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TUCSON – There is a golf event coming up for survivors of strokes. They will get the chance to learn how to golf from a professional, inspiring them to get back into the swing of life.
The American Stroke Association hosts Saving Strokes each year. It encourages survivors to get active, but it is also a way for survivors to connect.
“I remember just thinking in that moment ‘I’m going to die’ and I couldn’t voice it,” said Bridged Chiovari, a stroke survivor.
Looking at Chiovari, you would not guess that she is a stroke survivor.
“I was pregnant when it happened,” said Chiovari. “I was pregnant with my second child. I was very active and I was working on a golf course as a beverage cart girl. I was out every single day. Hiking was a big hobby of mine and it actually happened when I was out hiking.”
She was just 25 when she had a stroke. It happened from a condition she was born with, but had no idea she had.
Though the stroke gave her motor skill problems, memory issues and brain fog, she says she is lucky.
Bridget Chiovari had a stroke at just 25 years old. Photo by Bridget Chiovari.
“I try to focus on not my deficits, but all the stuff that I still have and how amazing that is,” Chiovari said.
On March 22, Chiovari will be meeting other survivors at the Saving Strokes event. Rehabilitation is a big focus of the event.
“To get the stroke survivors out here and get them playing golf as soon as possible and as long as possible is going to do great things for them,” said David Lee, PGA Golf Professional.
Lee will be teaching stroke survivors on the 22nd.
“Last year, I met a wide variety of golfers, anywhere from someone you never would have thought had a stroke, to the guests that are fairly immobile and have the single rider down here,” said Lee. “You can hit a golf ball sitting down, you can hit a golf ball from your knees, you can hit it one-legged, you can hit it no-legged. It just requires a little bit of instruction and a little bit of heart.”
Saving Strokes event helps stroke survivors. Photo by American Heart Association.
Anyone who is a stoke survivor and wants to be a part of this can. The event is completely free.
The event is Friday, March 22 at the Starr Pass Golf Club. Golfing begins at 10 a.m. and participants must RSVP.
Go HERE for more details and to RSVP.
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