Pat Bearowitz’s Story

Hello,
My name is Pat Bearowitz. I am a very special bear. Something happened to me when I was a very tiny bear still growing inside my Mommy’s tummy. I had a stroke. So many people can’t believe it when my Mommy tells them what happened to me, but it is quite true!! It is more common than most people think. So many people say, I thought only the elderly have strokes. What they don’t know, and what my Mommy tells them is that children and babies and even unborn babies have them too. But guess what!! My Mommy says that I am one of the most special bears to be born. She says that I am a hero!!! How many people do you know that can survive a stroke before they are even born??? Me and all my very special friends that have survived strokes in utero and as babies and kids are so much stronger than anyone I know and it is our job to tell people about us and let them know so that they can recognize the signs of a stroke and maybe even one day save someone’s life!

I am visiting with my very special friend Elijah right now. His Mommy took a picture of us together on his couch. He lives in Missouri. There is so much to do and see in Missouri. Just like me, Elijah wears a brace on his leg. Right now, Elijah has a cast though. They are trying to stretch his very tight leg so that he can walk better. His leg is SO TIGHT that his doctor couldn’t even cast his foot in the neutral position!!! He is such a trooper though. He is a really funny joke teller too and he likes to make people laugh all the time. He really is a fun kid. He just had a birthday not too long ago too. He turned 7!! I am having SO much fun with him here in Missouri. But I really want to see places all over the country!!! Maybe even travel over seas if I can!! But…..I need your help. I can’t travel all by myself you see…..I am just a little bear. Would anyone like to help me? I would love to come and spend a week or two at your house and play with you. Maybe you can even take some pictures of us playing together and you can write about it in my very special journal. My Mommy asked that I be sure to journal all of my adventures so that when I get back home from my vacation, she can see where I have been and what I have done. I want to meet lots of other stroke survivors. I think we might have a lot in common.

If you wouldn’t mind having me as your very special guest, maybe you could email my friend Elijah’s Mommy and tell her. That way she can make up a whole list of places I can go so that everyone can help me travel across the country. I promise I will be a very good bear when I come over. Maybe I can even come to therapy with you and meet your therapists. I need OT and PT to help make me strong. I don’t eat much either. So I wont be a burden….Oh and just so you know….I give the BEST hugs. Really!! I DO!! And I love getting them in return! They make me smile

Well, I have to go now. Elijah is going to bed so I need to go to bed too. His Mommy is reading us the best book ever!! It is about a mouse called Geronimo Stilton. He is a pretty funny mouse. Goodnight!!!