Ray's Story

As a former professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals, Ray maintained a healthy lifestyle, frequently working out and staying fit long after his NFL days. He never considered being in anything but tip-top shape, until the day his right leg started failing him and his face began to slope. His family was with him and he could see on his children's faces that something scary was happening, something out of his control.

They brought him to AdventHealth for treatment where they were told that Ray had suffered a stroke and lost function of the right side of his body. Ray was devastated, but his athlete's heart was determined. He geared up for the toughest challenge he'd ever faced: relearning all of his basic motor functions. Through months of stroke rehabilitation and physical therapy, he began to re-master his motor functions. But more than that, he began to find a new sense of purpose in enjoying his family and not taking a moment for granted. He was inspired by his stroke care team, who pushed him when he needed it most. Now, Ray is back to living his best life, which includes his favorite part of the day: cooking dinner for his family.