My name is Brice Black. I live in Whittier, Ca. I have been married for 25 years and have three kids, ages 22 (son), 20, & 16 (both daughters). On Dec. 28th, 2005 I was getting ready to go coach my 16 year old in a basketball game. I went to get a glass of water from the frig. I was holding it in my right hand (I am naturally left handed) and dropped it. I cleaned it up and tried again, but with my left hand.
I went to the bedroom to talk to my wife but all the words came out garbage. My wife drove me to the ER where they ran tests and told me I had a TIA. I was born with a Bicuspid aortic valve. Eight days later the valve was replaced. Two days later (one day before going home) I had a stroke on the left side- right side affected. I spent the next two months in the hospital.
After a year and a half I have overcome the swallowing issues, but still have "challenges." In my world there are no problems, only challenges. I have challenges with my speech and the use of my right hand. I can walk almost normal and most everything else is functional.
See Brice's webpages at http://briceblack.tripod.com