I'm Shannon Cobb. I am a Physical Therapist and I have been working with Stroke Survivors for 20 years because I became inspired by the possibility of improvement for Stroke Survivors. 

There have been many times that my frustration with the “system” that helps stroke survivors has pushed me to consider stopping what I love doing.
 

But quitting is not the answer.  That is where the idea for Thrive Stroke came from.  I have seen such great online support for other neurological diagnoses-  education, specialized online exercise programs based on the scientific evidence, a community. But before we get to that, let me tell you little bit about my journey. 

 

In 2005, I was working with a Stroke Survivor and his son.  This particular gentleman was very affected by his stroke and I was really struggling with helping this man make changes. I distinctly remember the way his son looked at me, with such expectation that I would help his Dad get out of his current predicament.  At that time I did not have the skills or the expectation that improvement was possible.  I believed that a person improved however much they could without my being able to influence it at all. 

But, I  sought out continuing education to become better able to help Stroke Survivors.   And, I have taken over 300 hours of Stroke specific continuing education and continue on my journey of learning more about helping Stroke Survivors. 
 

Doing this has helped me develop a hopeful approach to helping stroke survivors improve.  There are so many ideas and useful information that I have provided to my clients that have helped them more forward in their improvement.  I have opened a business that provides therapy and exercise support to Stroke Survivors.  I did this because I believe that the “health system” is not designed to support Stroke Survivors over the course of their work to improve.  

That is what Thrive Stroke is all about.  When you join  this community you can expect to get more stroke specific information and expert guidance, access to exercise classes and programs, interviews with other experts in different areas that impact stroke survivors and more.