Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country and the leading cause of adult disability. Unlike many other serious illnesses, a stroke can leave visible and long-term changes to the victim’s body, behavior and ability to communicate. After a stroke, the survivor often experiences:

Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body



Numbness or decreased sensation on the affected side



Problems in speaking or understanding speech



Difficulty in self-care activities



Problems with thinking, judgment and memory



Inability to control emotions, e.g. inappropriate crying or laughing



Depression



Recurrent stroke – about 25 percent of people who recover from a first stroke will have another stroke within five years