BJJ After Stroke (Part IV) — Aaron’s Story.

Part 4 — By Chris Martin

In was July 19th, 2018 at 6:38 pm when I received my first message from an Irish mma fighter named Aaron Reilly after he had found me online by typing “BJJ After Stroke” into Google, and finding an article that read “BJJ Saved Chris Martin’s Life Right After It Almost Killed Him”.

When I received Aaron’s Facebook message I instantly pictured myself just 10 months earlier in my hospital bed doing the exact same thing as him, worrying. It was a scary time for me, as Aaron can certainly attest in his personal experience.

“BJJ from stroke” I typed on my cell phone in the hospital bed just a few days after I had a stroke from a bjj choke. Those were the “keywords” I recall searching in Google while at the very same time trying to come to terms with the fact that I may never train jiu jitsu ever again. So when Aaron reached out to me all I could do for him was tell him that everything would be just fine and provide positive encouragement to him throughout his stroke recovery.

I also told him he would compete again…..

When I was in the hospital after my stroke I could barely speak or write. I was terrified as to what life would be like when I left that hospital. The doctors could not give me a direct answer as to whether I would recover from my stroke or not, however there was one nurse who stayed very positive with me and re-affirmed that I would indeed recover. I wanted to offer the same encouragement to Aaron during his recovery process and I am glad to report that Aaron has created an incredible success story for himself after taking my words to heart!

On December 18th, 2018 (just 5 months after his stroke he wrote on Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrjWhqvBKxx/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1axc93ktcijzr&fbclid=IwAR0s3vXlJGmGQ_B-M6RpkG2rhajvAaCuqT7d-qy2FZVGBjcoiZH1SxpP_pA

I want people to hear Aaron’s story because it will certainly provide anyone with encouragement if they find themselves lying in a hospital bed after suffering from a BJJ (Jiu Jitsu) accident as well.

Here is his story:

So how did I know Aaron would compete again?

Aaron’s 2nd place finish after his stroke as talked about in his interview.

Answer: I did my research on the kid and found out that he is a certain type of person; a bit unbalanced (in a creative way), like myself, we use Jiu Jitsu as a type of medication, and support system.

Jiu Jitsu is something that Aaron and I find purpose and passion with every time we step on the mats. We both agree that Jiu Jitsu “can be better” if we understand the limitations of the neck and bring new awareness to our training methods because of those limitations.

Now, since my stroke in 2017, it is almost quarterly that I receive inbox messages and emails from other people who are wondering if they will ever train again. I hope that our stories offer you encouragement if you have suffered a stroke. There is light and it starts with acceptance, awareness, and mindset.

That said, it is important that we all work together and spread awareness to our BJJ community so that others learn about the “carotid artery’s” and what part they play in our sport, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ).

Not too long ago I also told my story on The Grappling Central Podcast Episode #290, check it out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4cArWlI-k/

Check out other references and similar stories:

Part 6 of this series — https://medium.com/@bizjitsu/a-jiu-jitsu-choke-that-caused-a-stroke-82f8c8136d

Part 5 of this series — https://medium.com/@bizjitsu/a-stroke-from-carotid-artery-dissection-from-jiu-jitsu-32db9bcf1b47

Part 3 of this series — https://medium.com/@bizjitsu/another-stroke-from-bjj-part-iii-another-story-b6916f2890d3

Part 2 of this series — https://medium.com/@bizjitsu/my-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-stroke-part-ii-what-you-need-to-know-about-dangerous-practices-fae9fa136f5b

Part 1 of this series — https://medium.com/@bizjitsu/my-stroke-my-story-ff01f4924d68