Josh Gray

May is National Stroke Awareness Month – are you ready to start planning how to spread awareness? National Stroke Association is your number one resource for tools and inspiration about how to raise awareness about stroke in whatever way you can. Visit www.stroke.org/SAM for more info.

It doesn’t matter if you are an individual or a large corporation, because the more people we reach, the better.

We urge you to tell others about how to:

• STOP stroke through risk factor management.
• Act F.A.S.T. to increase recognition of and response to stroke symptoms.
• Spread HOPE about recovery from stroke.

Get all the free downloadable tools you need to make your May awareness activity the best it can be. Visit www.stroke.org/SAM for more information.

Forward this to friends: The more people we reach, the better for reducing the impact and incidence of stroke.

Josh and Joey have something very unique in common and can relate to each other in ways not many people can at their age. Both boys suffered a massive stroke at the age of 16 and saw their lives changed instantly. We met Joey Vitulli and his family Michelle, David, Nick, and Alexis at their home in Corona after his mother, Michelle, read Josh’s story in the Press-Enterprise newspaper. Michelle reached out to us with compassion and a true understanding of our new found life. Our entire visit was filled with related stories and experiences in doctors, hospitals, rehabilitation, and our own reaction and feelings.

Joey recently celebrated his 19 birthday this month and nearing his third year recovering from a massive stroke that affected 1/3 of this brain. With consistent hard work and the same determination he carried playing high school sports, Joey has made a remarkable comeback in all areas. Josh and I couldn’t complement Joey enough on how well he looked and seemed to us. You would never know this young man’s injury by his appearance or his personality. Seeing Joey and hearing his testimony is what ministered to Josh and me the most. We got a glimpse into Josh’s future and what we might expect as we move forward in his life. Throughout the evening Joey would encourage Josh to not give up, keep working hard, and never lose sight of God. The family shared with us the first two years after the injury would be the toughest and most crucial in Josh’s recovery. After that, things would get a little easier from day to day. Joey has since graduated high school and is now enrolled in college. One of the biggest questions Josh had for Joey was, “do you have your driver’s license?” Joey proudly admitted he does, and drives all around town. Hearing this news lit Josh like a party favor and made his day even brighter. Josh realized the possibility of driving someday could be soon. Like most teenagers who want their driver’s license, Josh is no different. Eagerly awaiting the opportunity and freedom driving has to offer. After a short time with our new friends, it seemed apparent some frustration was lifted from Josh, in meeting someone who survived and made it through an incident like his. On occasion during the last 9 months the question had been asked, “why me” and “am I the only one?” Thanks to Joey and his family we can answer some of those difficult questions and look forward to a successful and bright future. It was an amazing night of ministry for both families, a Divine appointment for sure. What a blessing for Josh to have new friends who traveled the same road before him and have a desire to share their experience and encourage his journey.

I've been working on my smile. Can you tell?

Tuesday March 2 was a big night for Josh. This was his first live Lakers game at Staples Center. If you’ve followed his story, you may recall his first word after having a stroke was “Lakers” which describe how important this team is to him. The night before the game he could hardly sleep. He said he tossed and turned thinking about the game and what he could expect. At school he was dressed in his official Lakers jersey and spread the news to all who would hear that he was going to watch the Lakers that evening. The ride to Staples Center was quiet but you could see how fidgety he was with anticipation. Tapping his foot on the floorboard and rocking back and forth in the seat with a constant smile on his face. He said more than once “I can’t wait. Are we almost there?” As we arrived, his eyes got bigger and bigger at the sight of the arena. We got there early with time to roam around Nokia plaza and experience the lights and glitter of the quad. It was like a child’s first visit to Disneyland. I stood back and watch Josh take in the experience. Josh’s level of recovery was evident in his ability to process all the activity that surrounded the busy entertainment environment. He took it all in without missing a beat. We took pictures and yelped and howled as we waited to enter the building. At six o’clock they opened the doors and began letting the crowd inside. “This is it!” he said. It was time. We gave our tickets at the door and Josh asked if we’re officially in. The ticket taker responded with “yes you are” and Josh let out a loud YES just within the doors. He had arrived at the famed arena where his beloved team plays the game he’s so passionate about. He said “I can hardly breathe I’m so excited.” I could see him panting as we passed through the curtain and got a view of the court for the first time. He just stood and starred. This alone was a big moment for him.

We enjoyed the game as we always do, loud and proud to be Lakers fans. Josh had no problem getting in and out of his seat to yell for his team throughout the entire game. I can say that I’ve never seen him so thrilled and wide-eyed since his injury last June. During the game, we had the pleasure of meeting and enjoying the event with our new friends from Verizon, who were responsible for giving Josh the opportunity to be there. Shyra Arrington and her daughters Shanera and Soriah offered Josh the tickets after reading his story in the newspaper a week ago. Shanera and Soriah are schoolmates with Josh and were so inspired by his story they wanted to give Josh this gift. While at the game, our friends from Verizon gave Josh a Lakers hat and shirt and lots of love for the inspiration he gave them.

Josh and his family would like to thank Shyra, Shanera, and Soriah and our fan mates from Verizon for an amazing evening with the Lakers. Also, we would like to thank the Los Angeles Lakers for a resounding 122-99 win over the Indiana Pacers during Josh’s first of many pro basketball games.