Finding Hope and Knowledge in Recovery with Skip Batchelder | No Plateau Podcast - Episode 13

What comes after you survive a traumatic stroke, and how do you get the information you need to recover?

Author, graphic artist, blogger, and founder of the Stroke Angel Project Skip Batchelder and his family were met with that same uncertainty after he survived his stroke in 2021. It became evident to Skip pretty quickly in the busyness of his hospital stay that there was a lack of accessible and easily understood resources for stroke survivors.

“You can google until the cows come home, but finding what you need and how you can collect that information so that you can actually perform the duties that you need, both personally and within your team, that doesn’t come that easily.” (22:17)

As he accumulated resources through his recovery, he had a desire to share the things he'd learned and the material that truly helped him through everyday life after this major event. This desire grew into the project Stroke Angel, and he chose a name that would simultaneously generate hope and honor the friend who saved his life.

“The theme of Stroke Angel is, ‘Let my recovery be your hope.’” (35:45)

Today, we discuss Skip’s stroke, his recovery, how Stroke Angel began, and how he’s doing currently, 17 months later.

“Never give up. You can’t give up. You can have bad days. I had bad days. My caregivers had bad days. But you just gotta rally and just keep at it.” (41:04)


In This Episode

(0:00) Introduction
(1:57) Who is Skip Batchelder?
(3:15) Life before Skip’s stroke and warning signs
(4:59) The stages of Skip’s stroke and the angel that saved him
(14:57) The recovery journey and adjusting your attitude
(22:00) Collecting information about what’s happened/what you need
(23:43) Inpatient rehab, expensive therapy equipment, and old-school techniques
(29:44) Skip’s transition to outpatient
(33:52) How Skip is doing 17 months later
(34:57) The Stroke Angel Project
(40:56) “Never give up.”

Our Guest

Author, graphic artist, web blogger, and founder of Stroke Angel, Skip Batchelder suffered a terrifying stroke in 2021, recovered, and then resurfaced on the other side of that experience with a desire to help others through this traumatic event. In an effort to alleviate stress and uncertainty during other people's stroke experiences, Skip created Stroke Angel. Stroke Angel holds a variety of resources for stroke survivors and their families that can aid them in the recovery process, offer emotional support, and foster hope for life after a stroke.

Resources & Links

Skip Batchelder on LinkedIn   / skip-batchelder-67857013  
Stroke Angel https://www.strokeangel.org/

Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn   / henry-hoffman-01a09312  
Pete Durand on LinkedIn   / petedurand  

Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group   / 423786023009376  
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group   / saebostrokesupport  

Download your FREE Saebo Exercise Guide here:
https://www.saebo.com/stroke-exercise...

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Saebo, Inc. is a medical device company primarily engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of affordable and novel clinical solutions designed to improve mobility and function in individuals suffering from neurological and orthopedic conditions. With a vast network of Saebo-trained clinicians spanning six continents, Saebo has helped over 500,000 clients around the globe achieve a new level of independence.