After a Stroke at 26, Determined Athlete Fights Back

JESSE Shea felt a little cloudy when he got up for work on a Monday. He chalked it up to being out later than usual to watch football with friends.

Jesse drove to the dock in Cape May, New Jersey, where he worked on a tugboat for a salvage operation. It was a demanding job, mentally and physically. But at 26, Jesse, a former college soccer player, was in the best shape of his life. He lifted weights daily at his local gym and watched what he ate. He had a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science.

On the drive to work, his head felt heavy. When a friend called, he tried to speak but couldn’t. It must be morning throat, he thought. He hadn’t spoken to anyone yet that day.

At work, Jesse went to put on his waterproof overalls. Except, he struggled to walk to where they were hanging.