Eleven years ago, Joe Ganey, a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Vienna, suffered a major stroke. Early on, his doctors predicted he would never walk again. He had difficulty speaking and telling time. At one point, former Arlington Bishop John R. Keating gave Ganey the anointing of the sick.

But God had a plan for him.

"The good Lord gave me a second lease on life," Ganey said. Now he walks, talks and uses his rediscovered abilities to serve the Lord. Since his stroke, he feels especially called to minister to other stroke victims.

"A stroke is devastating," he said. "The brain is magnificent. No one but God could create such a wonderful thing."

While Ganey’s recovery process was slow, he said he was supported by prayers. After the rehabilitation period, doctors suggest that patients keep busy. Ganey’s wife suggested he look into ministering to the sick through their parish. Ganey hesitantly called and ended up visiting Iliff Nursing Home in Dunn Loring.

When he walked into the nursing home, he was sure God had called him there — to minister to the sick. Ten years later, he’s still volunteering.

Ganey also became a minister of the Eucharist so he could also visit the sick and home bound. As his ministry began to take off, he started to be assigned to stroke patients.

"We have so much in common," he said. "We understand each other."

Along with being able to relate well with the patient, Ganey informs the family what to expect, since they suffer along with the loved one.

When he ministers, Ganey engages the patient and family in conversation. His goal is to make everyone feel comfortable. He tells his story, offers insight onto how to deal with recovery and listens to their concerns. It’s never a quick visit, he said, adding that on average, his stays last 45 minutes.

"I really get to appreciate how lucky I’ve been," he said.

Ganey recalled one of his visits to a stroke victim who still could not walk. He watched the gentleman come down the stairs in a sitting position, one step at a time.

"That could have been me," Ganey said. Working with the sick has helped Ganey put everything into perspective.

"Life is a journey, and God has a plan for that journey," he said. "I want to be of service to these people."

The Oblate priests from Our Lady of Good Counsel also minister to the sick. Ganey accompanies them when they provide the sacraments at the nursing home. The priests are the "unsung heroes," he said.

Kathy White, director of ministry of the sick and homebound for the parish, has been working with Ganey for more than three years.

"He’s so upbeat and gives people real hope and encouragement," she said.

White coordinates about 40 volunteers in this active parish ministry. When people aren’t able to come to Mass, they begin to feel disassociated from the Church. The job of a minister of the sick is to reconnect them. They bring them Jesus in the Eucharist as well as a sense of community and belonging.

"They volunteer to live Jesus with them," she said.

Along with his ministry to stroke victims, Ganey also makes special trips to the nursing home on Easter and Christmas, when many others are busy with family, said White.

"He has a real passion for the sick," she said. Ganey also drives people to church when needed. Even though it’s difficult to help people in wheelchairs in and out of cars, Ganey makes the effort.

"Everyone is important to Joe," White said.

Ganey hopes that people can become more aware of some of the warning signs for stroke. These include paralysis and double or blurred vision. He would also like to extend his ministry to any victims of stroke or brain injury in the area. For more information call him at 703/620-2001.