05/29/2026
As we close out Stroke Awareness Month, we're proud to highlight Kevin's inspiring recovery journey.
A series of unfortunate events triggered Kevin's stroke. Two tick bites led to infections, weeks of feeling unwell and tests that revealed he had lupus. The autoimmune condition attacked his brain, causing him to lose function in his right arm and leg and affecting his speech. After initially thinking it was heat exhaustion, Kevin fell while trying to climb the stairs and realized something was seriously wrong.
The emergency medical team at Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center stabilized Kevin and began intensive treatment. After several days in the hospital, he was transferred to Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, where he spent the next month learning to walk, speak and move again.
Kevin worked tirelessly for three years, but when his recovery stalled, a new opportunity emerged. In 2023, neurosurgeon Dr. Ronald Benitez at Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center introduced Kevin to the innovative Vivistim system, which pairs an implantable vagus nerve stimulation device with targeted rehabilitation therapy to help improve arm and hand function after stroke.
The results came gradually—first his pinky moved, then his fingers and arm. Today, with his lupus under control, Kevin has regained abilities he once thought were lost forever and continues to return to Atlantic Health to visit the team that helped him along the way.
Read his full story: https://bit.ly/3SaDTuk