Dunham Family and My Stroke Story!

The COVID-19 pandemic shouldn’t reduce access to stroke rehabilitation Thursday, October 29th is World Stroke Day and for the nearly 800,000 lives changed by stroke in the U.S. each year, rehabilitation offers a way to achieve the best possible recovery from a stroke. As a stroke survivor I know firsthand the importance of rehabilitation. When I was recovering from two strokes in January 2012, it was a long road and I couldn’t have done it without support from my family and my therapists. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way healthcare is delivered, it is important for stroke survivors to take advantage of the first three months after a stroke. After a stroke, a person may need therapy to learn to walk or talk again, re-learn skills needed to be independent, recover communications and cognition skills, and address other consequences of stroke. For six months, I endured intense speech, occupational and physical therapy about six times a week. Unfortunately, during the COVID-

 Recently, I was contacted by a woman seeking political office. She asked me to endorse her for a national office for a trade association. I asked her why my endorsement would make a difference especially because I haven’t been around that industry for 15 years.  She responded writing, “You are still known and well loved by so many CEO's across the country! This will be so impactful!”   When I announced that I was not running for another term to be on the Board of the College of Western Idaho, at the same time I did announce my endorsement for woman to replace me. By the deadline to file for that seat, my endorsed candidate was unopposed. She thanked me and said my public support made the difference.   Around 20 years ago, an incumbent Idaho Governor asked me to chair his lobbying committee.  In other words, he wanted to use my “name” and reach out to all of the lobbyists in the state to help his reelection campaign.   When I asked him, “why Mark Dunham,” he’s said, “