Help Get Chris’s Arm Movin’ Again!

The below is from Chris after he was asked (convinced into) writing a summary because many people have been asking for updates and how to help more… so thank you so VERY much for your support and love.

Dear friends and family,

I hope this post finds you all in good health and high spirits. Today, I wanted to open up and share a deeply personal chapter of my life that has shaped me into the person I am today. As some of you may know, I suffered a stroke May 13 of last year that turned my world upside down. The stroke left me completely paralyzed on my left side unable to walk. After a month in the hospital and rehab, I was able to regain my ability to walk but my hand made little progress and the use of my left arm remained minimal. In the following months I transferred to Torrance Memorial for my physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions where I made even more progress. My therapists were encouraged that I was able to regain function so quickly. Due to insurance limitations they “graduated” me from therapy. Unfortunately I was not able to gain full function of my left arm and hand.

After my stroke we learned that it was caused by a congenital heart defect that we didn’t know about along with a mysterious virus that damaged my heart. When I was released from the hospital last year my heart was functioning at 18%. I have worked hard over the last year to do everything possible to improve my heart function. I believe that because of all the prayers and support of everyone around me, my heart has responded in an incredible way. The results from my last echocardiogram came back at just around 40%. My doctor was encouraged and let me send back the defibrillator vest that I had to wear at night while I slept in case I had a cardiac event. They feel if I keep doing what I am doing, my heart could make a full recovery. Just six months ago they were urging me to get on a heart transplant list.

Recovery has been a long and arduous journey, both physically and emotionally. But thankfully every day, I wake up with a renewed sense of hope and a burning desire to regain my independence. I am incredibly grateful for the support and love I have received from each and every one of you. Your kind words, encouragement, and prayers have been my guiding light during these dark times.

I was on disability for a year but that ended in June due to my heart improving. I am back to coaching some classes during the week at BPLA and doing personal training when I am able. But I am unable to work as much as I want to due to my limited mobility from the stroke. I also still need to be cautious with my heart and take things slow. I have known that I need to find a rehab facility that can help me regain the full function of my arm so I can return to full-time work. That is what I really want.

Today, I am reaching out to you with a humble request. As part of my stroke recovery, I have been advised to undergo physical training and rehabilitation at a specialized facility called Neuro-IFRAH in Long Beach. The sooner the better. The longer I wait to continue this process, the less likely I will regain function. The rehab sessions will be specifically tailored to regain function of my left arm and this facility is renowned for the work they do. These sessions will not only help me regain the strength and function in my left arm but also provide me with the tools to rebuild my life and embrace a future filled with possibilities.

However, as you may know, medical expenses can be overwhelming, and insurance does not cover or reimburse the services at this facility because they only accept private pay unless you have a specific type of insurance that I do not have and am unable to get. As hard as it is to ask for help again, this is what I need to do. That's why I have decided to create a GoFundMe campaign to raise the necessary funds for these crucial physical training and neuro rehab sessions. The sessions are very expensive and the facility has asked me to commit to at least two sessions each week or else I won’t get the results I need. Each two hour therapy session costs $500. There is no way I could do this on my own. They are asking me to commit to at least 3-6 months of weekly treatments. I understand that times are tough for everyone and I really didn’t want to have to ask. But after so many of you reached out to me and asked me to put something together so they can help get me through this next season of therapy I decided to set this up with the help of family and friends and my BPLA tribe.

I know this rehabilitation program will be a lot of work. One of my first sessions I went to last week was actually pretty painful. A majority of the therapy was stretching and unlocking my arm and shoulder. But after the appointment I could already notice my ability to open my hand on my own had improved. And that was just one session. So I believe this therapy will help me get to a place where I can use my left arm and hand again.

If you find it in your heart to contribute, no matter how big or small, it would mean the world to me. Your support will not only help me access the necessary resources but also serve as a constant reminder that I am not alone in this battle. Your generosity will fuel my determination and inspire me to keep pushing forward, even on the most challenging days. I can’t tell you how hard it is not being able to do the things I used to do and then coach people and ask them to do things that I can no longer do. It is truly humbling. But I will commit to putting in the hard work in this next season.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for being a part of my life and for all the support you have already given me. I could not have made it this far without all of you. Your unwavering love, support, and encouragement have been my rock throughout this journey. I am blessed to have such incredible people by my side, and I am eternally grateful for your presence in my life.

If you are unable to contribute financially, please know that your thoughts, prayers, love and constant encouragement really do make a difference. I really mean that. Your belief in my ability to overcome this obstacle means more to me than words can express.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting my GoFundMe campaign for physical therapy. Together, we can turn this setback into a comeback and prove that love, hope, the Lord and determination can overcome any obstacle.

With love and gratitude,

Christopher Schmeiser