Legendary Comedian Sinbad Makes First Appearance After Stroke: “Miracles Happen”

Fans from all over at smiling since seeing Sinbad, one of the greatest comedians, speak after suffering a horrible stroke just a couple of years ago. The comedian and actor made a virtual appearance at the A Different World HBCU College Tour event on Feb. 29 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, to join his fellow castmates from the beloved sitcom to raise money for HBCU scholarships and encourage enrollment. (He played Coach Walter Oakes on the sitcom, which aired for six seasons from 1987 to 1993.)

“Man, that was so cool. A Different World going to Atlanta, going to Morehouse College and on campuses and getting a chance to be on Zoom and say something to the kids,” Sinbad said in an Instagram video he shared on Monday. “It’s wild that the kids even know who I am. That’s beautiful.”

The video featured him marveling at a clip of his appearance, which captured very loud cheers from the audience when he appeared on screen at the event. “Thank you to everybody who’s been praying for me and saying good things and supporting me during this time in my life. It means a lot to me,” he shared.

Sinbad finished his message by promising fans they’ll be seeing more of him. “Expect to see more of me soon,” he said, adding, “You better believe it. Miracles happen.”

It was back in 2020 that Sinbad’s family created a site where you can keep up to date with his progress and also provide an avenue for those who wish to give.“

“On October 25, 2020, Sinbad suffered an ischemic stroke as a result of a blood clot that traveled from his heart to his brain,” the website begins. “He was rushed into surgery at West Hills Medical Center that night where the doctor’s performed a thrombectomy to remove the clot and restore normal blood flow to the brain. After surgery, Sinbad was talking and moving with some weakness, but the prognosis was very promising. The next day, however, another blood clot formed, half the size of the first. He underwent the same surgery again successfully but it took a little more from him than the first surgery. He was transferred to Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where the doctors indicated that his brain had begun to swell. They performed a craniotomy to relieve the pressure and reduce the swelling. During surgery, however, the doctors discovered a bleed. It was hours before the family learned Sinbad had returned to the Neuro-ICU in a medically induced coma and placed on a ventilator. Our hearts were devastated. The road to recovery became unclear and extremely difficult for the family to navigate.

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It would be weeks before he would open his eyes, speak, or show signs of basic mobility. It wasn’t long before we realized he couldn’t move his left side or simply hold his head up. The more time passed the more the family learned how much had been lost.

An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die in minutes.

A stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can reduce brain damage and other complications.

“For the next several months, Sinbad moved through acute care facilities where he was weaned off the ventilator and eventually cleared to start intense therapy. In May of 2021, he was admitted to California Rehabilitation Institute and began physical, occupational, and speech therapy. It was there Sinbad started to make considerable progress toward recovery.”

“On July 7, 2021, nearly nine months after the initial stroke, Sinbad finally came home. He continues to receive therapy, fighting for every inch. His progress is nothing short of remarkable. Limbs that were said to be “dead” are coming alive and he’s taking the steps necessary to learn to walk again. In his own words, ‘I am not done. I will not stop fighting until I can walk across the stage again.’ And neither will we.”

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“Survival odds from this type of event are approximately 30%. Sinbad has already beaten the odds and has made significant progress beyond what anyone expected, but there are still miles to go.”

If someone you know may be having a stroke, pay particular attention to the time the symptoms began. Some treatment options are most effective when given soon after a stroke begins.

Signs and symptoms of stroke like Sinbad’s include:

• Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying. You may experience confusion, slur words or have difficulty understanding speech.
• Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg. You may develop sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg. This often affects just one side of the body. Try to raise both your arms over your head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, you may be having a stroke. Also, one side of your mouth may droop when you try to smile.
• Problems seeing in one or both eyes. You may suddenly have blurred or blackened vision in one or both eyes, or you may see double.
• Headache. A sudden, severe headache, which may be accompanied by vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness, may indicate that you’re having a stroke.
• Trouble walking. You may stumble or lose your balance. You may also have sudden dizziness or a loss of coordination.