Jim Johnson’s day began like any other at around 6 a.m., but he immediately noticed something was off. His right side felt numb, and as he shifted to his back, he hoped the sensation would dissipate, but it did not. Fearing the worst, he realized, “This could be bad.” Climbing out of bed, he realized his right leg was dragging. Concerned, he understood that these symptoms could indicate a stroke, which led him to seek immediate medical assistance.
Less than 30 minutes later, Johnson found himself in an emergency room in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After various diagnostic tests, doctors confirmed that he was experiencing a stroke due to a cerebral hemorrhage—a ruptured blood vessel leading to internal bleeding in his brain. Medical staff promptly began treating him with a coagulant to halt the bleeding and admitted him to the intensive care unit. Fortunately, he remained alert without experiencing difficulties in speech or cognition, and the symptoms on his right side diminished rather quickly. Medical professionals informed him that had he delayed seeking help by even 15 minutes, the outcome could have been significantly worse.
At 67, Johnson was overall healthy and maintained an active lifestyle, enjoying walking, running, and cycling, and heading a company dedicated to bicycle tours across Europe. However, during a neurological evaluation on the same day, doctors identified several risk factors that may have led to his stroke. Johnson had previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea and was using herbal supplements instead of his CPAP machine. The physician explained how sleep apnea could lead to intermittent low oxygen levels, increasing the likelihood of high blood pressure and stroke. Additionally, the fact that he had endured two COVID-19 infections prior to his stroke raised further concerns, with lingering effects that caused cognitive difficulties. The doctor noted that inflammation from COVID-19 could weaken blood vessels, increasing the risk of hemorrhagic strokes.
By the time Johnson reached his fourth day in the hospital, his physical symptoms had almost completely subsided. He was discharged straight from the ICU back home, though he still faced a lengthy recovery process. The stroke exacerbated existing issues related to brain fog due to long COVID and balance complications from Ménière’s disease, a condition he’d dealt with for nearly two decades, affecting his inner ear and causing bouts of vertigo and hearing loss.
During physical therapy, Johnson discovered that the balance problems he faced stemmed from his eyes not coordinating to send consistent signals to his brain, a direct result of the stroke. Even minor variations could lead to difficulties, so he continued with therapy sessions multiple times each week for ten months. Throughout this time, Johnson managed to run his business while also engaging passionately in advocacy for cyclists and pedestrians, along with promoting greenways. The pandemic had put significant strain on his business, reducing operations significantly when travel ceased, alongside the challenges of rescheduling while working with limited staff.
His doctor cautioned that unless he managed his stress levels, he risked experiencing a second stroke, one that could have more dire outcomes. Around that time, a competitor approached him with an offer to purchase the business and absorb its pandemic-related debts. Johnson reflected on this decision, stating, “It was a painful but easy choice. Health over wealth. Not the retirement I planned on, but perhaps one that could lead to a better quality of life long term.” By the end of that year, he felt ready to embark on his first overseas adventure since the stroke, traveling to Germany and Austria to visit long-time friends, including a doctor who offered reassurance about the journey.
Upon his return, he sought further physical therapy but desired a less clinical experience. He reached out to a friend, Monika Patel, who was also an advocate for greenways and a physical therapist. “Jim was eager to focus on the functional activities he enjoyed, such as cycling and hiking,” Patel revealed. She created an outdoor therapy program, incorporating exercises designed to improve his visual stamina and balance, which included standing on one leg and visually tracking trees as well as traversing fallen logs and uneven terrain.
Through these progressive exercises in a supportive environment, Johnson accomplished a significant milestone: he regained his confidence to cycle again. The moment he shared a road bike ride with Patel symbolized a turning point for both of them. “Seeing Jim’s smile and his readiness to embrace life again was incredibly rewarding,” Patel shared. Since then, Johnson has embraced various adventures, participating in bike and boat tours through Croatia, Turkey, and Greece while also visiting family in South Africa. In the past year, he traveled extensively, trekking for four months across regions including Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Georgia, where he braved challenging hikes requiring assistance to maintain his balance.
Today, Johnson reflects on his recovery, acknowledging he may still face a 15% deficit, but he prefers to focus on future possibilities. “The more I do, the more I aspire to do,” he stated. “I’d rather concentrate on what lies ahead than dwell on the past.” His story serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and determination in the face of health challenges.