A devastating stroke—and resilient recovery—inspires a new fund to promote stroke rehabilitation education

In late spring 2022, Dennis Murphy III was enjoying the active lifestyle of an endurance athlete, when a major stroke changed everything. Suddenly, cycling trips and daily two-mile swims were replaced with rehabilitation goals that would help him relearn how to walk and speak at the age of 56.

Inspired by Dennis’ remarkable recovery in the two-plus years since—and his drive to support other stroke survivors—Dennis’ mother, Julie Murphy, has established a fund named in memory of her husband and Dennis’ father, Dennis F. Murphy Jr., to advance stroke rehabilitation education at UMass Chan Medical School.

Stroke rates in younger people rising 

Dennis is one of a growing number of younger and middle-aged individuals experiencing a stroke; recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that between 2011 and 2022, stroke prevalence increased 14.6 percent among adults aged 18–44 years and 15.7 percent among those aged 45–64 years. 

The increase brings to light the urgency of stroke awareness and advocacy. For a start, younger age groups may be less likely to access critical post-stroke care due to various factors. 

“Younger individuals may not think of themselves as needing or deserving of stroke rehabilitation services,” said A.M. Barrett, MD, chair and professor of neurology. 

Challenges to accessing post-stroke care may include difficulty finding and/or traveling to services, navigating health insurance, and competing responsibilities such as child care and employment. Stroke survivors may also feel compelled to hide their experience or limitations due to perceived stigma.

“You may not think you know someone who has experienced a stroke, but you probably do,” Dr. Barrett said.  "People often suffer silently. To break through these barriers, stroke education and public awareness is essential.”

Filling in the ‘knowledge gap’ in stroke rehabilitation 

Stroke rehabilitation is critical to a meaningful recovery and recommended for all people affected by stroke. The goal of rehabilitation is to restore as much independence as possible by helping a patient improve their physical, mental and emotional functions. 

Dennis experienced a major stroke that left him unable to speak, walk or move the right side of his body. While strokes are most often associated with health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and other risk factors, Dennis’ stroke was triggered by a torn carotid artery in his neck, also known as a cervical artery dissection. 

Practically overnight, life for Dennis and his wife, Sharon Murphy, shifted dramatically to center almost entirely around Dennis’ rehabilitation. After a week in the hospital, Dennis spent three weeks at an in-patient rehabilitation facility before returning to their home in Stow, Massachusetts, where he continued with daily physical, occupational and speech therapy. 

More than two years later, Dennis has achieved an approximately 75 percent recovery. The perseverance of both Dennis and Sharon, who has played a key role in Dennis’ rehabilitation, has been crucial to his progress. Today, daily life for Dennis once again includes cycling, swimming and work in his office at Murphy Insurance Agency, a family-run business.

While embracing the remarkable progress Dennis has made, he and Sharon are open about the continued challenges they face. 

“Rehabilitation is extremely hard,” Dennis said. “Progress is slow. It can be frustrating.”

Sharon stresses that emotional support after a stroke is critical.

“The rehabilitation journey is filled with both happiness and loss,” she said. “While there’s a lot to celebrate in the wins, the grief of what’s been lost is always there. A stroke takes your identity from you. You have to recreate that.” 

Dennis and Sharon give enormous credit to the medical and allied health professionals who have supported them throughout their journey, including therapists who have followed Dennis’ lead in developing goals and services.

“Meeting individuals where they are is so important,” Sharon said.

Community networks can be also transformative, such as the stroke support group at UMass Memorial Medical Center, which connects individuals and supporters impacted by stroke under the guidance of clinicians. 

Through a support group connection, Dennis participated in a panel at UMass Chan exploring how acute care teams play an early, essential role in stroke recovery, a powerful experience for both him and the students in attendance.

It also largely inspired the creation of the Dennis F. Murphy, Jr. Stroke Education Fund at UMass Chan, which will support educational opportunities for faculty, residents and students while also increasing access to information for the medical and rehabilitation community.

“It takes a family with vision to help us fill the knowledge gap in stroke rehabilitation,” said Dr. Barrett. “Their experience gives them the authority and power to speak to the problem. With the support of this fund, we hope to inspire curiosity, build a bank of knowledge and promote a community of practice where people can learn together.”

Importantly, the gift brings attention to challenges surrounding stroke rehabilitation. 

“Building a sense of urgency around this need is key,” Dr. Barrett said.

A message of hope

Dennis continues to take things one day at a time while also looking ahead. Longer-term goals include riding a bike across the country and swimming faster and farther.

Sharon observes how such an experience can dramatically alter one’s view on life.

“Post-stroke, you worry less about things that don’t matter,” she said. “Losing abilities like being able to stand and walk gives you an entirely new perspective.” 

Dennis hopes that sharing his story will motivate other stroke survivors to persevere through their own rehabilitations, while raising public awareness regarding life after a stroke.

“It’s my job to show others what’s possible, that you can recover,” Dennis said. “It takes longer than you think. You need to stick with it every single day. But you will get better.”