Ray Streib: “I Conquer As a result of I Have To”

Stroll into Ray Streib’s Spring Valley condo and also you’ll see plenty of photos on a far wall. The photographs have been taken largely throughout Ray’s 35-year continuous profession as a guitarist, vocalist and comic. He was in his prime at age 50 when his life modified dramatically.

Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ray was certainly one of 9 kids together with his twin sister Kari and youthful twins Edward and Elizabeth. Ray was a wise child–-earning all A’s in elementary and highschool. He was a talented baseball participant, however he had circulation issues in his legs that scuttled a big-league profession. So Ray selected to pursue his different nice love, music.

As a teenager, Ray was given a toy ukulele. Amazingly, Ray might instantly begin choosing out tunes. Later he was given a guitar. As a musician, he really realized to play some 16 completely different devices. He was so good with the guitar, actually, that he taught different college students to play. “Don’t assume I used to be good,” he says. “I used to be naughty, too, and in addition reduce class generally.” For commencement, Ray was a part of the leisure. A day later he left for his first full-time job as a bass participant, vocalist and comic. He cherished his job.

At age 27, when his position with the band had develop into sometimes a lead position, he was invited to attend certainly one of singer Patti LaBelle’s rehearsals. Patti informed Ray that he should type his personal band and generate income because the lead man. He finally adopted Patti’s recommendation and for many of the remainder of his profession had his personal band.

Ray’s band had numerous names, probably the most everlasting was Funnesse. In 25 years of getting his personal band, work was plentiful and Ray took just one trip. He additionally married a gal named Debbie, who continues to be a good friend, however who was divorced from Ray after 17 years. Ray labored the highway all the best way from Atlantic Metropolis to the Fargo Lounge in Moline, IL. (a favourite place as a result of they “get me” comedy-wise) to Disney World. He was recognized for a lot of issues, certainly one of which was “the king of comedy with hecklers.” In reality, he toured 49 states in his profession and met celebrities like Huey Lewis, Wealthy Little, Steve Rossi, Pedro Guerrero, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Rebbie Jackson (Michael’s sister), George Benson, Lena Prima, David Brenner, Joe Negri, John Greco, Mickey Gilley, George Wallace and extra. He was smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, working with numerous bands, and loving each minute.

Ray was in Las Vegas sleeping one evening when he awoke and felt “humorous.” He known as his ex-wife, Debbie Streib, and stated, “Are you able to assist me. I feel I’m having a stroke.” She instantly drove to his condo then took him to the closest emergency room. “One mistake I had made,” stated Ray, “was that I by no means had medical insurance. By no means thought I wanted it. And I feel that damage when it got here to medical doctors believing me that I believed I had had a stroke. The medical doctors first thought I had Bell’s Palsy. Not lengthy after, I had a second stroke. Debbie stated I practically died a number of instances and my household was informed if I did survive, I’d be a vegetable.”

However Ray did survive. He might barely communicate, solely make some sounds. He hung out within the hospital, time in rehab, time with associates and a 12 months with household in Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. When he returned to Las Vegas he had made software for Part 8 inexpensive housing. His funds had been devastated. Three years after the applying, he was in a position to transfer into his present condo.

Fourteen years in the past, Ray discovered a woman, Janice Aranas, who has constantly labored with Ray to deliver his speech “virtually” again to regular. He nonetheless works with Janice twice per week.

Ray additionally receives different assist in the type of a Private Care Assistant Dwelling one who comes 5 instances per week to assist with home tasks and particular tasks. Ray provides, “We additionally discuss quite a bit, too.”

With regard to private transportation, Ray has a wheelchair scooter which he makes use of for procuring. He has the phrases “Loopy Ray” on the entrance and rear of the scooter. Ray’s transportation is saved in his condo. Ray will contact the scooter and with a smile say “I like this wagon.”

With regard to his speech, Ray says he has aphasia/apraxia together with the strokes and his mind runs a lot quicker than his phrases. He’ll wrestle to seek out the best phrases. Generally he simply goes to his cellular phone and Google to seek out the best time period. In any other case, he says to associates, “Please don’t interrupt me till I say it’s OK.”

Within the evenings, Ray might go to cheer different favourite entertainers reminiscent of Rita Lim and Kelly Clinton. He’ll take a bus or Lyft for disabled people and pay simply $3 a trip. Buddies may even typically take him residence from a night out. When he does exit, Ray is launched typically.

Ray may even discover time so as to add his humor to his Fb web page within the type of movies of himself in the present day or movies from when he was an entertainer. He retains his humorousness, not smokes and has recommendation for every one. A few his insights:

*Laughter in life is the very best drugs.
*Good associates provide help to discover necessary issues you will have misplaced – your smile, your hope, your braveness.
*Buddies are priceless. I could not have the ability to do all of the issues I used to, however I’m STILL HERE.
*So in the present day and for all of my tomorrows I can’t let strokes rule my life.
*I conquer as a result of I’ve to.
*When one thing dangerous occurs, you will have three decisions: you’ll be able to both let it outline you, let it destroy you or you’ll be able to let it strengthen you. I select to let it strengthen me.