You are 100% correct. I am now 11 years out from my ischemic then TPA induced hemorrhagic stroke a week later at 41. I was given my last right in ICU. I spent a month in diapers on morphine just to sleep. My entire left side was completely paralyzed. After a month in the hospital I I was discharged to out patient therapy. I spent 2-1/2 years there going 5 days a week. While it was beneficial in some ways they kind of ran out of things they could do with me. I still remember my OT telling me I’d probably never use my left arm or hand for anything ever. To make issues worse my now ex-wife decided she couldn’t handle the stress so she moved to her parents taking my. 3 year old son with her. She proceeded to file for divorce and of course the judge granted her rights to keep our son with her. Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know don’t believe the therapist’s because they’re just regurgitating things they learned from textbooks. Just remember everything is possible though our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Through his blessings I’ve been able to get well enough to rebuild a motocross bike for my son from the ground up. It literally took 7 years for me to raise my left hand over my head. I now steer my car exclusively left handed as well. I have been super blessed in the way I’ve regained everything I lost except my former college level athleticism or being able to run. Just yesterday me and my son threw the football together. He ran routes and I tried to drop dimes for him . He wants to play high school football next season and for now I’m coaching him. Don’t believe the hype of 6 months or a year. I’m even training at the gym with him three times a week for football. I was super physical before my head injury and keep making progress through the grace of God to get back as much normalcy as possible. Keep soldiering forward💪 hope my true story motivates and helps anyone else facing similar circumstances. Good luck on your recovery to all🍀

Yes- I was told in the HOSPITAL at 39 that I would never walk again or live outside of a skilled nursing facility. I am going on my 11th Strokeversary in December and I walk, talk & live independently as a 50 year old adult should.

Yeah they say 6 months is the best time to recover but I made alot of progress after 2 years , still going strong 💪

I’m an ex Stroke Victim.. Was told the same thing…my Wife Also left Me…nobody wants a gimp. Well 6 months later after after thousands of hours at A gym….! They can all kiss my butt..! I’m moving on.. thanks to my brother who was right by my side I love him dearly…!

Dear Elyse, I'm eight months post stroke. Many threatened me after 6 months your life will be the same for ever and I was afraid and tensed. Your video is encouraging me . But I feel slow recovery even now.. man can not judge the end. God blesses all our efforts. And there are so many who recovered fully even after two'years. Dear stroke friends try try every day one day we will be okay

I am over 2 years post and I still make progress all the time. Keep at it!

Nailed it I’m still seeing recovery after 13 years, thank you for posting this video 💕

I’m 17 years post stroke and still making a lot of gains thank you so much for the information you’re putting out there! You nailed it!❤️

I had a very severe stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke. July 2019. I was not expected to survive. As such has been an uphill battle to get therapy and ongoing therapy. I am all here mentally. Physically the stroke took out my right side. I have never seen quick recoveries. Just recently I got a return of partial sensation & control over my entire leg. But the doctors seem almost angry that I haven't...well died. But I keep working on myself. I refuse to give up. Thank you for these videos.

I'm 15 months post stroke and finally able to walk without falling over and finally left the house on my own. It hasn't been easy but I'm getting "there". I have a goal and I will achieve it.

I just knock your door one watching.. ischimic stroke survivor 3 year's..now i can walk on 3rd gear still fighting..from Philippines.. thank you :)

Can I just say how much I appreciate this video. Nothing ruffles my feathers more than to hear medical professionals try to tell my husband of these time limitations when it comes to his recovery. I am not afraid to let them have it either, with respect of course. My husband is 3 years post next month. He didn't really have much physical progress until he was over the trauma @ about 5 months. It was a very severe ischemic stroke involving a craniotomy ect. Now in this second year he has made more progress on speech and finding his words and sentences (severe aphasia). We are still hopeful, even at the age of 71 that we will continue to see some physical improvements. He walks with a cane but I stand by assist in case of a fall. Thank you so much for being willing to offer people realistic hope instead of being afraid like the rest of giving false hope!!! ♥️♥️♥️

My stroke was 11 months ago, and yes people even doctors told me that my recovery would stop after a year. At the same time I had other people like my in patient OT my at home PT tell me so long as I keep going the progress will keep happening. Since I had both of these in my mind I latched onto the one that said recovery never ends. I needed that for my own mental well-being. So the people that told me it would stop I just ignored them, because they didn’t have their facts straight. As always I love your videos I am so thankful and blessed that I have found you

Thank you for this video. I’m 13 years post stroke and almost gave up on the idea that no further progress is possible and just believe my doctor. You have given me renewed hope and I’m so happy. Thank you, thank you ❤️

I am 1 year out, and improving daily. never give up. Your words offer great support.

Your words are so wise and true. I am 2 yrs post stroke recovery and I am feeling much stronger now than last year. Every week I set new challenges for myself, if I can do them that's great-if not, I just try them another time. Being kind to your own self is vital. I wanted to heal rapidly but my body and brain had their own ideas which I have learnt to respect. I am happy to be alive, doing what I can at my own pace.

Thank you Elyse for posting this video. I had a Hemorrhagic Stroke in 2019 and I am still seeing improvements gradually in my recovery with my daily exercise. Your explanation is so wonderful! Thank you for your clarification! I am more confident now. 🙏

Thank you.This makes so much more sense. I did countless laps around the nurse's station after my stroke. Trying not to walk into people and things due to left neglect. I was blessed to have my wife and daughter beside me... I walked them into things a few times unintentionally. Four years out and I'm still surprising people with my ongoing recovery. I like to challenge myself a bit each day.I'm still not were I was pre stroke, but I've come a long way.More energy, less emotional liability. I can easily ride a bike 47km that's 29 miles for those who think in imperial units.Bodies adapt,brains included I refuse to be sedentary.

Thank you for this. I am just shy of three months out from my ischemic stroke at 57. I have seen some recovery, but not as fast as I would like. (I have some movement in my arm, I graduated from a walker to a cane last week, and I went back to the gym yesterday, which is hugely important to me.) But I am confident that I will recover 100%.

Alleluia to god heals all stroke victims

I am into my 18 minths post stroke. I stop my therapy sessions with my therapist and do my therapy on my own. Doing all that the therapist did and i watched and copied a lot on online videos just like yours. I can stand in my on, walk and going up and down the stairs. I do stationary biking. Still i walk slow and woobly and cannot use my left hand. I still continue my exercise on my own concentrating mostly on my shoulders and hand. Thank you for this i needed this.

5 years. 6 strokes. HMO ended my therapy a year ago. I now go to the gym and use what I can from my wheelchair, I just keep trying, and hoping. I still make progress very slowly. Just try, try, try.

Im so happy I found this video. I had a stroke while in the hospital for issues with my blood pressure back in 2020 during the height of the covid 19 pandemic and during lock down in NYC. Columbia Presbyterian diagnosed me immediately and I received treatment. I had some paralysis in my arm and leg as well as issues with speech and memory but by the next day it seemed like everything had come back online. I was fast track out of the hospital very quickly and even asked if i could stay but they said i had to go home due to the influx of covid 19 patients. I completely understood and went home not really knowing what i was supposed to do. I still has some weakness in my leg a week later but was able to manage. I had not heard from the doctor so I contacted the neurologists office who treated me. He sent me a heart monitor to wear for a month and we had a few video visits but nothing was being done for my leg. The leg seemed to get better then would get weak again. I exercised daily and used resistance bands. The doctor told me that after 6 months what ever paralysis i had was most likely permanent. Unfortunately things just kept going down hill for me and i had issues walking and would fall all the time as well as having issues with memory and confusion. Im now in a wheelchair and ive given up on rehabilitation. I think its time to try again.

Lee here from Vern and Lee...being stroke survivor of 20yrs i was told what youndont get back by 1 yr post stroke will never come back...not true for me there have been tiny things I can do now that I thought were lost ....your video is inspiring to me and educational. I often speak to rehab groups of stroke surviors where the 1 yr define is often preached while I preach NEVER GIVE UP . Thanks for your videos

Thank you for posting this great video Elyse. When I went in for my sign off meeting with my neurophysiologist, the normal one wasn't there and the new person realised that I had been given the wrong exercises to do and he prescribed a 3 week intensive course of hand strengthening treatment. It was 9 years after I had my stroke. So I am proof. Stay Strong Samantha Master Stroke Coaching 💜

I'm 81/2 months post stroke and I too was told that I would never walk again. I still struggle with things including my speech but I'm here. Walking, driving and trying to talk. Just married in May 2022 and my stroke was Nov 2022. Not expected to be alive but I'm here trying to be as independent as possible.

You are so positive!! That really helps patients....

I'm almost 6 months out from right brain microbleed and worried about continued improvement. Your presentation gives me hope for further improvement. Thanks

You are such a beautiful person, you must have helped so many people. I’m in my first year recovery of a stroke and I love listening to your advice and knowledge…you give a lot of positive energy!!!God bless you!!!❤❤❤❤

Dear Elyse Thank you very much for this video. I am now 30 months post stroke and I am able to do things that I could not do 3 months ago. I can stand up from the floor without holding onto something like before. Advice from the healthcare community is so confusing and downhearting unfortunately

Thank you!! I just hit my 1 year anniv of my stroke and am so glad I found your channel. I have been told progress happens up to the one year mark. That is discouraging to say the least. Thanks again!

Thank you soooo much, stroke survivors Need this. It's said the medical profession would rather give false condemning information about stroke recovery than real hopeful information. You are right. Thank you!

I was definitely told this by my doctor; however, I am 6.5 years in and still making progress!

Thank you very much for this great video. My mom is 91 and had a massive stroke 4 months ago and we are walking through much of this now. Thank you for sharing.

I wish you were my mom's therapist! My 86 year old mom had a stroke a year ago as a result of stopping her blood pressure medication. It's left her paralyzed on her L side. She is currently in a rehab/ltc facility. Her biggest complaint is that she did not receive enough ("aggressive"?) physical therapy from the start. Initially, after a few weeks of therapy, she was told she'd "plateaued" and that therapy would have to cease to allow the brain a chance to catch up with the body. A few weeks later, therapy resumed. Unfortunately, I think her age has played a part in the dismissive/discouraging attitudes we've encountered not only from therapists but the docs as well. Consequently, even I've not been as encouraging. Thank you ever so much for dispelling the myth!

Thank you so much it’s been a year and I do not see much improvement but listening to you and the word’s of incursment made me change my negative thoughts thank you so much

Thank you so much for your positive video. I'm a caretaker of a stroke provider. She is making incredible progress with physical therapy in the sub acute stage.

Yes, I was told that I was not be able to use my hand or walk after a year. I'm in my 8 months of rehab right now and I'm able to walk with a cane and use my right hand to about 90% and I am able to drive myself to work everyday. This video is helping me to keep hope alive in my stroke recovery. Thank you so much for the videos

Thank you very much for your videos. I am a 65 years old pastor from the Philippines; and suffered a stroke last October 2022.

I was told that by my first neurologist, who I immediately quit seeing because he was very negative in general. I was recently at therapy and met a girl who was very upset because her DR also told her that she was as good as she was going to get, so I encouraged her to not listen to anyone who says that! That she will continue to recover as long as she put the work in and remained positive about her recovery! I was so mad to see her so upset and feeling so defeated. I take most everything that DRs and neurologist’s say to me with a grain of salt anymore. Which is sad because most people believe what their DRs tell them to be fact……..I love your videos and I am thankful that you take your time to support the stroke community….you truly are an angel to do all that you do. We need more people like you!!!

Thank you... Thank you... I will not quit .. I will keep recovering. Thank you for your encouragement. .God Bless you.

Thanks a million for your passion and your encouragement. My first neurologist told me that recovery reaches a plateau after six months, which I accepted to mean that rapid recovery slows down to a gradual, less spontaneous process. I was extremely annoyed however when a distinguished, highly respected physiatrist pushed me, asserting that is was "time to move on" as I was approaching a year and a half, post stroke. I found the idea of "moving on" from a stroke so outrageous that I didn't bother to respond. Strangely, this type of thinking is very prevalent, and many "JOBBERS" in the stroke industry do tremendous damage with their "good intentions," negative attitudes and empty words. I greatly appreciate people like you who are authentic, passionate and well informed. Next to the hard work of regular, intensive therapy, Optimism is essential to stroke recovery. It is what pushes me to continue therapy, when I am both mentally and physically exhausted. THANKS A MILLION for being a LIGHT on the long, arduous and frustrating stroke recovery journey.

I think recovery has a lot to so with the mind set of the patient, the determination and the work put forth in recovery, trust in God. He is ultimately the one in control.🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻❤

Thank you for this video. I was almost giving up cos they said after one year the left hand won’t recover, but now I’m motivated to continue trying. Thank you.

Thanks you give me confidence .Trust me I will never give up on trying to get back to my normal self

You are the best for making this video. Thank you. I didn't have a stroke but I'm a caregiver of a victim.

Hello. I’m post stroke Aug 5, 2023. I’m a 39 yo male but was 38 when my ischemic stroke occurred. What has really bothered me is the lack of resources for young people who have stroke. My doctors pretty much have given up on me since I only lost the ability to walk for three days but have struggled mightily with cognition and emotional problems. Their solution is to throw meds at it. I’d love to speak with you about some of this, but this video was encouraging. One doctor told me that I would make the most progress during my first year post stroke but prolly wouldn’t be close to my former self til 12-18 months out and that “recovery” would never stop more than likely. Other doctors told me whatever I had at 9 months is what I would have forever. Thanks for what you do. I definitely subscribed.

Great and informative! Thank you. In 2017 my brother had three horrible cerebellum strokes. He was only forty seven . He has been rehabbing for five years now and continues forward progress. He is now very fit as he rides a three wheel bicycle almost daily. This is his only true independent time. He has major balance and walking issues. Dale is his name and this stoke has definitely taken an emotional toll . I am aware there is so much intricacies in our amazing brains. The mini brain plays a big role in balance and emotions. Thank you. If you could share any expert knowledge or wisdom about cerebellum strokes in particular or recovery information this would be awesome!

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO!! I AM 18 MONTHS OUT FROM MY BRAIN-STEM STROKE AND MY OT TOLD ME JUST LAST WEEK TO ''BE REALISTIC'' I WOULD NEVER WALK AGAIN-JUST GET A BETTER WHEELCHAIR!!'' MIND YOU IT WAS MY 1ST VISIT WITH HER!! MY 1ST REAL OT/PT ALSO...SO I IGNORED HER!! MIGHT EVEN FIRE HER...I NEED ONLY POSITIVITY AROUND ME!! I WILL WALK AGAIN !!

It's been 18 years after my stroke and I just got more feeling back in my hand and foot. My doctor's and about 5 different physical therapists told me that I "would stay that way" that "this was my new normal". My Doctor after the stroke told me I was lucky I was even alive so that my disability was much better than losing my life

A positive attitude is powerful in the beginning and through out the process do your best and think God for what you have

Thank you so much! I am 8 months out from my stroke day and needed this video and have seen your other videos as well.. This is the shot in my life, of continuing my health in progress!!! I have subscribed and will tell other's as well. Thanks again 😃

thanks for the new info & encouragement!!😀

U have been a lifesaver for me elyse. Thanks

I love you to bring light and hope on this topic. My sister and I are helping our mom who is 75 years old to recover from a stroke that happened about 7 months ago and listening to you has given me renewed sense of hope and motivation. Thank you for sharing

Thank You for the positivity. Thats what many Say but Its our determination and willpower which will get is through. PLUS encouragement and reminders from you!😊

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am almost a year post stroke. The post hospital physio is vary sketchy here so I search on line for exercises , inspiration and motivation. I Thank you again! ❤❤❤

Thanks for rekindling my hope. Great video. It’s been almost three years that I had this stroke and I believe I will be well soon.

Thank you for your calming, gentle manner. You're a good inspiration for me.😊 Like a patient friend..

Thank you this was great info I been looking for a easy to understand video on how the brain heals after a stroke thank you so much I definitely learned

Thank you for your knowledge . I had my stroke 4 and a half years ago . My stroke was a ich stroke and was told by doctors that I would never walk again . I can walk but only for 250 feet and need to rest . I won't give up and I am learning more every day. Again I thank you Elyse Rudy Nava

Thank you for your inspiring posts. It helps me more to be motivated and focus on my recovery.

This is very helpful because I need hope, having been a sufferer of depression all my life and - along with it - hopelessness. You give me hope, which encourages me to keep on with my recovery. Thank you.

I am crying whilst reading your comments. Having had two strokes one year and half a year ago, I am still trying to figure things out. I can read I am not alone. I am not alone.

Hey Dr.Elyse and everyone. This video and your comments helps me a lot to stay positive.Thank you so much. My father is going to be on the second year of stroke recovery coming April .

Finding you on youtube is such a blessing. Following my ischemic stroke, my assigned therapist did make me feel like my progress was more than likely not going to improve much after the first 6 months. I felt deflated and like I needed to further explore. I am 1.5 years post-stroke, still recovering, sometimes feels like one step forward & two steps back and you've given me a renewed sense of hope., Thank you :)

Thank you mam you have given me HOPE

Thank you very much for this video🌹 I had a schematic stroke 11 months ago, affected my entire left side. I have been trying very hard to regain my mobility through therapy and self motivation. I went to my primary Dr and asked what he thought about my recovery, if he thought I would recover soon or completely (I just wanted to hear a positive note from him) all he said was if I hadn’t recovered by my second year I was basically going to stay that way! That made me so sad I went home in tears because I have bern trying so hard 😢 . Then I thought wait a minute, that’s “his” opinion, God has gotten ne through this and he will continue to hold me through me recovery, sending me positive people like you🙏🏼 Thank you thank you thank you🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼( btw, I am changing providers)

On the right side I have two small strokes walking and talking was difficult I found going upstairs difficult and swallowing large food packages,never ever experienced cold in the body like that,that was two years ago. After taking nmn and loads of olive oil,salmon thrice week.and plenty vegetables. My writing and right hand is normal body temperature is fine ,right leg still hobbling a bit,but still work full time and continue to improve. Don't give up anybody who has experienced a TIA it can get better.

I just subscribed. I had my haemorragic stroke about 10/10/2015, 10 days before my 60th birthday. I tried to get up from the couch, and noticed it was oddly problematic. I tried to swear about it and noticed that my speech was affected. My mother had had TIAs, so I just went to bed. I didn’t get better by morning so called my son for help. E took me to local hospital. I was discharged after about a week. My BP had been unusually high, and I did not catch it in time. Some aphasia and balance issues remain. I have found Brain & Life magazine. I will get your news too.

Hello Mam.. I'm Anna from the Philippines..42 single mom of 4..I had a hemorrhagic stroke 13 months ago.the physical therapy in the public rehab center,told that that 6 months is the golden period to recover..now that I already passed out this time,my recovery will be slower and little by little

Thanks for your video information, I'm 6.5 yrs post stroke and feel I'm still recovering.

thanks for this. im hoping to still recover from my stroke after a year. praying for that

I want to thank you so much for this very encouraging video! I'm approaching 5 years post stroke in June 2023! I'm still striving to do better. I'm thankful that I can do a lot but I can't run or walk very far yet because of extreme pain in my lower back right side. I have no other pain but that. It's enough though. I will keep trying and researching better ways to get back to Sophia before stroke (ischemic stroke). I will never stop and I encourage others to never stop as well! Thank you!

This is the video I was looking for. I needed the truth and I was given wrong information. It was almost as if doing research when you are seriously recovering from a stroke. It's been 4 to 5 years. Almost like they were sugarcoating it like they didn't want to hurt your feelings for Christ sakes. What you said is true and is a very important video. I needed to hear this and would have needed then so that I could have managed my recovery and that's what really having a stroke is about. You need to manage things so you can get through it. I have been through it. I've been on a wheelchair, couldn't walk and speak fortunately but everything like I have said many times is true! So thank you. We needed that

thank you, I'm so glad I found your channel

Wow, love this video thanks so much for explaining! Luckily no one explained it to me as a hard limit but I was told to expect a year for neuro recovery

Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏 ❤helpful 😊

This is a good sharing. Your video has been recommended to Southeast Asia

Thank you for sharing the truth! Neuroplasticity is amazing!

Thank You all for the encouraging stories!!

I'm a stroke survivor, in August of this year. With an acquired brain injury. I have problems sleeping. The struggle continues. For a seventy-year-old. I take it one day at a time. Best Wishes! Chaz

Very helpful information. Thank you. I had a stroke long-term still in recovery. Those are very helpful. As I said I've been there. Thank you

I read it on the net, first six months scared me! Thank you for this encouraging video. Frank, UK.

Big thank you for the video.

3.5 years post stroke and still making progress on my recovery. Do Not believe them when they say you can’t progress beyond a certain point. They don’t know 💩. Keep working at it!

Needed to hear thanks 😊

Thanks for the great videos

Thank you Ms. ELYSE to clarify that issue. Me I also expirience ang someonce tome about that after 6months no recover take place. Its realy frustrating to those stroke survivor.

Thank u for such a motivating video..my mother had a stroke 6weeks ago along with pneumonia. After 2weeks surprising ly she was able to move fingers on her affected arm and after a few days able to raise the affected arm a few inches.. what we do is watch videos on youtube and follow the steps for stroke recovery and most of them are your videos. YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY HELPFUL since We dont hv the capability to send her to a stroke rehab center . .Thank u very much.. Hope to see more of very informative videos God bless you🙏

thank you! I am one week out of stroke at 63, and apparently I have done amazing recovery so far. I only had to go to one speech appt and aphasia was my may alert I was having a stroke. other than being tired, frustrated easy I am doing ok until I go back to work. And all strokes are different! Mom had one when she was 63, lost speech and use of right side, spent two weeks in a rehab and came back without any signs of a stroke.

I commend your generosity sharing your knowledge and skills mam, reaching out to those, who might not afford a theraphy. Your videos helped a lot. God bless you more!

Thank you! and good luck ! :)

Today is the 6th month anniversary of my stroke and, yes, I’d been told I only had 4-6 months so it has been incredibly discouraging. It feels like my HMO has abandoned me; it won’t even give me weekly outpatient therapy any more.

My brother just had a stroke on December 30, 2022. He is currently still in the hospital. We just found out that inpatient therapy will not be allowed by his insurance so I started trying to find out what kind of therapy we as family members can help him accomplish. I do not know what kind of outpatient therapy he will get from his insurance. I think he is on one of those ppo type Medicare insurance companies. They turn down a lot of things that should be (in my opinion) provided. Anyway, I have found out some interesting things just in a very short time, including the possibility of an injection of an arthritis drug that may clear some of the issues from having a stroke. I will be checking out your videos to see how much help you can provide us with. Thank you for doing these KZfaq videos.

I’m 7 years post stroke and still improving. It infuriates me when I hear what Drs are telling people about recovery. Don’t listen to them! You can see improvement well after 6 months.

Love your video's, 14 years after my stroke I walk good long distance with an afo and a chain,short distance afo, I am 60 Years old. I stay as active as possble.

I had a stroke for 2 years now. Yes I was told my recovery happens within 6 months. But I told myself that’s impossible. I’m positive & I know recovery happens gradually & it’s true. I’m still recovering slowly, I noticed my legs still does things it’s not doing before. You’re right, thank you & you are an inspiration. ❤❤❤

This is totally true!!! My partner is 13 months out of a stroke and hes speech is improving still and hes arm function! Thanks for this

I like it that your calm and relaxed. The therapist I had was like a drill Sargent always yelling 😳