His story:

I suffered a massive stroke in September 2000 at age 39. It left me with aphasia and right wide weakness. I worked very hard in rehab, and today I am a volunteer, mentor and advocate for people with aphasia.

I run the "Sports Talk" class at the Aphasia Community Center, co-host the Suncoast Aphasia Support Group, run an online aphasia chat group that meets twice a month called "Siesta Key Group" and volunteer at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. I am also a volunteer coach with Florida Adaptive Golf, teaching other with disabilities how to golf.