"I would like to start by saying that October is my favorite month. It represents many things; I have always enjoyed the changing of seasons into the fall, and now I enjoy October for a different reason: it is the anniversary month of my stroke, which occurred 2 years ago. My life was very charming before my stroke. I feel that while I worked hard for the two successful careers in my life, everything seemed easy. I gained many achievements in my careers. I was able to make "big" life decisions at 30 and then again at 50 to change careers. I used to live life looking at a 5-year plan and what was going to happen next. Since my stroke, I am thankful that my cognition returned and I'm able to think about each aspect of my day and how to plan it accordingly. Accepting this as my new regular has been such a big deal in my recovery. I appreciate order in my life through my daily routines, even in recovery and rehabilitation. My morning routine includes stretching, doing the small things like making my bed and my personal hygiene, and then including my morning prayers into my routine. I enjoy getting out of the house and attending my scheduled therapies and programs throughout the week. Routine and schedules are important to me. I attend ASF on Mondays and Wednesdays and I enjoy going to a church-based group on Fridays. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I enjoy the exercise classes, outings, and aquatics in the afternoons."

Robert continued, "After my stroke happened, two of my closest friends came to my rescue and assistance. They took me to appointments, therapies, and were a large part of my recovery afterwards. Since my stroke, one of my close friends has experienced brain surgery which has allowed me to give back to this friendship by helping with transportation to therapy, appointments, and helping manage his meals for him. I have learned to be patient with the patient, which also means being patient with myself," he says as he flashes a quick smirk across his face, chuckling at himself.

Robert, with his background in Special Education, and another stroke survivor, Tom, with a background in Social Work, have teamed together to create a class for stroke survivors lead by stroke survivors. Robert describes the class, 'Messaging with Tom and Robert', as "a conversation amongst peers. It's not heavy, it's a group of people getting together to make conversation and express ourselves when we're not able to express ourselves or aren't comfortable expressing ourselves around other people." He continued, "Life has taught me to appreciate the confidence that I've always had, and to realize that I still have confidence to do anything. I can experience anything and enjoy it. 'Messaging with Tom and Robert' allows us to gain confidence in ourselves through each other. All of these things are learned things, and we can learn them here through and with one another."

Lastly, Robert described how ASF has changed his views on life: "Coming here has made me realize how fortunate I am. I am allowed to step outside of myself and it's a steppingstone to my re-learning. This step has allowed me to slow down and re-learn what my next step should be. I am in this program with the other participants here with me, which is meaningful to me. We achieve small goals and big goals together. I can sit down with new people and see what they are going through and how I can help them with their journey from my journey. I have had a good life, even a fortunate life, and I want to share my good fortune with others."