Mycle Brandy Survived Multiple Strokes to Walk Across America
Multiple Stroke Survivor Walks 2,800 Miles Across America in Nine Months
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October 10, 2010Mycle Brandy arrived in Washington D.C.'s Lincoln Memorial on Sunday and announced to the tourists, "I just walked across America," reports The Orange County Register. A woman replied, "And I just walked up the steps."He began his cross country walk from Irvine, CA in February but even the 2,800 miles wasn't quite enough. Brandy agreed to The National Rehabilitation Hospital's request that he walk three more miles to their facility to speak with fellow stroke survivors.Brandy's first stroke happened in 1988 leaving him deaf in his right ear. In 1995, a stroke left his right side numb. Two more strokes, the most recent in 1999, were minor. As a remnant from one stroke, Brandy is vulnerable to a split-second loss of control on his right side that resulted in a number of falls along the walk across America."I've gotten across my message," said Brandy, 59. "This isn't the end of life, when you have a stroke. This is the beginning of a new life."The walk raised money for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association's "Start Training" program, which Brandy attributes to his strong recovery. The program helped him train for a marathon in 2004, and since then he has completed nine 26.2 mile marathons walking with the aid of his cane.Brandy feels proud of his cross country accomplishment and hopes to inspire other stroke survivors to challenge themselves and recover their lives.So far Brandy has raised $10,600 in donations, and his Facebook page accumulated more than 2,1000 friends and fans along the way.He returns home to San Clemente on Thursday. Although Brandy won't be walking back, don't think has had enough. "My plan is to begin walking again next Tuesday, to and from the gym," Brandy said.Across America Brandy was supported by an Ohio RV rental agency that escorted him and gave him a place to sleep while walking through both deserts and mountains.Before the walk across America, Brandy weighed 300 pounds, but the 6 foot 3 inch retired glazier estimates he lost nearly 40 pounds while walking the 2,800 mile journey with his cane.If you or a loved one has suffered a stroke, start on your Journey to Recovery with your Survivors Club guide.
