Mike Smith Stroke Recovery Fundraiser

Mike Smith needs our help while he is recovering from a devastating STROKE!!!

One Month After Our Wedding Anniversary My Husband (Michal Smith) Had a Stroke, Leaving Him Paralyzed And Completely Dependent On Me.

One month after we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary, on September 6, 2022, Michael suffered a stroke that was the result of a blockage of the blood vessels on the left side of his brain. It happened while he was working and luckily, he was rushed to Los Robles Hospital where the blockage was dissolved through drug intervention versus having invasive surgery. The stroke completely paralyzed his right side and impacted his ability to speak and swallow. After a week in ICU, he was transferred to Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital where he spent a month in their acute rehab facility. He initially showed signs of movement in his right arm, but several hours after admission, he lost all ability to move his right arm and right leg.

Before his stroke, Michael was a successful businessman, State of Ohio Champion and Record Holding Track Star. He earned a scholarship to run Track at Western Michigan University, became a varsity track star and graduated with a degree in Communications. Along the way he became a proud member of Phi Delta Psi Fraternity Inc., earning the line name “Invincible” because of his never give up attitude. As an only child, he was ecstatic to have brothers, family, teammates, and co-workers he could share the ups and downs of life. He married a no-nonsense girl from Detroit, moved to California and started a grand adventure that has lasted more than 4 decades.

Michel is home from the hospital now and has embarked on the long hard road to recovery. His long-term prognosis is cautiously promising. He has to learn to do the most basic things, including walking, talking, and eating. Even something as simple as sitting up in bed is not possible for him without assistance. He has been approved for intense home therapy that includes occupational (feeding, dressing, grooming), physical (to regain use of his arm, hand, leg, and foot), speech (learn to speak coherently), psychological (regain cognitive, memory and emotional stability) and recreational (learn to do things outside of the house). Michael demonstrates daily why he is called Invincible by working hard with a purpose and his therapists are noticing. I am encouraged by his determination and pray it will be enough to fight off depression and give up.

I am in it for the long haul and committed to doing whatever I need to do to get my husband back and fully recovered. I have taken on all the financial responsibilities for running the house, paying the bills, cooking his specialty meals, managing his medication, and overseeing his therapy schedules and doctors’ appointments. Unfortunately, Michael was self-employed when the stroke happened and does not have the benefit of sick pay to help with expenses. After many months, his disability payout is still pending approval and his medical bills are mounting. I am trying to hold it down, but I need help as I am not only his full-time caregiver, but I am still working my full-time job. The cost of Michael’s intensive therapy is more than I can handle by myself. I don’t want to interrupt his treatment and delay or stop his progress because of my inability to pay.

After learning of Michael’s stroke, many friends, family, and fraternity brothers have asked what they can do to help. I ask that you show Michael some love, contribute any way you can to his hospital fund and continue to pray for his total recovery.

Thank you and GOD bless.

Kim “Ty” Brooks-Smith