Pathways to Triumph is transforming how Baton Rouge approaches life after a stroke. The nonprofit, founded by Chad Brignac and inspired by his wife’s difficult recovery, focuses on what happens after the hospital. Brignac shared his story recently, explaining how their mission grew directly from personal adversity.
His wife suffered a massive stroke in 2019 while undergoing a CAT scan. Although she was already inside a medical facility, the response time still took nearly three hours from onset to treatment. That delay forced their family into a long and complicated recovery process—one that revealed major gaps in support for stroke survivors once they leave the hospital.
Nearly 800,000 families in the U.S. experience a stroke every year. A stroke occurs every 40 seconds, and it remains the number one cause of long-term disability. While emergency treatment has improved, long-term rebuilding remains a challenge. Pathways to Triumph focuses on that rebuilding phase, helping survivors and caregivers navigate a journey that can last years.
Brignac explained that recovery involves more than strength training. True neurorehabilitation relies on repetition, messaging, and two-way communication between the brain and limbs. Innovative therapies like neuro animation, constraint-induced therapy, and electro-muscular stimulation can help reestablish those pathways. His wife continues to see improvements six years later.
The nonprofit also supports caregivers, who often burn out while trying to manage daily life and the emotional weight of recovery. Pathways to Triumph provides guidance, transportation, financial help, and education for families navigating the overwhelming post-stroke phase.
The long-term vision is ambitious: a $100 million state-of-the-art residential facility in Baton Rouge, offering six-month rebuilding programs for survivors and their families. Brignac hopes to create a “St. Jude for stroke recovery,” giving families a place to heal, learn, and rebuild together.
Pathways to Triumph is actively seeking partnerships, donors, and community support to bring that vision to life. Learn more at pathwaystotrium.life.