For Aaron, cooking is life. He’s enjoyed cooking and being a chef for as long as he can remember, so when a brain abscess caused him to lose mobility in his right side and nearly took away vision in his right eye, he was at a loss as to how to move forward. But he did.
He explained, “I may not be able to do what I used to do but that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything. I’m still alive and I’m thankful for what I have.”
Aaron diligently began physical therapy and occupational therapy. He worked hard to move from a wheelchair to walking with a cane. And though he still can not use his right hand, he found a way to start cooking again, first with the help of a nurse, and now, on his own. He’s turned lemons into chef-made lemonade.
On Aaron’s road to recovery, he ran into hurdles with his insurance company. They only covered 30 rehabilitation visits and he needed to continue therapy beyond those sessions to improve his mobility. That’s when he learned about BELIEVE – Stroke Recovery Foundation. Aaron applied for a grant through BSRF and received it. With the grant and reduced costs sessions at NextStep Raleigh, Aaron was able to continue rehab for more than three months, without any out-of-pocket costs. “The grant from BELIEVE made it so I didn’t have to go into as much debt as I would have,” he said. “I’ve been able continue with rehab and now my arm is getting stronger.”
Aaron is now filming weekly cooking demonstration videos under the name, the Single Handed Chef, and inspiring people to challenge themselves along the way. He’s been interviewed for podcasts and is working to put his own podcast out as well. “Getting this grant from BELIEVE gives me hope – people are taking time to invest in me at a time when I’m at my lowest. It just really pulls at the heart strings.”
As Aaron can attest, for most people with a brain abscess, brain injury or stroke, the road to recovery can be arduous. To donate to BSRF and continue to provide financial assistance and resources to help survivors continue their road to recovery, click below: