At the end of August 2024, after enjoying a summer of hiking, swimming, and pickleball, I suddenly developed a serious heart valve infection. While hospitalized, I then had a massive stroke, which left me paralyzed on my right side and unable to speak. After two weeks in the ICU and six more weeks of inpatient acute care, I was finally discharged home for outpatient therapy.
Gaylord has provided my outpatient physical and occupational therapy for the last year, and together with my home therapists, they have encouraged me to Think Possible. Just a month after starting at Gaylord I saw flyers for the 2025 Gaylord Gauntlet. I was intrigued but couldn’t even lift a piece of paper with my right hand (yet!). My therapists said, “The Gauntlet in 2026!”
Still Crazy After All These Years, refers to the crazy races and challenges that I’ve encouraged my family to do from a young age – 5-mile canoe races**, open lake swims, 13-hour hikes (Knife Edge), 5Ks (The Kilted Canter, Lobster Classic, Flamingo Four Miler), Foam Fest Runs, Marine Corps Mud Runs… While these activities were often outside of our comfort zone, I have always loved pushing myself and others to try.
I feel the Gauntlet is a unique opportunity for me to once again push myself and challenge my friends and family. To be clear, even before my stroke, I wouldn’t be able to do all the obstacles in the Gauntlet (e.g. monkey bars!!). The obstacles in the Gauntlet are not tailored to adaptive athletes, quite the opposite. But my Team will get me through to the finish line. At age 67 I’m no spring chicken, so it’s now or never…Hence, Still Crazy After All These Years. Still, I’m going to try! Still crazy.
Thank you for your support and well wishes throughout this journey. Growing up in Connecticut, I never knew what a special place Gaylord was until I needed it! A stroke is not something to wish on anyone, but what it has taught our family is how fragile life can be and the importance of love, gratitude, patience, encouragement, and laughter.
If you are able, any amount of support to the Gaylord Sports Association would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much!!
-Ginger & Team
**(My canoeing experience was minimal. Jake, age 8, flipped over backwards in our canoe as we headed sideways down rapids. Claire, age 10, and husband, John, tipped over in white water, but won the parent-child category. Jake and I finished dead last but still medaled. The overall winner was the Penobscot Indian Chief. No children were harmed in this adventure!)
