Lake County Gazette

On World Stroke Day, the focus is on raising awareness about strokes, which are a leading cause of death globally. Statistics show that one in six people will experience a stroke in their lifetime, and it is the second-leading cause of death worldwide.

There are two main types of strokes: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic. An Ischemic stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain become blocked or narrowed, while a Hemorrhagic stroke happens due to leaking or rupturing blood vessels. Immediate medical attention is crucial as untreated strokes can lead to severe brain damage or disability.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke using the FAST method—Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty—is essential for timely intervention. Reducing risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and smoking can help prevent strokes.

Rob Plaskas' story highlights the challenges faced by stroke survivors. A native of Oswego and an employee with the Illinois House Republicans for over 19 years, Plaskas suffered a major hemorrhagic stroke during surgery at age 17. Despite severe initial disabilities including loss of speech and movement on his right side, he made significant progress through rehabilitation.

Plaskas has shared his journey in his memoir "My Fight for Recovery: A Story of Overcoming Life-Threatening Brain Surgery," published in 2020. "I wanted to give hope to people with disabilities and people who need hope in life," Plaskas stated about his book's purpose.

His recovery included returning to school and eventually graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in communication studies. He later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Illinois Springfield. Reflecting on his journey, Plaskas said, “I’m proud of my severe brain injury because of what I was after my brain surgery to what I am today.”

Today, Rob continues managing epilepsy with medication and maintains an active lifestyle involving regular exercise as part of his ongoing recovery process.