About 20 days or so after being in rehab, I was cleared to move or “graduate” to the next step which was another rehabilitation facility. It was more dedicated and geared toward those individuals who wanted to get back to work and community. Given that most stroke victims are much older, they normally will go home where they will be with family or to a nursing facility. I still wanted to go to work and live my life. I have a husband, a 19 year old who is in college and 3 dogs I still want to care for. Our family just moved to a new home last year; I was still trying to unpack. I just received a job promotion. It was our 20 year wedding anniversary in July. We had dreams to renew our vows and take a nice, relaxing trip since we never had a honeymoon. I felt robbed. I had big dreams! I had so much going on in life and I wanted to do so much with my life. I have a passion for animals and wanted to continue to rescue them. This was not how I wanted my life to be – paralyzed, in bed all day and night.