Sue's Story
My Story - Finding Hope and Healing
Life can throw us curve balls. My curve ball came in the form of a stoke resulting from brain surgery for a benign tumor within days of turning 51. My stroke left me with weakness on my left side with no use of my left arm and hand and unable to walk. What followed was a 6 week stay in a rehab hospital. With the help of wonderful healthcare professionals and the loving support of my family, I learned to walk and how to accomplish daily routines and tasks with my new limitations. Once home, I continued with more physical and occupational therapy in an outpatient facility. Life was suddenly different; I hadn’t planned on this; I hadn’t planned on a body that didn’t feel like my own. What’s next? With time, and the help of my occupational therapist, I was able to resume driving. Driving allowed me to participate once again in Pilates and other activities at the YMCA. I slowly discovered I could do small things on my own.
Fortunately, I had the privilege of meeting Cindy Roshon through a mutual friend in an Occupational Therapy (OT) class at the University of Toledo Medical College. We began meeting weekly for coffee and forged a friendship with common understanding and issues of living with stroke life. Over time we noticed improvement in each other’s abilities. Because I was exercising my strength and walking had improved. At the same time because we were socializing and talking, Cindy’s speech was also improving. After being told we had plateaued; as most survivors are; we discovered we were actually continuing to improve. We had a renewed sense of wellbeing and life had purpose in friendship.
The Stroke Life Center (SLC) was born out of the community that Cindy and I had with one another along with others who joined in with us around the table. We learned from and encouraged each other and had a good time doing it. Over time, through the SLC, we were also able to provide ongoing physical therapy to our members which included exercise and aqua therapy. Eventually we developed contacts and relationships with Occupational Therapy Students at UT and Owens College, who helped develop and enhance our Physical Programs.
Cindy and I founded the SLC because we recognized a need that was not being met in the post stroke recovery world. No matter where you are in your stroke journey; as a survivor or care giver, it is the best place to come to navigate this unexpected ife event. You will find social connection, understanding, encouragement and support, with a renewed sense of well-being.
Cindy's Story
My Story - A Journey of Healing and Purpose
At the age of 38, as a devoted mother of three remarkable children, I was balancing a demanding career with the daily responsibilities of family life. Then, in an instant, everything changed—I suffered a severe stroke that shook the foundation of my world.
This life-altering event forced me to pause, reflect, and reevaluate what truly matters. My priorities shifted dramatically, leading me to redefine what well-being, happiness, and independence meant.
Fueled by determination and a fierce will to heal, I began a powerful journey of recovery. It wasn’t easy—but through perseverance, I found not just healing, but purpose. My experience became the foundation for something greater: a way to help others facing similar challenges.
Eleven years ago, alongside the compassionate and dedicated Sue Rindskopf, I co-founded the Stroke Life Center. Our shared mission is to empower stroke survivors and their families through education, support, and access to essential resources tailored to their unique needs.
Together, we’ve built a compassionate community—one that truly understands the complexities of life after stroke. Through our work, we continue to create a welcoming space where survivors and caregivers find strength, hope, and a path forward toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.