Strokestra: A Musical Celebration comes to Dr. Phillips Center

Welcome back. There's an inspiring show at the Dr. Phillips Center that's happening tomorrow night. So it is called Stroke-Astra, and it features stroke survivors, their caregivers, and also many of our professional musicians. Fox 35's Amanda McKenzie is live this morning in such a beautiful space to talk to our friend Evan Staton, his mom Athena, and so many people who are part of this show. Hi, Amanda. Good morning. It's just been a wonderful time for us getting to know Evan and Athena over here. Evan is part of Stroke Astra, and it's really going to bring a lot of people who are recovering from a stroke or their caregivers an opportunity to play a variety of musical instruments. And that performance is happening tomorrow night at six o'clock. Tickets are free and tickets are still available. But we want to introduce you right now to Evan and Athena. And Evan, I mean, you're so happy to be here. You were just saying how much you're Looking forward to performing because what does it mean for you to be able to do this? Fun. Fun. Fun. Fun, finally. It's finally something fun because stroke recovery is a lot of work, it's a lot of doctor's appointments, physical, occupational speech therapy appointments, so this is fun. What has the recovery been like for you? Because you were once a Division I athlete known for water polo. And then you had, as we were talking about, an experience with testicular cancer. And then there were some awful side effects from a medication that resulted in you having a stroke, changing your life forever. I am still processing it. That's a lot. Yeah, he's still processing it, you know, recovery is, it's constant, so when you go from elite level athlete, strong swimmer, strong water polo player, to not being able to walk, having a visual deficit and a speech disorder, you know, that's a lot to process, he's hitting soon this... This December, late December will be four years and stroke recovery is slow, but it's progress. So Evan is processing it, but programs like Stroke Astra make it that much easier because it's one time out of the year where he says, it's my favorite time of year, almost like Christmas, because there's no judgment. There's no, you know, assessments. It's really just fun, creative connection. Is that what you would agree? Yeah. And while it's difficult for him to speak, Evan, you're all there with us inside and you talk about how you text a lot to communicate. It's really just affected you physically, but not mentally. Which is wonderful to hear because you get to really learn things while you're, you know, learning along everyone else how to play the piano. And we already We already heard you playing, it sounded beautiful. And, you know, you've even been able to reconnect, I understand, with a girl from high school. Yeah, oh, yeah. Irina. Irina Zork is his fiancée. Irina is one of those rare individuals that truly sees inside a person and does not see their disability. She sees Evan. She says, that is still the goofy boy from high school that I always knew. And it's true. Evan's cognition is completely intact. His memory is completely intact. He has some physical disabilities, but it doesn't stop him from banking Banging out a tune on the piano or twirling some drumsticks around, which you'll see tonight at the performance, I'm sure. And speaking of those physical abilities, he has come such a long way. I mean, it started out with being almost entirely paralyzed on his left side. Truly entirely paralyzed. But now we do have movement and progress, which is amazing. He can move his leg, your arm. We haven't quite gotten to fingers, but it's a constant battle and a constant, Thank you. yeah, it's just a constant effort. But that's what makes it all more incredible, because you're playing the piano with one hand. That is very hard. I cannot imagine. And it's playing so beautifully as you already have. So a lot of folks would really come out to Stroke, because it has really become a celebration for all of the people who have their abilities and expectations given these challenges that they faced. That's truly well said, perfectly said. And it's grown because this organization started with just nine participants, now it's more than 50. And in this beautiful, magnificent hall, Steinmetz Hall, world-class. So these survivors are able to perform in this world-class environment. It is really a remarkable experience for them. Yes. And it's grown in popularity because you were in a different hall last year, now you're in the Steinmetz Hall. Yes. So this is something else to be celebrated. They started at Judson's, moved to the Pew, and now here we are. I mean, look out, Walt Disney Theater. Before we go to break, let's have Evan take it away on the piano. Let's get a little taste of what people will be able to here at the orchestr is Strut. Wonderful. Thank you, Evan. Tonight's going to be quite a show. No, tomorrow night. Tomorrow night is going to be quite a show. So.