Testimonials from members of ACT:
Act has been a great place for me since my very early days of recovering from a ruptured avm. Waking up in a hospital and not knowing what happened or what an avm even was.
I have learned a lot in my time here from everyone else who is going through the same things, no one can understand better than someone going through the same. Always someone to support you no matter what you are going through in your journey . Glad I found my tribe! Bud Robinson
I was lucky enough to find ACT after my first stroke right before my first brain surgery. Not really sure how I found the group but since I did I have been through a whole lot and this group has always been there. Not one member but every member. I had and continue to have questions and multiple people try to find me answers. Never a day when someone from the group doesn’t check on me. Don’t have a lot of people who care about my situation but everyone in this group does. I say I’m blessed to be upright because I am blessed. I have a new family who cares about me and my daughter. Seriously don’t know where I would be without ACT and all of the people involved. Jimmy Thurston Jr.
I was diagnosed with an AVM after experiencing seizures at work. It took around 2 years from diagnosis to treatment. After speaking to the neurologist after my MRI and MRA, I was told I had an AVM about here (pointed to place on head), this is what is was called and I could look it up... Well, at that moment I panicked!! I turned to Google as no one around me had ever heard of this before. Luckily I looked on Facebook and found this wonderful group who have supported me from the very beginning and all through my craniotomy. Every question or worry I had was always responded to and it lessened my worries..the admins always went above and beyond to offer advice, thoughts and experiences and if they were unsure could tag people who had similar experiences. I was able to talk to people who had the same thing as me! They knew what I was talking about! Even when I had my craniotomy I asked my partner to update the page because the people felt as much a part of my family after being with me on the whole journey. Now after having had my AVM removed I have stayed in the group to try and help others with my experience as it really is amazing to hear from real people across the world who have faced the same issues. I cannot thank the ACT and its members enough for all the support and positivity they’ve provided for myself and my family! Jennifer Wilson
ACT means more to me than I can ever express in words. ACT is an online community of survivors and caregivers that has been there for me when no one else could be. My husband suffered a hemorrhagic and an ischemic stroke on January 4, 2018 at the young age of 43. Nobody in either of our families has had a stroke, let alone two at the same time, so I felt helpless and all alone. A very good friend of mine introduced me to ACT and I truly believe that I would have given up without them. This group has answered my questions, given me a virtual shoulder to cry on, told me different things to expect and reached out to me when I had not posted an update. ACT gave me the perspective of survivors and guidance from other caregivers. ACT is a group of love and my bright star in my dark times. God brought these amazing people into my life and gave me hope that I may not otherwise have. There have been so many times that I have wanted to run away thinking I just can't do this anymore, and then someone reaches saying they were thinking of me and Eric. Or I read a post that gives me hope. Every thought, every prayer, every post touches me somehow and gives me the courage to keep going. ACT is love. Sarah Coultas Ferguson
I am the daughter of a mother that lost her life to a ruptured brain aneurysm. At the time I was 16 and had no further support of information to get me through my grief. And years later, my daughter, only 15 years old suffered a massive rupture. I felt so alone again. I really needed something and ACT became that something. I couldn’t believe the support and kindness of strangers, now friends. We shared stories and uplifted each other, it was amazing. And when I myself suffered a rupture 5 months later, they were there to support me all over again. They have really been a light in some of my most darkest moments. Reena
ACT is my safe place. There is no judgement or nastiness. ACT helps me with support, compassion and understanding. There is always a member or an Administrator to answer questions. The Best part for me is I have made friends and we are here for each other. I Love ACT! Lesley