A LIFE-SAVING RESPONSE LEADS TO A LIFE-CHANGING MISSION
MEET KIMI WOOLSEY
At the age of 45 , Kimi Woolsey survived a massive stroke .
On Sept . 4 , 2019 , she was rushing to get ready for an appointment when she suddenly could not feel her legs . Kimi immediately knew something was wrong and called her fiancé Paul for help . She saw a bright light in her right eye and felt a severe , sharp pain travel from her head down into her leg . Paul immediately called 911 , and the EMTs arrived . Her stroke survival journey had just begun .
Upon arriving at the emergency department of Renown Regional Medical Center , the Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center team went into action . Kimi received a brain MRI , then was wheeled into surgery . She was in the intensive care unit for 11 days .
She remembers someone telling her , “ Generally , people don ’ t survive this magnitude of stroke .” And a doctor saying , “ You are here for a reason .”
Kimi spent the next 41 days meeting milestones at the Renown Rehabilitation Hospital . For Kimi , the support she felt at the rehab hospital was key to her progress . “ I still feel loved and appreciated , and they ’ re rooting for me still , and I can feel it ,” she said .
On Oct . 18 , 2019 , Kimi returned home . She continues to see improvement in both her hand and leg .
Since her stroke , Kimi has made it her mission to help fellow stroke survivors . Her goal is to become the person she needed to talk to after her stroke ; she currently coaches several stroke survivors . “ They need to know that they aren ’ t alone . Mental support and encouragement are so important for each person ’ s stroke journey ,” Kimi said .
Along with the physical changes , Kimi feels the stroke magnified her empathy . “ I was always in a hurry in my life . People didn ’ t go fast enough for me — on the road , at the grocery store , in a line . Now I have more patience with myself and others ,” she said .
ANNUAL REPORT 39