Story of Stroke Victim & True Love Goes Viral
John Allen, 82, pictured teaching partner Linda Alexander, 70, to read again after Miss Alexander suffered a stroke and severe memory. The Picture was posted online and has been viewed by over two million people. Matthew Ballestero, who took picture, said he was ‘overwhelmed’ by the couple’s love
The pictures tell the story of recovery, but more importantly, of love. Millions of viewers around the world found themselves touched when a picture appeared online showing a man teaching his elderly partner how to read again after suffering a stroke. The image was taken in a Starbucks, where 82-year-old John Allen takes his long-term partner Linda Alexander, 70, six days-a-week.
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True Love: The picture of John Allen, 82, teaching his partner Linda Alexander, 72, how to read after she suffered brain damage from a stroke that was posted on website Reddit. After falling ill five years ago, Miss Alexander suffered severe brain damage following a stroke, losing much of her memory. To aid her recovery, My Allen has taken it upon himself to teach his partner how to read again, using flashcards over their morning beverage. A picture of the couple, who have been together for 11 years, was taken by a fellow customer, who posted it on the internet saying he was ‘overwhelmed by the love the couple showed for each other’. Touchingly, Miss Alexander told an interviewer that for a long time after her illness the only words she could say were ‘I love you’.
She told NBC: ‘I’m still enjoying my life, you know? I’m not sad. I’m not angry.’
Mr Allen teaching his partner using flashcards was viewed by more than two million people online
Happy: A picture of the couple before Miss Alexander suffered a stroke
Good morning: Mr Allen goes to Miss Alexander”s house every morning where he picks her up and helps her get ready/ The right side of her body is till partially-paralysed
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