Tom Douglas
Born and raised in The Bronx, Kingsbride section. Went to St Johns for elementary school, LaSalle Academy for high school and City College to receive my BS in Computer Science. Went to work for Loral Electronic Systems in Yonkers where I remained for thirty five years. In those years the company was sold twice; first to Lockheed Martin and then to BAE Systems. We also moved twice first to Ridge Hill in Yonkers and then to Wayne NJ. I married my childhood sweetheart when we both 19. We went to live in the Inwood section of Manhattan, then Riverdale in the Bronx, then Fleetwood in Yonkers and finally to Patterson NY for the past 37 years. We raised five children together now ranging from 27 to 39 years old. We are also blessed with three granddaughters and two grandsons, all living nearby.
March 4, 2011my life went out of control and everything totally changed. We were heading to a college conference at Katie's school and just as I was heading downstairs the world went spinning and I collapse on the floor yelling for Debbie.
Thanks to the Putnam Lake ambulance for their quick response and professional handling of the out of my mind me.
After 24 hours of hell at the hospital I was finally told I had a severe stroke in my brain stem. No use of my right side, sight problems, speech problems and severely depressed.
Thanks to the Danbury hospital rehab center for my care and initial recovery over the next five weeks. Special thanks to Jeff and Tracy for bringing me back from the terrible darkness and giving my life back.
On to out patient rehab where I was once again so lucky in getting Debbie and Becky as my therapists, thank you so much.
I have also been blessed with great doctors who have helped in my recovery, special thanks to Dr. Mathias for getting my eyesight back, Dr. Bob for keeping my spirits up, Dr. Mashman for his inspiration to both me and Debbie.
I have no idea where the past ten years have gone but as in everyone's life it has been full of hardships and blessings.
Hardships; house burning down, loss of my job, broken ribs, kidney stones, the loss of my Dear mother in law Beatrice, the loss of my wonderful Aunt Joannie and Aunt Ann (from COVID), loss of contact with most of my friends, closing down of my trailer, loss of my great dog Molly and I am sure others I am forgetting.
But I am still standing and going STRONG.
My Blessings; all five of my children have married wonderful people (the last two in April ‘21 and June ‘21), so far they have given us 5 grandchildren (the best joy of my life), the rebuilding of my house from fire, being a volunteer at Danbury hospital as Peer Support, the creation of our non profit in support of people impacted by stroke, the wonderful new friends I have made through the support group,, cruises to Bermuda, and most of all my wife Debbie.
These ten years have changed me in so many positive ways. It has given me time to reflect on life and death leading to an appreciation of life's gifts and obstacles.
It surely has not been easy but adversary truly makes you stronger.
These days I continue to fight the battle to recovery while trying to find ways to be useful in helping others.
My advice to everyone:
- Find ways to reduce stress in your life. Meditation, prayer, Reiki, acupuncture, biofeedback are all ways that I have tried.
- Move. Walk, exercise, dance, whatever.
- Appreciate the blessings that you have. I celebrated the first time I could move a finger.
- Fight through life's challenges, there is always hope and growth.
- Find ways to help others. Little things have made such a difference in my well being. There are always those in worse shape.
- Have faith, God is always with us.
Sorry if this sounds preachy, it is just how I feel today.
Lastly, I would never have made it without my family. They have stood by me throughout, tolerating my shortfalls both physically and mentally. I love you all.
Debbie has taken the brunt of my bad times without compliant while being fully supportive. God holds a special place for the caregivers. Words can never express my love and thanks.
God Bless,
Tom (Tommy, Dad, Grandpa and Stroke Survivor)
I survived a Stroke, What's your Super Power?
Born and raised in The Bronx, Kingsbride section. Went to St Johns for elementary school, LaSalle Academy for high school and City College to receive my BS in Computer Science. Went to work for Loral Electronic Systems in Yonkers where I remained for thirty five years. In those years the company was sold twice; first to Lockheed Martin and then to BAE Systems. We also moved twice first to Ridge Hill in Yonkers and then to Wayne NJ. I married my childhood sweetheart when we both 19. We went to live in the Inwood section of Manhattan, then Riverdale in the Bronx, then Fleetwood in Yonkers and finally to Patterson NY for the past 37 years. We raised five children together now ranging from 27 to 39 years old. We are also blessed with three granddaughters and two grandsons, all living nearby.
March 4, 2011my life went out of control and everything totally changed. We were heading to a college conference at Katie's school and just as I was heading downstairs the world went spinning and I collapse on the floor yelling for Debbie.
Thanks to the Putnam Lake ambulance for their quick response and professional handling of the out of my mind me.
After 24 hours of hell at the hospital I was finally told I had a severe stroke in my brain stem. No use of my right side, sight problems, speech problems and severely depressed.
Thanks to the Danbury hospital rehab center for my care and initial recovery over the next five weeks. Special thanks to Jeff and Tracy for bringing me back from the terrible darkness and giving my life back.
On to out patient rehab where I was once again so lucky in getting Debbie and Becky as my therapists, thank you so much.
I have also been blessed with great doctors who have helped in my recovery, special thanks to Dr. Mathias for getting my eyesight back, Dr. Bob for keeping my spirits up, Dr. Mashman for his inspiration to both me and Debbie.
I have no idea where the past ten years have gone but as in everyone's life it has been full of hardships and blessings.
Hardships; house burning down, loss of my job, broken ribs, kidney stones, the loss of my Dear mother in law Beatrice, the loss of my wonderful Aunt Joannie and Aunt Ann (from COVID), loss of contact with most of my friends, closing down of my trailer, loss of my great dog Molly and I am sure others I am forgetting.
But I am still standing and going STRONG.
My Blessings; all five of my children have married wonderful people (the last two in April ‘21 and June ‘21), so far they have given us 5 grandchildren (the best joy of my life), the rebuilding of my house from fire, being a volunteer at Danbury hospital as Peer Support, the creation of our non profit in support of people impacted by stroke, the wonderful new friends I have made through the support group,, cruises to Bermuda, and most of all my wife Debbie.
These ten years have changed me in so many positive ways. It has given me time to reflect on life and death leading to an appreciation of life's gifts and obstacles.
It surely has not been easy but adversary truly makes you stronger.
These days I continue to fight the battle to recovery while trying to find ways to be useful in helping others.
My advice to everyone:
- Find ways to reduce stress in your life. Meditation, prayer, Reiki, acupuncture, biofeedback are all ways that I have tried.
- Move. Walk, exercise, dance, whatever.
- Appreciate the blessings that you have. I celebrated the first time I could move a finger.
- Fight through life's challenges, there is always hope and growth.
- Find ways to help others. Little things have made such a difference in my well being. There are always those in worse shape.
- Have faith, God is always with us.
Sorry if this sounds preachy, it is just how I feel today.
Lastly, I would never have made it without my family. They have stood by me throughout, tolerating my shortfalls both physically and mentally. I love you all.
Debbie has taken the brunt of my bad times without compliant while being fully supportive. God holds a special place for the caregivers. Words can never express my love and thanks.
God Bless,
Tom (Tommy, Dad, Grandpa and Stroke Survivor)
I survived a Stroke, What's your Super Power?
