The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Windsor-Essex took a moment to recognize the volunteers who support the organization Wednesday night and to present a $10,000 prize to a most deserving recipient.
Volunteers packed the Kensington Court dining room in South-Windsor for the event, but the interesting twist is the winner of the Heart and Stroke Cash Calendar Lottery. John Humphrey had a stroke in 1979 that completely paralyzed his left arm at just 15 years old.
Thirty-nine-years later, what started as gradual movement in his arm has come full-circle and he's regained the use of his left hand. The sports writer — who boasts the ability to type 94-words per-minute with one hand — says giving up was never an option.
"The thinking back then was if you didn't recover within six-months that you weren't going to. I had my stroke in grade 10 and all through college and all through university I couldn't move my arm," says Humphrey who brought his mother Louisa along to receive his ceremonial cheque. "I try to tell people that have had a stroke that if you work at it, you might get better, but if you don't work at it you're never going to get better."
Humphrey says he initially hung up on the representative when they called to break the news.
"I figured it was just a telemarketer so I hung up and then 10-minutes later he leaves a message that, 'he's got some exciting news for me, could you please give me a call ... you've won $10,000 on the Cash Calendar,'" says a laughing Humphrey. "I called my mom and my mom thinks I'm always joking; she thought I was joking when I had the stroke."
He tells AM800 News when he had his stroke the only option was to head to London for treatment, but things have changed, the Heart and Stroke Foundation makes sure people get the support they need right here in Windsor-Essex.
"Now stroke rehab here at Hôtel-Dieu Grace and Windsor Regional Hospital is actually on par, if not better than London," says Humphrey. "The doctors and the therapists, it's exciting to see."
Humphrey's has covered OHL hockey in the region for several publications over the past three decades — also serving as a freelance writer for the Canadian Press.