Dan Zimmerman takes a break from cycling to pose for the camera.

MARIETTA — From fighting a stroke to spinning spokes, Dan Zimmerman has become an inspiration to many, encouraging stroke victims to continue fighting to take back the life they once had.

Today, he will speak to the Marietta community at Selby General Hospital about how he turned to tricycling as a way to recover from his stroke.

“We’re excited to have him here speaking to our stroke support group,” said Dr. Richard Hoyt, medical director of Selby Hospital Inpatient Rehabilitation. “They are all looking for inspiration and for someone who has been there and has seen success and found ways to overcome a medical condition, such as a stroke, which has affected their lives.”

The talk will be at 5:30 p.m. today in the Selby General Hospital conference room and is open to the public. Zimmerman will be stopping in Marietta on his way home from his second nationwide tour — “Sea to Sea Tour” — that concluded in Boston to encourage residents and family members who are recovering from strokes for National Rehabilitation Week.

“A stroke is a very devastating event that happens to a patient that affects not only them, but their families as well,” said Vickie Johnson, Selby General Hospital director of Inpatient Rehabilitation. “So having this gentlemen come and speak to us will be a wonderful opportunity for those in our community who struggle with this to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel – there is hope.”

Zimmerman, of Tempe, Ariz., has been getting involved with clinics that cater to those recovering from strokes and has been speaking out about his own story.

“He is going to tell his story about living after having a stroke and persevering through tricycling,” said Darlene Davis, Selby General Hospital Stroke Support Group facilitator. “He also founded Spokes Fighting Strokes and has been riding from coast to coast since 2014.”

In 2005, at 41-years-old, Zimmerman suffered from a stroke that paralyzed his right arm and leg and damaged the left side of his brain. While in the hospital, the doctor said he would never walk or talk again.

Through cycling, Zimmerman has bettered his health and that has inspired him to help others in the same way.

“Dan’s a great candidate to speak on this topic,” said Hoyt. “He’s lived it and he’s shown success through it and exemplifies what we do to restore hope in people.”

Davis said they’ve received 30 reservations and noted they are sure to have a good crowd and hope that even more decide to come hear Zimmerman speak.

Davis said they have a stroke support group that always accepts new members. Interested individuals can contact Davis at 740-374-1463.

“If there’s anybody in the public that’s interested in joining the stroke support group, it’s open to everyone,” she said.

Selby General Hospital has a 10-bed inpatient rehabilitation center that moved to the campus last October. The center specializes in patients that need rehabilitation and it’s a wide variety of diagnosis to include strokes. They believe the talk is important to not only encourage those who have suffered from strokes, but also to inform the public about what happens.

“It’s to raise awareness about strokes as well as a life after a stroke,” said Johnson. “And that’s what he (Zimmerman) exemplifies.”