
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A lot is being made of the stroke that Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate John Fetterman suffered. ; </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In addressing strokes, I can speak with some authority – having suffered a minor stroke a couple of years ago. ; That fact makes me wonder why Fetterman is not being more transparent with the public. ; It is obviously a more serious situation than he is telling voters. ; Two facts lead me to that conclusion &#8212; his length of hospitalization and home confinement &#8212; and his residual debilities.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By comparison, my stroke really was minor. ; A awoke one day with an unusual numbness in my left arm. ; I immediately knew it was a stroke. ; I called my daughter to drive me to the hospital even though I felt capable of driving – just was not sure if it would progress.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I had no cognitive issues (sorry to disappoint my critics), no motor issues, no speech issues – and even the numbness was strange. ; My left arm felt numb, but the skin sensitivity was normal to the touch.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Within less than 24 hours, I was released with no follow-up or therapy required. ; Back to my normal activities immediately – including tennis, bowling and jumping out of an airplane … oh, and writing and giving speeches. ; It was truly a “minor stroke.” ; ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Fetterman and his people have been using that term to describe his condition, but the results say otherwise.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The issue for Fetterman is whether he can fully perform the activities of a United States senator. ; For the most part, it appears he can. ; He gets around (but with a noticeable limp) and gives speeches. ; He occasionally stumbles over words – but so does President Biden. Hmmmm?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But he apparently has a serious problem comprehending spoken words. ; He needs Closed Captions when being asked questions. ; His campaign requested the use of the technology for the one debate – having cancelled an earlier debate. ; ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He used them during a recent interview with Dasha Burns of NBC. ; When that was reported as part of the interview &#8212; and Burns later said that Fetterman struggled at times – SHE was pounced upon by her partisan colleagues of the Fourth Estate. ; Burns apparently forgot that the new role of journalism was to conceal rather than reveal.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As a further defensive move, the Fetterman campaign insisted that the only debate be scheduled within days of Election Day – at a time when more than half the voters may have already cast early ballots. ; That does not suggest confidence in Fetterman’s ability to perform ad hoc.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Getting around and being able to speak is just half of a senator’s job – and the smaller half. ; A senator must comprehend the spoken words of others – on the floor, in committee meetings, private meetings, public forums, and among constituents.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of the effects of a stroke can be making words sound garbled – almost like a foreign language. ; Is that Fetterman’s problem? ; We do not know because he will not release his medical records or allow his doctors to speak to reporters. ; That raises legitimate suspicions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Fetterman defenders point to senators in wheelchairs, with hearing aids, or who have had strokes. ; None of that is relevant to Fetterman’s case. ; None of them have a comprehension issue. ; A senator with hearing loss can wear hearing aids. ; Fetterman’s problem is unique. ; It has to do with comprehension of verbal language – he will not have access to Close Captions except in rare situations.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not being transparent will have some negative impact on the Fetterman campaign, but he and his aides have decided that revealing his medical records would be more damaging – and that is what should concern the voters of Pennsylvania.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

Fetterman – There are strokes … and there are strokes
