Mark McEwen's Amazing Return to "The Early Show"

(CBS)  Mark McEwen is a survivor, who has beat all odds and has now returned to his true passion -- reporting.

In his first nationally televised weather forecast since recovering from a near-fatal and debilitating stroke, McEwen served as a substitute weatherman on "The Early Show on Saturday Morning" on Sept. 11.

The one-time weatherman and features reporter for "The Early Show" suffered a massive stroke while returning home from a trip on Nov. 15, 2005. For the next four days, McEwen was near death as the blood clot that caused the stroke blocked oxygen from his brain.

McEwen recovered, but had to start over. While he struggled to regain the use of his right hand, he was initially confined to a wheelchair, and then a walker. Most devastating of all was the stroke's impact on his voice and speech.

McEwen worked for CBS from 1987 through 2002 and contributed to a number of CBS News broadcasts, including "Sunday Morning," "48 Hours" and "The Early Show."

During his tenure at "The Early Show," he served as weatherman, anchor and entertainment reporter. He has interviewed former presidents, including Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush and Gerald Ford.

In addition, he has conducted high-profile interviews with Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Sidney Poitier, Madonna and many others. McEwen has covered major events, including the Oscars, Cannes Film Festival, Golden Globes and Grammy Awards; he's also contributed to CBS's coverage of the Winter Olympics. McEwen was named one of the country's "Ten Most Trusted TV News Personalities" in a TV Guide survey.

In 2004, McEwen became a news anchor at WKMG-TV, the CBS affiliate in Orlando, Fla., where he was working when he suffered the stroke. The station kept his position open. McEwen returned to work, and he chronicled his ordeal in a book entitled, "After the Stroke: My Journey Back to Life."

In addition to reporting the weather, McEwen sat down with "The Early Show on Saturday Morning" co-anchors Chris Wragge and Erica Hill on for a candid interview on his journey back from the stroke, and his new life.

To see Mark's first report, click on the video below:



"Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith, a close friend of Mark's, went to see him early in his recovery. This report originally aired Sept. 11, 2006. To see it, click on the video below. Then -- keep watching -- to see "Early Show on Saturday Morning" co-anchors Chris Wragge and Rebecca Jarvis interview Mark -- and a special guest who joined them:

[judysrun]

Mr. McEewen,

I'm Bob Zebrowski, I started Judy's Run for Stroke Awareness (www.judysrun.com) in 2008 to raise Stroke Awareness. As you know, only 2% of people having strokes recognize the symptoms, and out of the 750,000 strokes that occur each year that 2% is way beyond acceptable.

Judy's Run for Awareness, a 501(C)(3) organization is a 5K run which is held every May, (Stroke month) and this year we raised $7,200 for Stroke Awareness. We presented a $3,000 check to the Stroke Program at Stony Brook University Medical Center, and the remainder of the donations will be distributed to the eight other Stroke Centers on Long Island. Stony Brook University Medical Center has been one of our sponsors from day one and I'm extremely proud to have them support Judy's Run for Awareness for this great cause.

2011 will be a exciting year with the 4th annual Judy's Run for Stroke Awareness coming up on May 22nd, and we are planning a Tasting and Giving event in September at Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead to raise the level of Stroke Awareness in the community. I firmly believe that we can reduce the number of Stroke incidents by continuing to educate the community and media about Stroke Awareness and Prevention, and someday we may be able to say: "We are bringing the of stroke incidents through education".

I applaud you for your recovery from a Stroke, and I thank you for your help on Stroke Awareness and Prevention.

My wife of 43 years, Judy suffered a Stroke on November 17, 2005. Judy is my soul and inspiration for all that I do for Stroke Awareness, and continues to make strides everyday. In my Stroke presentations, I quote "When life deals you lemons, you make lemonade!", I've made alot of lemonade!

Mark, please consider the work JRSA is doing and support this great cause.

I thank you for taking the time to read this email about Stroke Awareness, and I would gladly speak to further about how we can continue to raise Stroke Awareness for this great cause. I can also be reached on my cell anytime at 631.255.2516.

Thank you,

Regards,

Bob Zebrowski

Promoting Stroke Awareness and Prevention
www.judysrun.com
tisit

[valsctt]

Dear Mark,
God must have something very special for you and your life. Ten years ago, I suffered a severe left brain stroke and my life changed forever. Yours will too. And with every challenge you face, may God bless you and sustain you. I am so proud of your effort and am thankful that you have gotten back to where your career had taken you originally. You are such a blessing to others and this will give you additional opportunity to enlighten people about stroke and give them hope. God bless.
Donald & Valerie Scott

[sunshinesam]

It was a wonderful surprise when I tuned into the Saturday Early Show this morning and saw Mark McEwen. Congratulations, Mark!!! You are living proof that miracles do still happen. You made it happen with
family support and your hard work and determination. You have to be an inspiration to many. I hope to see you back on TV in New York and elsewhere frequently. Keep up the good work!!!

Ann in WV

[Janel733]

What joy to see Mark this morning! Thank you CBS for bringing back a national treasure. Looking forward to tuning in again to see a recognised face and hear that infectious laugh!

[mstark4972]

What a wonderful surprise to see Mark this morning. I had tears in my eyes listening to his story and also Harry was emotional as well. You could tell they missed each other. Welcome back Mark !!!! I look forward to watching you again.

[johnsonpandl]

I got a call from a friend about this segment. We missed it and very much want to see it. Is there anyway to get the video clip on line? My husband recently had a devastating stroke and I think this would be inspiring to him to see how far Mark has come since his stroke. He is also learning to speak again. Please let me know if there is any way I can get this video. Thanks. Lisa from St Louis

[whynotminot]

It was SO GREAT to see you this morning, Mark ! ! You are a person to be admired, as well as loved. Hope to see you again soon ! Onie in ND {:-D

[chris1of7]

Welcome back Mark. I have always enjoyed watching you on the early show. You are such a joy! You are always smiling, and kind to everyone. You were my inspiration with your amazing weight loss. Seeing you today and your recovery, Your are my Hero! I thank God to have been blessd to see you back again.
Christine from Spokane, Washington

[Tamisu]

It is like hearing from a long lost friend...Thanks for coming back Mark!!!

[CMGDRG]

Welcome Back Mark!! It was so nice to see CBS this morning. I have often wondered what happened with you. In 2005, I had heard that you had a stroke. I think sometime in 2006, a show was on about you and your determination to make it back. You have WON!!. It is so nice to see you back and Harry there to congratulate you on your first day back... You must have a real good supportive family behind you. Congratulations!! Hope to see a lot of you on CBS!! CMGDRG in NH.