Survivor Series: The Next Best Step — Rich’s Stroke Recovery Journey

On October 11, 2025, Rich McMahon felt a sudden pop in his neck while driving home from work, followed by flashing lights in his vision. Something told him to go to the hospital. Later, Rich shared that he heard his mother’s voice, who passed away years earlier, telling him, “You’re going to be okay, but you have to go to the hospital.” Fifteen minutes after arriving at the ER, Rich suffered a stroke.

Doctors discovered a blockage in his carotid artery and treated him with clot busting medication. But while sleeping overnight, another clot broke off and traveled to his brain. By early morning, Rich was unable to speak. He was rushed into emergency surgery, where doctors removed the clot and restored blood flow. During the procedure, they discovered a tear in his carotid artery, a condition known as a carotid artery dissection, which ultimately caused his strokes.

Rich’s second stroke caused significant brain damage affecting his speech and movement. He experienced aphasia, apraxia, and temporary paralysis on his right side. Overnight, everything changed. Rich could not speak. He could not move his right arm or hand. His right leg returned first, but the rest took time.

 At 53 years old, Rich went from living a busy, fast-paced life to relearning how to communicate, move, and navigate the world again. There are no clear timelines. No guarantees. No finish line. The hardest part, according to Rich and his family, is the unknown. But if you ask Rich what matters most, he won’t talk about what he lost. He talks about moving forward.

After three weeks of inpatient rehab, Rich now attends outpatient speech and occupational therapy. Physically, he is nearly back to 100%. His family practices speech with him every single day, using therapy apps, writing exercises, and constant conversation. Their son proudly calls himself the “resident SLP,” helping his dad practice words, reading, and recall.

One of Rich’s biggest milestones? Getting back behind the wheel! Driving again gave him something priceless: independence and normalcy. A reminder that progress is happening!!

Rich’s perspective on life has shifted. He has learned to slow down. He has become more patient. He is deeply grateful to be alive. Instead of comparing who Rich is now to who he was before his stroke, his family compares him to who he was yesterday. A week ago. A month ago. Right after his stroke. Because progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like one new word. One clearer sentence. One extra movement.
One small win.

Their family mantra is simple: “All we can do is take the next best step.” Not six months from now. Not next year. Just today. One step. One breath. One try. When asked what message they would share with someone newly on this journey, their answer is powerful: Outlook determines outcome. They were told early on that Rich would likely never walk independently, talk, or eat normally again. They chose hope anyway. On hard days, Rich texts one phrase to friends: “Keep pushing.” Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s fast. But because it’s possible. Rich’s stroke changed his life. But it did not end his story. And every day, he keeps taking the next best step.

Rich’s story is not just about recovery, it’s about courage, persistence, and choosing to move forward even when the road is uncertain. To anyone navigating stroke recovery, illness, loss, or a life-altering change: you are not alone. Your fight is valid. Your progress counts. And your next best step is enough.

Even when everything changes, hope can still lead the way forward.