Billy Diamond is recovering in a Montreal hospital after suffering a stroke April 23.
The former Grand Chief was discovered lying on the floor of his hotel room in Rouyn Noranda where he had collapsed shortly after waking at 6am with a severe cramp in his leg. Although fully conscious, he was not able to move and waited for four hours until he was found by Maya Riel Lachapelle.
Expected at a Niskamoon Board meeting, the other board members started to worry when he didn’t show up by 9:30am.
The hospital at Rouyn-Noranda determined that Diamond had suffered a stroke which gave him partial paralysis on the left side of his body. After three days, Diamond was flown to the Montreal Neurological Institute where he underwent surgery due to a swelling of the brain.
Diamond’s wife, Elizabeth, says he is recovering nicely and hasn’t lost his sense of humour. He is already talking about his many professional commitments, she said.
Although Diamond is currently experiencing partial paralysis, his wife says the family is hopeful of a full recovery. The family would also like to thank all the well-wishers who thought of Diamond and prayed for him.
