Our Story — Fore Strokes Foundation

Our Mission

To support stroke survivors and their families through golf

Our Story

At 20 years old—a junior in college—I woke up one morning with a numb, “tingly” feeling across my left leg, left arm, and the left side of my face. I had been feeling a bit under the weather leading up to that day, likely due to the extensive travel with my college baseball team for two consecutive weeks. I thought my body was simply telling me to rest up. But the numbness didn’t go away. Not the next day, not the day after that. Ignorant to the signs of a stroke, and searching for something stronger than Advil to get the sensation back, I consulted my team doctors and trainers. They swiftly tended to me and transported me to a top-notch neurology team, who informed me that I had suffered a stroke and put me on a clear road to recovery.

Fast forward nine years to 2020—now 29 years old. I awoke on the morning of December 5th with blurred vision, extreme dizziness, the inability to stand straight or move my arm, and difficulty speaking clearly. My wife, Heather, now well-versed in stroke signs and symptoms, quickly put me through tests to figure out what was happening. She asked me to raise my arms and smile – two tests I failed miserably. I couldn’t lift my arms and my smile was “droopy”. She immediately called 9-1-1 and I was sent to Boston Medical Center where I was diagnosed with my second, more severe stroke.

To the surprise of both myself and my doctors, I was able to walk out of the hospital four days later with no serious lasting effects – something I will forever be grateful for. But the feeling is bittersweet. While I was able to resume life as I knew it prior to my stroke, I cannot help but recognize that there are thousands of stroke survivors who, unfortunately, have to create a new version of life following their stroke. Thousands of strong and determined individuals whose daily routines are now led by family members who have honorably altered their lives to tend to their loved ones.

I found myself asking, “why them and not me?” Perplexed by this question, Heather and I knew we needed to help. In an effort to assist stroke survivors in their journey forward, we created the Fore Strokes Foundation. Our goal is to use the game of golf to not only raise awareness of the ambiguous and evolving science of strokes, but to lend a helping hand to survivors and their families who are adapting to a new, often costly, life after stroke. As avid, determined, but terrible golfers, we find comfort and peace in what is a timeless game that brings about new and exciting challenges, experiences, and relationships. It’s also a perfect forum to make a true impact. We hope we can come together to enjoy the game of golf, connect with the community of stroke survivors and families, and help those impacted by strokes as they navigate their road ahead.

Thank you for following along and supporting us!