On the long road to recovery by Jim Totten

A tall, lean muscular man, Doug Gillis appears to be the example of perfect health.

He's a talented athlete and pitcher who throws an 80 mph softball. He's played on five Team USA softball teams — the U.S. national team — and still plays fast-pitch softball with the Midland Explorers.

Gillis also owns Gillis Softball Academy, a successful business in Wixom where he's comfortable talking before large groups of youth and giving them pointers about the sport he loves.

Besides an irregular heartbeat, the 42-year-old Brighton Township man never gave much thought to health issues, and didn't think he ever would until June 24, 2006.

On that day, Gillis, 41 at the time, suffered a stroke that left his right side paralyzed and took away his ability to talk.Next.........