Kevin Lesmeister, Stroke Victim, & Lonna Schmidt, Speech Therapist

Kevin suffered from a deep severe stroke that the doctors said involved 2/3 of the left side of his brain in March of 2009. With that severe of an injury, the doctor's weren't sure if he would be able to talk. In the beginning he wasn't able to say anything and had difficulty understanding a lot of words and sentences. After intensive therapy for many months involving reading, writing, and patterning his words, he is able to talk though it is still difficult for him. Therapy is an ongoing daily task for him that he works on by himself as well as in treatment sessions. With strokes, recovery is a very long and difficult process when it is so severe. Kevin is a walking testament to perseverance and good attitude.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Kevin Lesmeister
• Lonna Schmidt
• Vocal Therapy - Stroke Related

[PRANKTODEATH]

kevin i am only twelve but i just love a good sucess story and this is by far my favorite and your progress is amazing and i am truley inspired by you i hope you are doing just fine and just know you are in my heart! :]

[Amanuencis]

@PRANKTODEATH

Thanks for your comment. Kevin loves hearing that his journey is inspiration. Pranktodeath, you are inspiration also.

[Amanuencis]

It is very gratifying to read the comments we get about Kevin and his recovery. We take great pride in our ability to help people like Kevin that come to us for help. Just as importantly, we see the impact of our service on young people making their career decisions.

Good luck to you Apaulothirteen!

[Amanuencis]

Carolyn,

Thank you very much for your comment. I will pass it on to Kevin. He loves hearing from people that watch the video. And keep posting on your channel. It is inspiration for many.

[birdinsun]

Thank you for sharing your progress, Kevin. Our daughter had a massive stroke 3 days ago, and it is very scary. She can't communicate at all outside of squeezing your hand, and we can tell she is very frustrated. Our hope is that she can make the kind of progress you have. Congratulations.

[Amanuencis]

@birdinsun

Thank you for your comment. Kevin is an inspiration to all of us at the hospital. Our prayers are with you and your daughter.

Jamestown Hospital

[bulldawg28]

my mom had a stroke last monday it effected the left side of her brain she went into rehab therapy 5 days later the next day she had 2 mini strokes that effected a small part of the right side of her brain and today shd went back to rehab from the hospital she gets frustrated when she says something because she knows its not what she wanted to say . She has very little movement on her right side . what are the chances of a complete recovery from this

[kmnmalaska]

Kevin - hang in there. The road is often frustrating, but worth the effort. I had a stroke in November 2008. Lost my ability to speak. My brain worked, I just couldn't say the words. May I suggest that when you feel the most frustrated, listen to music that has a soothing effect on you. Just put aside the speech therapy, and listen, and relax. Strokes are life changers; be patient.

[kmenegazzo]

Thank you for uploading this. My mom had a stroke 2 months ago, precisely on the left side of her brain, in the speech area. Watching this video gives me hope that with all the hours of therapy we are doing she will eventually learn to speak and walk again. Tell Kevin he is an example for us all.

Lonna, I would love to get in touch with you to get some tips on the recovery process, advise me on how to do this please.

[robbieware]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am working with a stroke patient for the first time. Your video has helped me to understand more about patient. Keep up the good work and please make another film for us.

Robbie Ware, Riverdale Ga.

[TeriChristine]

This is great to see.  Thank you for all the people who help so much with stroke patients. There is hope for my father. I have faith.

[Apaulothirteen]

Thank you so much for this video, and thank you Kevin. I am just starting at University and am majoring in Speech-Language Pathology and I think I know what I want to do with what I learn after seeing this video. I want to help people and hopefully be able to do the same for other people as you have done for Kevin.

Thank you so much.