About Us
WHY STROKE RECOVERY FOUNDATION IS NEEDED
This is the tornado disease!
Typically, after stroke, a patient spends time (one to three weeks depending on the stroke’s severity) in a hospital where they are stabilized and receive their initial therapy, depending on the deficits created by the stroke. As needed, they will receive physical, occupational, speech, and perhaps psychological therapy.
Upon discharge from the hospital, survivors will continue their rehabilitation for a few weeks or months, generally at an out-patient facility convenient to their residence. In some cases, therapy will be performed at home instead of at a facility. We believe that the latter is problematic for the great majority of survivors because few homes have the proper equipment for successful rehabilitation.
For nearly all survivor’s insurance reimbursement for outpatient therapy services terminates, often prematurely. Gains, often significant gains, can still be made, however, the insurance termination becomes a barrier to progress, either financially or psychologically, or both. Where to go, whom to turn to, what’s next?
Enter Stroke Recovery Foundation!
THE “NEW…”
Bob Mandell
Founder, Author, Inspirational Speaker, and Stroke Coach
Bob’s dedication to helping others stricken by stroke, and those who can avoid the disease in the first place, has led to a new career path as author, stroke coach, public speaker, and founder of the Stroke Recovery Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) (3) organization.
In his prior life, he was a corporate marketing executive, partner in an international management consulting firm, an adjunct professor at Fairfield University and an entrepreneur in the telecommunications field. He earned his M.S. in Business and Communications from Penn State and his B.B.A. from Pace University in New York.
A Note from the Founder
With that knowledge, I founded the Stroke Recovery Foundation and then undertook an international search to see what was working in other geographies. I spoke with stroke professionals, researchers, doctors, therapists, survivors, and their caregivers.
An essential point from a survivor perspective – Big Time stroke recovery education is required – in language which survivors like me, and their caregivers can understand and act upon! By knowing what’s available, and possible, stroke recovery can be extended and therefore post-stroke lifestyles can be improved.”
– Bob Mandell – our founder – speaking with Sir Professor Bruce Keough, Medical Director for NHS England at the UK Stroke Forum
Advisory Council
The Foundation is assembling an Advisory Council to assist in its post-stroke educational initiative. These fine professionals understand the tremendous need for Succeeding in Your Stroke Recovery. The continuum of care breaks when reimbursed therapy terminates, in most cases, prematurely. The course’s focus is to assist stroke survivors and their caregiver partner(s) to successfully navigate a meaningful and fulfilling post-stroke life. A secondary focus is to increase stroke awareness including mitigating risk factors, and how to personally reduce one’s risk of stroke. Each member of the Advisory Council has graciously initially volunteered their time and we are most appreciative. We anticipate that this group of professionals will grow as our services and reach expand.
Dr. Walter Kernan
Professor of Internal Medicine at Yale University School of Medicine – New Haven, CT
Dr. Aileen Judith Staller
Stroke Center Coordinator at Physicians Regional Healthcare System – Naples, FL
Rebecca Bowes
Regional Coordinator of the Post Stroke Transitional Care Program – Ontario, Canada
Dr. Angel Rafael Braña-López M.D. M.P.H. M.S.B.I.
Medical Informaticist at Florida State University, College of Medicine – Tallahassee, FL
Dr. Cindy Drapel DNP, MHA, RN, NEA-BC
Head of the Neuroscience Institute at Lee Memorial Hospital – Ft Myers, FL
Stephanie Hart-Hughes, PT, MSMS, NCS
President & CEO of Hart Fall Mitigation Solutions – Tampa, FL
Dr. Joann Gallichio
Assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, FL