Stroke Survivor Story: How Anthony Regained Strength After His Stroke at 35
When you think of a stroke, you may not picture a healthy 35-year-old man. But for Anthony Williams, that was his reality. One summer day in June, everything changed.
In this inspiring stroke survivor story, Anthony shares how he overcame the odds, how stroke recovery wasn’t what he expected, and how tools like FitMi helped him reclaim function on his left side.
Recognizing the Signs: The Stroke That Came Without Warning
Anthony’s stroke began subtly. At the time, he didn’t realize what was happening.
“Me and my wife were cleaning the grill, and I noticed my left side starting to feel weak,” he recalls. “I thought maybe it was the heat or that I was dehydrated. I had no idea it could be something more serious.”
Because of his young age, stroke wasn’t even on his radar. But the next morning, things felt off.
“When I woke up for work, the weakness was still there, and it felt really unusual. That’s when I decided to go to the hospital.”
Diagnosis: A Missed Window and a Hard Truth
At the hospital, tests confirmed Anthony had suffered a stroke. Unfortunately, he had missed the critical treatment window for receiving tPA. tPA is a clot-busting medication that can sometimes reverse the effects of stroke if given early.
“By the time they could give me medication, my whole left side was already weak—from my arm and hand to my leg and foot,” he says. “The good news was that I hadn’t lost any feeling, which gave me hope.”
The Long Road to Recovery: Regaining Movement and Confidence
Recovering from a stroke is never easy, but Anthony committed himself to the process.
“It’s been about a year since my stroke. I started using the FitMi system from Flint Rehab about three months after it happened, and it’s helped me a lot—especially in the early stages.”
Although he’s still working on fully restoring function in his hand, the progress he’s made has been significant.
“Without FitMi, recovery would have been a lot slower,” he shares. “FitMi gave me the ability to actively train the muscles on my left side in a way that felt motivating and effective.”
Why Consistency Is Key in Stroke Recovery
For Anthony, the biggest lesson from his journey has been the importance of dedication.
“The most important part of recovery is staying diligent. Even if you’re just reaching for something or making a small movement with your hand or arm, that effort matters,” he explains. “Every little bit helps the recovery process move along.”
Words of Advice for Other Stroke Survivors
To those who are hesitant about starting stroke rehab or investing in recovery tools, Anthony offers this advice:
“If you’re on the fence about buying something like FitMi or MusicGlove, just know—I’m living proof that they work. If you stick with it and stay optimistic, recovery is just around the corner.”
Watch Anthony’s Full Stroke Survivor Story
Anthony recently shared his story in a video to help other survivors feel encouraged and supported in their recovery.
🎥 Watch the full video here:
