According to Patriots.com The New England Patriots will honor former linebacker Tedy Bruschi in a special halftime ceremony during  tonight’s game against the New York Jets.

Beyond his impressive numbers on the field and becoming an all time New England fan favorite, his peers and other stroke survivors look at Tedy with inspiration for his accomplishments off the field and for his dedication to the New England area. After Bruschi suffered a stroke in February 2005, he dedicated himself to raising funds and awareness to fight stroke along with the American Stroke Association. Bruschi established “Tedy’s Team,” a vehicle to help battle stroke, the number one cause of disability in the United States. Members of Tedy’s Team have run in the Boston Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race and have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for stroke research.  Bruschi returned to the lineup for the final nine game of the 2005 season following his stroke.

In a recent interview with the Boston Herald, Tedy spoke of his special connection with the fans after coming back from a stroke in 2005.  During the conference call, he talked about what their support meant to him.  Here’s part of that interview:

”I needed that (fan support).  I needed it because there were times during my comeback . . . where I thought I wasn’t doing the right thing,” he said. ”This wasn’t a knee injury or a shoulder injury I was coming back from. Of course everyone is supportive and everyone wants you back there. But fans helped me with stories of how they overcame adversity. I got support from stroke survivors also and how they were able to comeback.

”Their comebacks were very different from mine,” he went on, ”but learning that from them really helped me a lot. The doubts that I had at times, I really needed the support from fans to know they were behind me.”

Fans sent him emails. Letters got to his house with just his name and city on the envelope. No street address.

”That’s the way a lot of (fans) got their letters to me, and I needed that,” he said.

see the full Boston Herald Interview

[Personal Sidebar] One recent comment on my blog shows just how Tedy’s work off the field with Tedy’s Team helps:

I am 58, almost 59 (in Jan) and had my life saved by the ads that Tedy did regarding stroke defense. I had just had an arterial bypass operation in my right leg and was talking to a nurse practitioner regarding pain management. I realized that my left arm had gone numb and I did not seem to be able to speak properly. This was mentioned to the nurse practitioner and she agreed that I was having a stroke. Turned out that I had 4 tia’s and am now on warfarin as a blood thinner and will have the hole in my heart repaired after I recover from the arterial bypass. If not for Tedy’s ads and websites such as yours, I would not have known what was going on and might have not come out of it with minimal damage. Thank you for the work that you folks do. Paul

Posted by David Dansereau for know-stroke.org

-David Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org

It was argued recently on New England Sports Network (NESN.com) which sports figure in New England is the greatest.  With names like Bird, Orr, Williams, Bourque, Russell, Yaz and Brady to name a few, how do you decide?  I guess it matters just which Boston sport is your favorite, but I would argue another “Teddy Ballgame”, which didn’t get mentioned by NESN would be the other, Tedy, not Williams but last name Bruschi, that was not mentioned.

I’m sure it isn’t just my argument, because few sports legends in New England still create such a buzz with their presence as players like Tedy Bruschi and Bobby Orr.  You can see that clearly when you attend a Bruins game at TD BankNorth Garden and you still  witness B’s fans donning the #4 Bobby Orr Bruins jersey, even several decades after he quit lacing up his skates for the Bruins.  The same can be said for Bruschi.  I recently had the privilege of attending a Patriots preseason game this year with my family and while “tailgating” with my wife and two young sons (yup,drinking juice boxes),  we noticed there were just as many #54 Bruschi jerseys in that parking lot as any other active Patriots player.  Equal numbers of these Bruschi jerseys were being donned by respecting fans in the stadium as well as by the Kraft family’s tribute with life-size photos of #54 in the halls of Gillette Stadium.

It is this same legendary impact, or “Bruschi Factor”, that could give such an enormously needed boost to stroke awareness. Take for example the impact of Bruschi’s recent trip back to Gillette Stadium on November 3^rd to speak to students from Holbrook Junior-Senior High School, and the influence the “Bruschi Factor” had on the entire school.  Tedy took the time to address 260 bright young minds about his story and his book “Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery & My Return to the NFL” and discussed lessons learned with these students.  What impressed me the most about this story was what the students did on their own to help spread stroke awareness.   The story as reported on Patriots.com mentioned that the students were so impacted by Tedy’s book that “it extended well beyond English class, as the school tried to incorporate it (stroke awareness) into all aspects of the school, discussing the science of strokes, doing football-related math problems, and even working it into the school’s student council program.”   The Patriots.com story concluded with students “even surprised Bruschi with the donation of $1,054 – in honor of his 54 jersey number – at the event”.

So, whatever motivated these students by Bruschi’s message is the same “Factor” I’ve been trying to get the American Stroke Association (ASA) to fully “Tap” for stroke awareness.  Since recovering from my own stroke, I’ve been involved with Tedy’s Team raising awareness and funds for stroke research and education.   Last year I submitted a greater Boston Community Impact grant proposal through the American Stroke Association targeted at gaining better stroke awareness for the young faces of stroke.  My “Bright Minds” proposal is aimed specifically to Boost KIDS IDEAS ABOUT STROKE -(Identifying and Delivering Education About Stroke) Tagline:“Using great ideas from Young minds to get Grown-ups thinking BIG about Stroke.”

Unfortunately, I recently learned my proposal was not funded by the AHA/ASA.  I am “boosted” by this recent story on Patriots.com because it demonstrates exactly my intended “Bright Minds” concept and the potential  impact my proposal could have on kids and stroke.  So, I’ll keep trying.

I know this requires Tedy’s time and talent, but the outcome could indeed provide for a Legendary Impact on Kids Stroke Awareness throughout the Nation.  Perhaps, “Bruschi on Tap” someday might not only mean lessons learned from being a great player and now great analyst breaking down the game, but also for his ability to tap “Bright Minds” to be in touch with knowing stroke warning signs and “Never Giving Up” .

David Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org
Read more on the sources cited for this post at:

Students Treated to Special Meeting with Tedy Bruschi

Boston has seen its fair share of great sports figures, but which one is the greatest?

To read my comprehensive Bright Minds Stroke Awareness Proposal or to consider helping with alternate funding sources please contact me through my corporate link and I’ll gladly send you my proposal details.  Thank you.

see also PFO Research Foundation at pforesearch.org

Follow this link to the PFO Research Foundation to view the survey results

I hope that you might take the time to help out and support the family of 14-year old Tyler Perry, another recent young local stroke survivor in our community.   While the family still does not know what caused Ty’s stroke (see his mother Leigh’s prior post included below here) they are, like the families of other stroke survivors, faced with many unexpected bills and treatment expenses that are not covered by insurance.

For this reason, a fundraiser is being planned for Thursday, September 23^rdfrom 5-7 pm at the fraternal order of Police Lodge in Cumberland, RI.  I’ve attached the brochure that provides more information about this event  to learn  how to purchase tickets or make a donation.  The event is being coordinated by Jean Lermer at Dave’s Market ( Bakery) in Cumberland, RI.

I ask that you please do what you can to help Tyler and his family during this difficult time.  Even if you can not attend the local event but frequent Dave’s Market, pls. stop by the Customer Service desk at Dave’s to donate.

Thank you!

David Dansereau

http://www.know-stroke.org

TylerPerryFundraiser

From Leigh Perry 11:16 am on August  2010

My son Tyler suffered a stroke at the right MCA territory. Unlike your strokeTyler was checked for a PFO and his heart showed no abnormalities. This being very good news, he was examined for anything and everything else under the sun. At 14 years old, Ty ‘s situation baffled the doctors and I guess you could say “annoyed” them too. It was a very frustrating time for Ty and the doctors because they were concerned with finding the source so that there would be no “repeat offender”. We spent two weeks at Hasbro (WONDERFUL) hospital where numerous tests were done and then we were finally released to Spaulding Rehab in Boston with the medical exams to continue under the Mass Genneral Stroke team. Again I can’t say enough about the care we received! Unfortunately for all, the source of this unfortunate incident was never fully discovered and now we are both back at home working hard in three different therapies (why they are not fully covered for situations like this is beyond me!) but he has done remarkably well with his own determination, lots of care and advice and support from everyone. We have learned alot and still need to learn more so any advice or ideas from others is absolutely welcome!

Thanks for the book David! Sincerely Leigh Perry-Ty’s proud mom

You are not running, why should I donate?

If you have considered that it would still be the right thing to do but then clicked away, I’m here on video to remind you of why your donation to the American Stroke Association is important.  If you have donated to my fundraising and stroke awareness efforts in past, I sincerely thank you again.  I look forward to your continued support.  I appreciate every penny that comes in, especially in a difficult economy. You can help make a difference.  Every donation counts.  I hope you have been helped by my blog at know-stroke.org, and now is the time for you to step up.  It has been my intent from the start that through putting my story out there I might further educate others about their own condition.  In doing so I have been blessed to get to know many of you personally over the phone and many have expressed thanks and stated they will become more informed  in their local community to spread awareness.   That is terrific!  If you play my video you’ll see why (more than ever this year) I’ll need your help.  That’s right, if you’ve already played the video, you know a knee injury has forced me out of the Boston Marathon this year.  Even so, I can  run the marathon in spirit with my sister and continue to move forward with my national stroke awareness campaign.

Please play the video and read my attached campaign summary and stroke awareness update I have prepared here>  knowstrokedotorgprogressreport . I’ve also included a print version of my fundraising request form if you would prefer to mail in a donation here> 2010BostonMarathonPrintDonationForm.

You can also donate right now through our secure online donation link.  Donations to the American Stroke association are tax deductible.  You’ll see when you click the link, my wife and I have started off the donations  by showing our support for my sister Lori through a $150 dollar donation (or $50 each) to honor each of our three children.

Please help me continue to reach my stroke awareness goals and help my sister cross the finish line in Boston 2010

Click Here> DONATE NOW!

Corporate Donors can Cross the Boston Marathon finish line too!

In my next post later in the week I’ll update you on how  top corporate or individual donors can get their logo or brand visible and cross the finish line with my sister.  So, stay tuned and THANK YOU!

Best Regards,

David Dansereau

Know-Stroke.org

Please help me cross the finish line in Boston 2010

That’s me crossing the finish line in Boston 2009

Why put my body through another marathon?  Trust me, I’ve already gone through my list of excuses again why NOT to run.  But, even though I crossed the finish line last year and completed every step of those famous, grueling 26.2 miles in Boston, I have not reached my goal of national stroke awareness for improved screening,detection and treatment plans for PFO/Stroke/ and uncovering the possible migraine connection.  In the next few posts I’ll be updating you on the progress made towards my national stroke awareness goals in case you are reading my blog for the first time or want to get caught up or get involved to help-so stay tuned (but don’t wait to donate).

Please help me reach my stroke awareness goals and cross the finish line in Boston 2010

PLEASE DONATE NOW!

Thank you!

Tedys Team 2009 Boston

Every person in this photo had a long list of valid excuses not to run…

Above is a photo of our 2009 Tedy’s Team just prior to going to the start line for the Boston Marathon.
Tedy Bruschi mentioned a statistic when he spoke to our team that stuck in my brain- it went something like this…

“Less than 1% of all people in this world can say they completed a marathon”.

Bottom Line:

Millions of ordinary people choose millions of reasons why they don’t reach their goals. Here’s just a few of the obstacles (or better yet excuses) that went through my head when I was deciding last Fall to begin training for the 2009 Boston Marathon.

My long list of excuses included:

“I’m too busy”

“I can’t commit to that-it is too long.”

“I used to be really sick / my heart can’t handle it.”

“I’ll do it next year.”

“What if I come in last?”

“I’m a hockey player-we can’t run well.”

“My morning routine is pretty set.”

“I’ll be in pain for months after the marathon.”

“It could rain.”

“One year I remember it was really hot…”

“BLISTERS”.

“I don’t like that goo stuff.”

“Docs can’t tell me if anyone has run a marathon with the device I have in my heart.”

“I have to work the next day.”

“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”

“Yikes-Heartbreak Hill!”

“Who wants to train that much anyway.”

“I’ll get too skinny.”

I’ll have to run for 3+ hours on my day off to get in a “long run.”

“What if my back goes out again?”

“Compression shorts, vaseline, body glide, under armour, what?”

“ I have kids now, those days of pushing myself are behind me.”

“My wife might think I’m nuts or am having another stroke.”

“(If I could get her to agree with my goal), my wife might not sleep for 6 months while I am in training.”

“It will take time away from my family.”

“I’d rather stay indoors, do my usual routine and exercise where it is warm.”

“I’ll have to raise funds for Tedy’s Team in a difficult economy.”

“What if I can’t finish?”

What if…..

You did it anyway.

My point is, no more excuses please…. instead

Choose not to be ordinary.

I Guess I liked those 1% odds.
Now on to my next goal.

No more excuses.
Here’s help for you to help set your own goals

Here’s a starting walk to run workout planner to help you get moving.

Need a success journal to track your progress?-get it here

Still have excuses. Need help? Leave your comments:

Don’t believe me? here’s the link to the previous NY Times article  blog post

Why I am grateful, it is not enough:

Barry Meier’s NY Times article focused on the business end of the PFO/Stroke/FDA debate, but he did not cover the other side, the human side.  Upon Mr. Meier’s request I had provided details of my own stroke journey which lead up to PFO closure, as well as other stroke survivors who gave me permission to share their contact info with Mr. Meier because they wanted to let others know about their experiences, again the human side.  If you are one of these survivors, or want to imagine having to consider making a decision to close a PFO-please take the poll at the bottom of this post.  I’d like to show more of the human side of perhaps why as Mr. Meier pointed out in his article “it has been difficult to find enough untreated patients to mount a study to prove their effectiveness and safety.”  After speaking with many, many stroke survivors that have a confirmed PFO it is my consensus that they don’t want to wait around for another stroke to see if they can “opt in” for PFO closure.  They want the hole fixed ASAP!

Here’s where you can help and where Mr. Meier’s article already may have provided a timely boost:

I continue to need your help to complete this journey. For example, I’ve sent articles to Dr. Oz (a cardiologist often seen on Oprah), contacted Oprah.com many,many times, and made my intentions known to Tedy’s Team, Tedy Bruschi and his wife, and the American Stroke Association (Boston and RI affiliates)- I still need your help. Sidebar:[ By the way, several good things followed from the NY Times Story:  Other writers contacted me (topic for future post)and are considering stories, as well as the countless health bloggers that picked up the story worldwide and posted it internationally.

Just one example....

Here's how one reader already helped without knowing it:

A reader from the "early days" of my blog who shared his story and frustrations with the medical delays and uncertainty he had experienced recently contacted me again. He originally read my story and my Oprah Challenge.  He shared his frustrations with knowing he had a PFO and having to elect for medical management of his PFO or perhaps enroll in a clinical trial  and either receive a septal occluder for PFO closure or receive a possible "sham" procedure as part of the study.  (By the way, If you would have interviewed him Mr. Meier you would have known why the enrollment numbers in clinical trials are low...)  Anyway, this reader recognized my name in the NY Times article, and instantly "morphed" me on to the Oprah show.

Please take a moment to post your own comments or ideas at this link.

While this page has a "fun" tone I hope you know I am serious with my stroke awareness plan and hope you can help me follow through with my plan.  After all, the Oprah log worked for Dave Letterman.

With enough brains and motivation I believe anything is possible... Thank You Barry for giving this story your attention.  By the way, do you know Oprah?

Summary of My Reaffirmed Goals:

My Goal: I have been working at trying to get through to Oprah and Dr. Oz to suggest a show about migraines,stroke and the heart connection and ideally developing a show for May 2008 or 2009 (May is Nat'l Stroke Awareness Month). Additionally, I have been working to try to get Tedy's Team, and Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots to speak nationally (to Oprah) about his stroke and his new book Never Give Up.

Click here for my Tedy's Team Donation Page to learn more
Read my Stroke Story

I appreciate any and all comments, leads, ideas you would be willing to provide here:

http://www.my-nutrition-coach.com/do-you-know-oprah.html

Take this PFO Closure Poll

When you are done with the poll, share your suggestions directly with Oprah.com and be sure to link back to this blog post to include all the details and my “WHY”

Could you take a moment to write in to Oprah.com for me? Here’s the link

Want more info?  Watch my video here:

Go to Tedy Bruschi/Tedy’s Team Marathon selection

• Thanks to Jamie’s coaches for inviting me to drop the first puck to open the tournament
• Thanks to the American Stroke Association in RI for donating the great gift baskets and educational items