Most people don't consider themselves a candidate for a stroke when they are in their 20s, but that was exactly what happened to Cheryl Beatty. 

Beatty was just starting a promising teaching career in 1994 when she suffered a massive stroke and after three weeks in intensive care, she was literally back at square one.

“I couldn’t talk. I couldn't read. I couldn’t write. I couldn't walk, I couldn't think I couldn't do anything. I had to literally start all over again,” said Beatty.

Beatty tells the story of her struggle to regain her life in her book, “The First Day of Class: Learning to be yourself again after a stroke”.

She co-authored the book with Carol Miyagawa.

“I think I have just learned a lot about what it's like to not be your normal self and to struggle to be your normal self again,” said Miyagawa.

Beatty's love for the classroom and for kids never left her so after she learned to read and write again, she began volunteering at the Alex Ferguson School in southwest Calgary.

To see Beatty interact with grade one and two students at the school, it's hard to believe that at the age of 28 she lost her ability to do anything.

For the past 14 years she has worked with grade one and two students who need a little extra help, like Luke Mulla and his four brothers and sisters

“She really helped my kids progress with their reading and they've also developed a love for reading thanks to Cheryl. She gets really involved with them. She's great,” said parent, Dianna Mulla.

When Hildegard Bensler came to the school to be principal, she was unaware of Cheryl's story

“I just found it remarkable that every day, come rain, shine anything, snow and when it was minus 28 she was there in her winter clothing early at school, preparing for her day here and at the door  before the bell,” said Bensler.

For the way she fought back from her stroke and now uses her experience for children who need help with their reading, Cheryl Beatty is our inspiring Albertan this week.

Beatty will be doing an author signing at Coles in Market Mall this Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.

For more information and to purchase the book, “First Day of Class”, visit the C & C Publishing website.