After a stroke at age 28, victim helping to rehabilitate others by sharing own experiences

Sharp HealthCare Foundation will celebrate the community spirit of local heroes who have turned tragedy into triumph at the 22nd annual “Victories of Spirit” award ceremony on June 1. This year, four individuals and one local organization will be honored with the Eagle Spirit Award, an award symbolizing the Navajo sign of the most potent healing power. “The Victories of Spirit event celebrates the power of rehabilitation and strength of the human spirit, honoring former rehabilitation patients who have overcome great adversity,” said David Brown, system director of Sharp HealthCare’s Rehabilitation Services. One such hometown hero and Eagle Spirit Award winner is former Pacific Beach resident Russell Storm, who Sharp officials said embodies the altruistic, strong-willed spirit, making him deserving of the high honor. Storm, who suffered a stroke at the age of 28, shares his own recovery experience with others who are undergoing similar rehabilitation at Sharp Memorial and Sharp Grossmont hospitals, encouraging rehabilitation patients to persevere through the tough obstacles ahead. “I just try to cheer them up,” Storm said. “It helped me when people came back to talk to me and other people in the recovery program. That really helped to see how far they’ve come.” Although Storm said it is impossible to tell someone exactly when or whether they will recover entirely, he shares his own story to provide a gauge for other patients. “It was really hard to get a sense of how long everything takes,” Storm said. “No one can really tell you because everyone is different. I try to be really encouraging and tell them that it is going to be hard, and no one can really tell you when things will be better. But the harder you work, the faster you get better.” Storm — a real estate businessman and former collegiate football player — channeled his competitive spirit, strong work ethic and positive attitude after his stroke three years ago to successfully regain the use of the right side of his body. Today, Storm is getting back into activities he once loved, starting with basketball and weightlifting. “I’m just now getting back into playing sports,” he said. “My coordination hasn’t been that great, but it’s getting better.” Although Storm is 95 percent recovered, he said the experience is life changing — a point he tries to get across to patients undergoing similar rehabilitation efforts. “When they get back into their regular lives and they’re not in therapy anymore, it’s really easy for a lot of people to get really embarrassed because they walk funny or their speech is blurred,” Storm said. “A lot of things aren’t like they used to be. “I try to make it a point to say that you are going to be embarrassed, but you just have to work through it,” he said. “Staying at home won’t help you get through it. You have to get out there.” Storm continues to use his own success story to encourage others who are undergoing similar rehabilitation through one-on-one mentoring and speaking engagements around town. He will accept his award at the Manchester Grand Hyatt at 6 p.m. on June 1, along with three other former patients — Heather Berner, Randy Ewing and Bill Lundstrom – and one local organization, HeadNorth. The 2012 Victories of Spirit celebration, sponsored by Sharp HealthCare Foundation, will benefit Sharp Rehabilitation Services programs, including adaptive sports, challenged-women’s support initiative, traumatic brain-injury support and general rehabilitation. Tickets to the event are $160 with sponsorship opportunities starting at $500. Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, May 29. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.sharp.com/rehab or call (858) 939-4668.