Archie Gainey  (Deceased)

Age at time of stroke:  68

Occupation:   USAF Retired

A friend made Archie’s quilt square.

Archie was a dear friend to me for 25 years.  He died last February after struggling to overcome multiple strokes and an amputated leg.  His dear wife proceeded him in death by eight months of heart failure.  He is missed very much.

Archie’s stroke and mine are what caused me to become a local and state activist for stroke.

Betty Gray Purvis

Age at the time of stroke:  60

Occupation:   Hotel General Manager

Caregiver:  Nursing Home

The square was made by Betty.

This square represents that Betty is a star!

Betty thinks it’s important to help the world to understand and support the efforts of stroke survivors to continue to progress to recovery.

George Doe

Age at time of stroke:  57

Occupation:   Electrician

Caregiver:   Friend, Loris Jones

George’s square represents his outstanding recovery and his will to survive.

The importance of this quilt square is to provide support and raise awareness in the general public.

Mary G. Gibbs

Age at the time of stroke:  56

Occupation:  Hotel General Manager

Caregiver:  Husband, Todd Gibbs

The square was made by Mary.

My square represents the gratefulness for the grace of God that I am not more disabled.  I am 96% recovered.

It is important because any of us or our children can be struck down by this disabler and killer at anytime.  Sometimes stroke happens for no apparent reason.  It is vital that our fellow men and women are aware of this disease and its warning signs.  It is vital for them to know that stroke is the 3rd largest killer in our country preceded only by heart disease and cancer.  The “brain attack” is the first cousin of heart disease.

Marcia Loprich

Age at time of stroke:  62

Occupation:   Housewife

Marcia made her own quilt square.

Adelaide Frances (King) Hood

Age at the time of stroke:  73

Occupation:  Nurse’s Aide in a Nursing Home

Caregiver:  Granddaughter, Deborah Guy

The square was made by Adelaide’s family.

There is a history of stroke in my family.  However, I am the youngest survivor.  Most of my relatives were older when they suffered their first strokes.  Perhaps if I had understood then that stroke is not an “old person’s disease”, then I may have been more vigilant and paid more heed to the warning signs.  By increasing awareness of this fact in the general population, I hope to spare other young people the devastating effects of stroke.  I also hope to encourage young survivors that they are not alone.

Deborah Guy

Age at the time of stroke:  37

Occupation:  Federal Government

The square was made by Deborah.

It is important to me because too few people are aware of the fact that strokes can happen to anyone, at any age, even if they exhibit no known risk factors.  I feel that more strokes could be prevented if the general population were informed that stroke is not simply an “old person’s disease.”  Once there is universal understanding of how widespread and devastating the effects of stroke can be, perhaps more funding will be allocated toward research for prevention and treatment.

Bob Young

Age at time of stroke:  52

Occupation:   Teacher of Architecture in high school

Caregiver:   Sandy Young, wife

Bob made his own square.

This building complex and the people in it are no specific place and time.  However, it does reflect Bob’s interest and occupation.

Anita Hinners

Age at time of stroke:  58

Occupation:   Farmer

Caregiver:   Harold Hinners, husband

Anita made her quilt square.

My square represents the clinic in Ann Arbor, MI and God.  The trees and plants represent the teachers at the clinic.  I had my stroke in January 1997.  I came to the clinic In January 1998 until December 1999.

It is important to have more clinics like this.  It is a good clinic and the only one in the USA.  They know about stroke and have helped me. 

Elaine Bailey

Age at the time of stroke:  76

Caregiver:  In a rehabilitation center

The square was made by Elaine.

I wanted to make a quilt square to show others what a stroke survivor can accomplish.

It is important to encourage other stroke survivors to keep moving forward.

Michele Peters

Michele made her own quilt square.

James A. Stinson

Age at the time of stroke:  50

Occupation:   Boilerman for the school district

Caregiver: Wife, Norma Stinson

The square was made by Jim’s wife, Norma.

This square represents my love of gardening roses and vegetables, and love for my family.  It represents my life before stroke, with my family and after stroke with my wheelchair and limitations.  Wording shares what I love the most.

It is important because I would like to see more monies used to find a cure to keep stroke from happening.  I want others know about stroke so that they don’t have to go through what my family has at such a young age.  To inform the public that stroke does not consider age of the person affected.

 Jackie R. Comer

Age at the time of stroke:  55

Occupation:  Retired Military

Caregiver:  Janie S. Comer, wife

Captain Jack’s wife, Janie, made the square.

My quilt square represents Jack’s lifetime commitment to his country.  He served in three branches of the military for his love of freedom and his county’s flag.  He lost his ability to serve his country due to his first stroke while in the active military.  This was the love of his life.  He enjoyed every single day he was involved in serving his country.

This is a very important issue with us.  Our whole life has been turned around due to strokes.  Jack has had four major strokes starting at the age of 55.

William Kenton

Caregiver:  Nursing home

A friend made William’s quilt square.

Bill’s square has stones on it to represent that he was a member of a gemologist group when he had his stroke.  He loved collecting stones and now he doesn’t even remember it.  His stroke affected his left side and he can no longer care for himself.

Stroke is the #1 disabler in our country.  People need to know that they can do something to change it.  We can help educate them to know the warning signs through our Stroke Quilt, so they can try to prevent themselves from having a stroke.

Nancy Lepelletier

Age at time of stroke:                        46

Occupation:  Administrative Assistant

This square was made by the stroke survivor, Nancy.

It was like a lightning bolt to the brain.  I was struck unknowingly and without warning!  I was 46 at the time and had three children.  My whole family and friends rallied around me with love and support.  The sun is shining on my quilt square with the beams of light representing the love of God reaching down to surround us all.  The four hearts are my family, with the outstretched hands representing the caring that surrounded me as they reach up to the heavens for support.  I have never known such love and caring as I felt when I was suffering.   I thank God, and my family and friends for their prayers.

It is important because if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.  I want to raise awareness to benefit my children and the rest of my family.  The lack of information about stroke is appalling, especially among members of the medical profession.  People need to realize that even though one might not have any outward disabilities, it doesn’t mean that their brain is functioning correctly, which is pertinent in my case.

Dorothy Hall (Deceased)                

Occupation:  Musician

Caregiver:   Michael Kenton, friend

A friend made Dorothy’s square.

Dorothy’s square represents what she loved to do.  She passed away this past April.  She used to travel the world playing in orchestras and concerts.  She was a wonderful person.

To many people do not know the warning signs, let alone what a stroke can do to a person.

Kathy Niehoff

Age at the time of stroke:  37

Occupation:  Caterer and mother

Caregiver:  Husband, Doug Niehoff

The square was made by Kathy.

This square represents the things I still can do and  enjoy after my stroke.  I do gardening, and Indian beading like my name in the square, and loving my husband which is depicted by the two hearts.  After some recovery from my stroke, I married the love of my life, Doug.

The beach in Monterey with the shells, is where we spent our honeymoon.  I still love and enjoy the natural beauties of the butterflies and flowers that God placed on this earth.

Because of my age at the time of my stroke, I hope to make people aware that strokes don’t just  happen to little, old men.  It can even happen to young, healthy women.

Leslie M. Rasmussen

Age at the time of stroke:  80

Occupation:   Retired Railroad Switchman and Yardmaster with the C&O Railroad

Caregiver:   Daughter, Barbara Rasmussen Woodworth

The square was made by Leslie’s daughter, Barbara.

The quilt square represents that which is most important to him.  His strong faith in God and his strong faith in his inter-generational family, who love him dearly.  The train represents the many years he spent working on the railroad; the farm, his humble start and his love of the rural life, the animals, farming, and especially gardening that he has loved all his life.  He still has a garden, although not near the acreage he planted a few years ago.  He loved to travel and has been to some foreign countries but his own little farm is what he always loved the most.  He and his wife, Joan, have been married 59 years.  The dancing couple represents their love of dancing together all those years.  It is also indicative of the joy of being together and loving and sharing which is necessary to having fun together.  They loved to travel, fish, visit their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  They also love playing cards which they have done with special friends for 59 years.  He has been extremely active and independent, only recently slowing down.  It is extremely difficult for him to be dependent on others for care.

It is important to promote research and the ability to eliminate strokes for future generations.