February 2023 Travis Durepo

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a 2006 Graduate of Husson College with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Business Administration, a 2009 Graduate of Husson University with a Master’s of Science in Human Relations, and a 2012 Gradate of Husson University with a Master’s of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. I had a career as a finance manager of several new auto dealerships in central Aroostook County in northern Maine, before becoming dealer principle of a Mitsubishi dealership in Caribou, Maine in June of 2006.  

On August 13th of 2006, the morning after my brother’s wedding, I woke up with a horrible headache. A hangover I thought, but this one was different. The headache felt like a drill going through my skull, then I heard a “pop,” then felt numbness. I touched my left hand to the left side of my face. It didn’t feel like my hand touching my face. At one time I was an EMT, so I quickly got myself to a mirror where I noticed that my face was drooping, and left side paralysis was setting in. 

I quickly asked my then girlfriend to call an ambulance because I was having a stroke. She disagreed and argued with me, insisting that I was not having a stroke and that she would be made fun of by others for falsely calling an ambulance. My father was one of the first EMTs to arrive and for obvious reasons was of little help. As I was quickly rushed off to Cary Medical Center, I told my then girlfriend to call my business partners in the dealership to let them know I wouldn’t be in Monday, but likely I’d be back by Wednesday.

I was flown to EMMC after an evaluation, and I was diagnosed with a ruptured AVM (arteriovenous malformation). I was hospitalized for 89 days, and I had several brain surgeries, including a “bone flap” and a “brain resection.” Physical and occupational therapy were initiated three times per week for the next 3+ years during that time I went back to college to get a graduate degree and also work part time at the dealership taking up much of my time and helped side in my recovery.  

16 years later, I am unable to use my left arm and leg for the most part, although I am able to walk.  I work as a clinical mental health counselor now, in a small private practice in Caribou where I have practiced psychotherapy, counseling, diagnosis, and treatment with my wife Stacey, also a psychotherapist, since 2012.