Erin O’Connor

"Northwest Personal Training has been a very important part of my recovery in the recent years. They have helped me to regain much of my strength, improve my balance, and help me in fighting the muscle "wasting" that can occur with a stroke. I am very thankful to my trainer, Rob."

Northwest Personal Training has been a very important part of my recovery in the recent years. They have helped me to regain much of my strength, improve my balance, and help me in fighting the muscle "wasting" that can occur with a stroke.

My name is Erin O’Connor. I am 34 years old. I have been married for 15 years and am the proud father of my 9 year old son Morgan O’Connor. All of this may sound very ordinary, but so far my life has been anything but ordinary….. I got married to my wife Traci in March of 1995. At that time I was just 19 years old. Just a few short months later, tragedy struck. I suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and had a stroke. I was given emergency brain surgery, and died twice in the process. When the surgery was complete, I was in a coma for a week and ?. When I woke up, I had lost all function including my speech. The hardest area hit was my ability to use my right side. My left side was also very weak. We lived in various hospitals for months. I even did a brief stay at a nursing home. (That was awful). We spent our first Christmas in my parent in law’s basement. I had to be cared for during the day while Traci was working. To say that our will and faith was being tested, would seem to be an understatement. I continued to attend therapy sessions for several years. Eventually, Traci and I were living on our own again. I continued to make progress. I was eventually able to regain enough function to retrieve my drivers license. That was a very welcome development for both myself and Traci. We purchased our first home. A few years later, our son Morgan Shea O’Connor was born. His first words at 10 months old were “car, truck, and Dadda”…..that’s my boy! Next we decided to make a move and built the home that we currently reside in. We live in Ridgefield, Wa on some acreage overlooking the river. It is a very peaceful place to be. I have continued to make progress. Northwest Personal Training has been a very important part of my recovery in the recent years. They have helped me to regain much of my strength, improve my balance, and help me in fighting the muscle “wasting” that can occur with a stroke. I am very thankful to my trainer, Rob. He has been not only an incredible trainer, but also one of the best friends and encouragers that any one could hope for. He has pushed me and supported me like no one else can. He was there by my side as my partner when I completed my first Tri-athialon. He has been both my coach, and coached my son in soccer. I can honestly say, that I wouldn’t be where I am today without Rob. I pray for God’s continued blessing on him and his family. Northwest Personal Training is full of such wonderful people. I am truly honored to be chosen as the customer of the month. Thank you for thinking of me. I look forward to reaching even further heights in my quest for regaining my full self back. It has been a long road. But fortunately, God has carried me much of the way. I lead a very blessed life, and I am very grateful.