my weaknesses.

Christopher Happ-Phoenix, Arizona January 5, 2003

Thanks to Christopher for sending in his profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)

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