I have had a stroke; actually I have had three strokes. It was one week before my college graduation when I suddenly had a severe headache, felt nauseous and my entire left side- my arm, my leg, and my face- were numb. At the time, I didn't know that there were the classic symptoms of stroke. I went to the hospital, and was shocked when the doctors told me that I had had a stroke; I was healthy and in shape, and only 21 years old!

Lisa Deck

This was beginning of a long battle with a rare brain disease and stroke. In the next year, I had two more strokes, despite severe treatment for my brain disease- Central Nervous System Vasculitis. Treatment included steroids and chemotherapy. There were times I couldn't walk; times I had to take fifteen pills a day; times were I felt my personal loss of freedom and the fear of my death.

Before my stroke, I studied Marketing and Finance at American University, and I worked as a management consultant for Accenture. After my third stroke, I was taken out of work by my doctors. I soon became involved with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).

I became a volunteer in the AHA's National Advocacy office in Washington DC. For four years, I was involved with grassroots development and helped heart disease and stroke survivors get involved with advocacy. In 2004, I met some amazing stroke survivors and staff members from Illinois. We started talking about the needs of stroke survivors and how we could truly make a difference in the world by joining our forces as one. All five of us, along with the AHA/ASA, founded Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other (SSEEO). Although I don't live in Illinois, I am fortunate to have assisted in the development and growth of this one of a kind organization. SSEEO's mission is to provide a common voice for stroke survivors and the people in their lives. Our goals for SSEEO are to empower stroke survivors through advocacy, empower survivors and caregivers through peer visiting and to be a resource organization for those who have questions.

Besides being a Founding member of SSEEO, I am a member of the Southern Massachusetts Board of Directors, a member of the Rhode Island Advocacy Committee, and the founder/organizer of the yearly Survivor Luncheon in Washington, DC. I am also a proud wife and mother.