BERNADOTS John and Therese at 1999 WSU library dedication

About John Bernadot escaping the obit page

WINONA, Minn., April 16, 2001 -- The words from John Bernadot's mouth are hard to believe: "I'm almost kind of glad it happened." His "it" was a stroke that the humorist and folk musician suffered in January during his weekly radio show. The stroke nearly killed him, but John says it helped him realize and appreciate all the people his life and music have touched.

EXPANDED COVERAGE Reporter: Gina Overby

"Before the stroke, I knew I had a good wife and a good home, and I've raised good kids," he said. "I still have all of that, but now I've turned into a guy who died and came back. The things the stroke affected are now coming back day by day." Now John, his wife Therese, family and friends are coming together as Team Bernadot to be the honorary first walkers for the second annual Heart Walk sponsored by the American Heart Association, a three walk around Lake Winona. The Heart Walk helps raise money for research on heart disease and strokes. That work has helped save lives. "John underwent all sorts of cardiovascular tests, MRI's, scans, blood thinning treatments, you name it," said Therese. "Without today's technology and the advances in treating strokes, John would be in the obituary pages."

John isn't reading the obituaries or any other part of the newspaper for now. Despite his remarkable recovery, the stroke affected the language center in John's brain. "I can do lots of things, but I can't read books or newspapers," said John. "I've got to start all over." Starting over includes working on his music. John has been making music professionally for more than 37 years, but he's had to relearn many of the songs he's played for decades. "John had an awesome brain in the way it functioned before the stroke," said Therese. "He can play guitar, keyboard, drums. He's a true one-man band. Now he may not remember the words or recognize the name of a tune immediately. However, if I hum or sing a few bars of the melody, he can pick up a guitar and play the chords again. It's just going to take some more time." "I think of John's brain like a Rolodex He's memorized thousands of songs, words, names, and the people he's come in contact with over the years. Then part of the Rolodex was damaged, but he's working hard to regain it," said Therese.

A song has never been far from John's mouth since the stroke. He performed mini-concerts for his physicians at the hospital. He also performs occasionally with Therese at their church. At a March benefit dinner and dance held for John, he took part in a jam session with his former band members from 35 years ago. "I played the songs from 35 years ago better on that day than I had before," said John. However, Bernadot is waiting before he does a professional comeback performance. "He wants to be his best," said Therese.

John spends six hours each week in occupational and speech therapy. He and Therese also practice music at home, but John isn't hiding himself or his stroke from anyone. "When we first got back home, I was going to hide out," John said. "But when we talked to other people we learned people tend to hide their disabilities after they suffer a stroke and they become isolated. I want to encourage people to go out by going out myself." "His ability to show that side of himself shows he's not afraid," Therese said. "We would like to start a support group with others who have suffered strokes. It would be a chance for fellowship and for people not to feel isolated."

John will go back to the hospital within the next four weeks for two days of tests. Doctors will determine if they will replace the part of his skull removed during John's treatment. More therapy will follow, but so will more outpourings of help from friends who are organizing fundraisers for the Bernadots to help ease their medical expenses. "We're given all sorts of things that are challenges in our lives, and it's up to you to decide what you're going to do," John said. "Don't quit being a person."