Move It or Lose It | Episode 139 Part 01 | Ralph Cortese: Hope in Recovery

Host: Kathy Chester
Guest: Ralph Cortese
Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on hope and resilience in the face of stroke recovery as host Kathy Chester welcomes Ralph Cortese. Ralph shares his personal journey of surviving a life-altering stroke, navigating the gaps in rehabilitation, the importance of community, and how advocacy became central to his ongoing mission. The conversation naturally highlights the challenges, the lessons, and the victories—big and small—in recovery from brain attacks (such as strokes), the critical value of support groups, and creating resources for fellow survivors. Ralph's story is one of confronting immense adversity with gratitude and determination, and he offers insight and encouragement to listeners dealing with similar challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Ralph’s Life Before Stroke and the Event (02:10–07:15)

• 2015—The Stroke: Ralph was thriving as a contractor, physically active and feeling well before suddenly being struck by a severe stroke.
• Misdiagnosis & Delayed Care: On realizing he couldn't walk or see out of one eye, Ralph called an ambulance. The responding EMTs dismissed his symptoms and left, saying, "No, you’ve already had your strokes." (04:49)
  • Quote: “Who the hell wants to go to hospital? No, I don’t want to go. Do I have to? Ready for this? He said, 'No, you’ve already had your strokes.' And he left.” – Ralph (04:49)
• Eventual Hospitalization: After crawling outside to meet a second ambulance, Ralph finally received care and a proper diagnosis.

Surviving and Reframing After Health Crises (07:15–08:33)

• Multiple Health Events: Ralph recounts surviving severe cardiac events, including dying on the table three times (06:33), and his wife’s three heart attacks.
• Choosing Gratitude: Despite loss and hardship, Ralph finds gratitude for the years and adventures he shared with his wife.
  • Quote: “We did have those six years. We did have 25 years together, which was awesome.” – Ralph (08:25)
  • Kathy: "What a great way to look at it, Ralph…you really display gratitude in a very beautiful way." (08:33)

Gaps & Frustrations in Stroke Recovery (11:10–15:17)

• Lackluster Rehab: Ralph discusses poor follow-up therapy and being shuffled through perfunctory care after moving to Colorado Springs.
• Systemic Gaps: “We're not told a whole lot of stuff…this is going to be the hardest thing you’ve ever done in your life. You’re going to have mental health issues. Your physical therapy is done at six months or a year. And they say it’s good as it’s going to get.” – Ralph (13:22)
• The Power of Specialized Therapy: Discovering neurophysical therapy and specialized devices (AFOs) dramatically improved his mobility after years of stagnation (14:31–15:17).
  • Memorable Moment: Ralph describes crying with joy the first time he could run again on a treadmill, years after his stroke. (14:54)

Mental Health, Motivation, and Setting Tangible Goals (15:19–19:45)

• Debunking Recovery Myths: Kathy and Ralph push back on the common myth that “whatever you are after six months, you are,” illustrating real progress is possible long after acute rehab ends.
• The Importance of a ‘Why’: Ralph credits a photo of his grandchildren with inspiring him through his darkest days.
  • Quote: “I was in some dark moments twice during early recovery, and I looked up on a wall and I saw the picture of my grandchildren and I said, nah, no more…what’s your why?” – Ralph (17:02; 17:56)
• Small Victories Matter: Both emphasize breaking down overwhelming tasks into tangible, achievable goals and celebrating every gain.

Learning to Advocate and Finding Community (19:26–21:21)

• From Patient to Advocate: Ralph’s self-advocacy began with voicing what he wanted in therapy, which yielded practical solutions (e.g., a therapist bringing in a ladder so he could relearn skills as a contractor, 26:12–26:35).
• Support Groups as Lifelines: Real connections with fellow survivors and caregivers led to a strong sense of community and mutual growth.
  • “Every victory was celebrated with all of us…support groups are amazing.” – Ralph (20:30; 21:03)
• Caregiver Awareness: Both discuss overlooked needs of caregivers and importance of their support.

Building Resources: Stroke Warrior Radio (27:16–32:16)

• Origin Story: The idea for Stroke Warrior Radio was sparked at a stroke awareness event, where Ralph’s voice was singled out as “radio-worthy” (27:40–27:44).
• Mission and Reach: The platform was built to fill information and support gaps, sharing survivor and therapist voices, resources, and new research in accessible formats.
  • “I wanted to communicate all the things they didn’t tell me.” – Ralph (28:12)
• Expanding Influence: Stroke Warrior Radio now broadcasts worldwide, is expanding to YouTube and live panels, and covers practical topics such as adaptive devices, nutrition, and therapy.
  • Practical Example: “I didn’t find out about an AFO until seven years. Nobody told me, I ever suggested, once I had that my life changed.” (31:06)

Coping with Cognitive and Emotional Aftereffects (36:11–39:13)

• Ongoing Cognitive Challenges: Ralph is candid about memory lapses and missed appointments—common post-stroke struggles.
  • “That’s one of the things we still go through...sometimes I’m terrible at following up. I miss appointments, you know, those kind of things. Because of the cognitive issues.” (36:11)
• Seeking and Sharing Knowledge: Both stress the need to spread practical knowledge—about therapies, insurance, adaptive equipment, and more—so others aren’t left in the dark.

Embracing Imperfections, Visibility, and Self-Assertion (41:18–43:02)

• Owning Side-Effects: Ralph addresses involuntary movements (possibly from medication), and choosing to be visible rather than embarrassed.
  • “There’s something that developed because of a bad diagnosis, but it’s what I’ve got…I just do what I do, and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Maybe it’ll work next time.” (42:24; 42:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On surviving adversity:
  “I have to make a choice to be a survivor or a warrior.” – Ralph (11:10)
• Reflecting on mental health:
  “We're not told a whole lot of stuff…your physical therapy is done at six months or a year. And they say it’s good as it’s going to get.” – Ralph (13:22)
• On small triumphs:
  “I never thought I’d run again…and after six and a half to seven years, that’s six months with a neurophysical therapist, I got an AFO, I got the water treadmill—seven years, I was off my cane walker.” – Ralph (15:10–15:17)
• The big motivator:
  “That was what triggered me to start doing things that I always did. No matter how bad it looked, I kept doing it till it became normal.” – Ralph (17:02)
• On advocacy and community:
  “Once I found other survivors…they helped me inspire myself. We became this family, this community.” – Ralph (20:01; 20:24)
• On the power of asking:
  “The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.” – Ralph (26:00)
• Encouraging listeners:
  “I want to be the search engine for stroke and TBI survivors.” – Ralph (35:48)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:10] – Ralph’s pre-stroke life; the sudden onset of stroke
• [04:49] – The dismissive EMT and delayed care
• [06:33] – Previous cardiac events; close calls
• [08:25] – Grieving, gratitude, and reframing loss
• [13:22] – Systemic therapy challenges and incomplete recovery advice
• [14:54] – Emotional breakthrough on the treadmill
• [17:02] – The ‘why’ that keeps Ralph going—his grandchildren
• [20:01] – Support group stories; building survivor communities
• [27:16] – How Stroke Warrior Radio began
• [31:06] – Discovering adaptive devices
• [36:11] – Coping with cognitive deficits in daily life
• [42:24] – Embracing visibility with post-stroke changes

Takeaways

• There is life and progress after stroke—sometimes long after traditional therapy ends.
• Advocacy for your own needs can fundamentally change the trajectory of recovery.
• Community, sharing, and support groups are critical—no one thrives alone.
• Asking questions and seeking information, even “weird questions,” fills vital gaps left by mainstream care.
• Embracing limitations or quirks post-stroke is part of self-acceptance and can empower others to do the same.

This episode is rich in hope, practical support, and the value of resilience and peer connection in the recovery process. Ralph’s vulnerability and passion are sure to inspire anyone facing or supporting a loved one through neurological recovery.