Charley Yates
Cocoa, Florida, United States
Brain Stem Stroke Survivor
<p><br /><br /> My name is Charley Yates. I live in Florida, on the east coast. On October 7, 2008 I had a massive brain stem stroke. I was unable to speak and paralyzed from the nose down, only able to blink my eyes. That was my only form of communication in the beginning. Blink once for no and twice for yes.<br /> <br /><br />Before the stroke I was living the American dream. I worked 2nd shift on the space shuttle. I also worked as a barber 2 days a week so my beautiful wife could stay home with our 2 beautiful daughters. I was singing solos at church and ministering to young men with addiction problems. I also ran a very successful 2nd shift prayer group at work.<br /> <br /><br />As you can see I stayed pretty busy. Now, back to my story. My family was encouraged to give up on me. Hospice was called in and my wife was told to prepare our children for my death in about 30 days. I don't tell you this for sympathy but to bring Honor and Glory to the Father. By the best the medical profession has to offer, in our area, I was given a 1% chance of survival and if I did survive, a 1% chance of ever moving anything. Well, truth is..."He is the Lord that healeth me. He is my God, my Healer"! ... and ... by His stripes I was healed"! I went 7 days without food and water. (I have fasted longer than that). I didn't want to live on machines so I had a D.N.R (do not resuscitate) order.<br /> <br /><br />The good news is that my family didn't give up, my friends didn't and God didn't either! I kept telling myself... "Whose report are you gonna believe"? On the night of the 7th day, without nourishment, at 3:00 A.M. I moved the fingers on my right hand. I was able to communicate to my wife that I wanted a feeding tube (later that morning) and I was ready to fight. The surgeon that put in the feeding tube said, "I am only doing this to appease his family. He's not going to live long enough to use it". Long story short, I've been making progress ever since.<br /> <br /><br />Praise God! 1% and faith the size of a mustard seed is enough. I have learned that faith is much harder to have when you're in a situation that requires it. It's one thing to say you have faith and another, when you hear that you're going to die, to actually believe God.<br /> <br /><br />I've passed the third anniversary of the stroke and on Dec. 22, 2011 I took my first unassisted steps! Just me, my God and a walker. My left arm, hand and voice are slowly coming back. I am now able to transfer myself to the exercise bike, at rehab, and back to the wheelchair unassisted. I still have trouble with my vision. All in the Lord's timing. He is not finished with me yet!<br /> <br /><br />I have written my testimony for 2 reasons... In Revelation it says... "They overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony"... I am an overcomer and... it is written... "They have not because they ask not"... so, I'm standing on the Word and I'm asking. Would you stand with me for continued healing? One of the problems I have is almost all of the money I had saved went to pay my medical bills. When my insurance ran out and I qualified for disability; we lost $1,800.00 a month. It's hard to live on what disability provides for us.<br /> <br /><br />I figure if money can be raised for a defense fund I can ask for help for my family. Any donation will be so greatly appreciated. I never thought I would be in a situation where I would not be able to provide for my family. It's embarrassing but I will do anything to raise money for my family. I hope to provide money for the rest of my medical bills, a home for my wife and funds for both of my daughter's education.<br /> <br /><br />It's hard for me to read since the stroke. I have to read with a magnifying glass, but praise God I can still read! Most of what I quote from the bible is from memory. I will not give up... Please help me. Thank you for your time. As it is written in numbers... "May the Lord cause His face to shine upon you and give you rest"... If the stroke and all that has happened since in any way brings Honor to God... IT'S WORTH IT ALL...<br /> IN HIS GRIP,<br /> CHARLEY<br /><br /><br /><br /> </p>
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