Valerie Greene

Biography

At age 31, Valerie Greene was a healthy, athletic and successful business owner until a massive stroke paralyzed the left side of her body and left her unable to speak. She was lucky to be alive. Doctors told her that she might never walk or talk again, and most of her hearing was lost. Sheer determination propelled her out of her wheelchair and into a new life learning once more how to walk and communicate.

Today Valerie is sought out as a national keynote speaker delivering a powerful story of courage, determination and success. Author of The Fire Within: A True Story of Triumph over Tragedy, and the soon to be released, Conquering Stroke: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too (Wiley; April 2008), Valerie has spoken before thousands of people throughout the United States.

Shows like Larry King Live have recognized her, and many celebrities and dignitaries including Michael J. Fox, Kirk Douglas, Lieutenant Governor of Florida, the Mayor of Orlando, and the CEO of The American Heart Association have applauded her ongoing crusade to educate others about stroke and their own inner strength. A captivating speaker with a great sense of humor, Valerie's message uplifts, inspires and motivates both individuals and organizations to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Recent Achievements:

Valerie has worked at the state and congressional level to support legislation that ensures that stroke victims will be properly accessed and transported to an appropriate stroke treatment facility. She was instrumental in helping to pass the Florida Stroke Act that that Governor Jeb Bush signed into law on June 17, 2004.

On January 11, 2004, Valerie walked 13.1 miles in the Walt Disney half marathon for The American Stroke Association and raised over $10,000 in donations. She was awarded the Fund Raising Excellence Award for being the top fund-raiser in the country for The Train To End Stroke 2004 marathon.

Valerie has made several TV appearances both locally and nationally on NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX affiliates to name a few. She has also been cited in multiple newspapers and magazines including Recipes for the Heart cookbook issued by The American Heart Association.She has been named a "Stroke Hero" by The American Stroke Association and is a national spokesperson for American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, and CIS Biotech Inc.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Internationally Recognized Stroke Survivor

Valerie Greene Offers the Wake-up Call Americans Need for Stroke Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery in Her New Book: Conquering Stroke

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and Valerie Greene, a two-time stroke survivor and a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association is speaking out nationally about America's stroke epidemic.

Winter Park, FL (April 2008) -- At 31 years-old, Valerie Greene was a healthy, vibrant businesswoman with no risk factors for stroke and yet in 1996, a massive stroke paralyzed the left side of her body and left her unable to speak. After being misdiagnosed with everything from migraines, to multiple sclerosis, to vertigo, to being drunk, it took six months and a second stroke for doctors to identify Valerie's shocking condition. A large blood clot completely occluded her brain stem artery and was just a hair away from taking her life. Doctors gave Valerie a grim prognosis---she might never walk and talk again, and most of her hearing would be permanently lost. Sheer determination propelled her out of her wheelchair and on to a 90% recovery.

Now an internationally recognized advocate for stroke awareness, Valerie shares her extraordinary journey and offers a must-have guide for stroke survivors and caregivers everywhere in her new book, CONQUERING STROKE: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too, which will be released by Wiley Publishing and hit book stores nationally on April 28, 2008.

"In less than 10 years, I went from running a successful business to having a near death experience, relearning how to walk and talk, losing my beloved grandmother and father, overcoming a long and fierce legal battle, to finding my purpose" said author Valerie Greene. "My fiery journey taught me many valuable lessons that would sustain and carry me forward throughout my life. My hope is that this book will inform and inspire stroke survivors, their family members and caregivers as well as forewarn potential stroke candidates everywhere," added Greene.

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Today, 6 million Americans are stroke survivors.

With its solid foundation of prescriptive advice on stroke symptoms, stroke rehabilitation and management of a stroke from world-renowned physicians in this field and the author's inspirational story, CONQUERING STROKE promises to be the wake up call America needs. Time lost is brain lost.

This new book will show anyone who is at risk for a stroke how to get the treatment they need when they need it. CONQUERING STROKE also includes a comprehensive guide to hospitals with renowned stroke centers and hyperbaric oxygen treatment centers, the latest on tPA, and blood tests to access your stroke risk (called the Gold Dot), and will inform those who have suffered a stroke how to recover by utilizing some of the best kept secrets.

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CONQUERING STROKE: How I Fought My Way Back and How You Can Too

By Valerie Greene

Wiley

Publication Date: April 2008

ISBN: 978-0-470-13792-5

Page Count - 272

$24.95 / Hardcover

For media interviews with Ms. Greene, please contact Jaime Cassavechia at Susan Blond, Inc. (212) 333-7728 ext. 108; JaimeC@susanblondinc.com