Strokes, as I've learned sadly, can strike anyone at anytime.
My dad's first wife was killed by a stroke - and she was only 37.
Decades later Dad suffered a stroke. It didn't kill him but left him debilitated. This might sound harsh to some BAers, but my two brothers and I agreed that it would have been merciful had the stroke killed Dad. It would have spared him - and family - much suffering.
Next month I'm flying west to visit friends, including a fellow high school alum whose hubby suffered a stroke that has led to his needing 24/7 care. He lingers.
My mom had her first stroke at 51 years of age which was minor compared to some although it made her retire at a much earlier age than she had hoped. Over the next 20 years she had multiple strokes that varied in severity but left her a shell of her former self. Her final stroke came the Friday after 9/11 and it ended up killing her. As for your statement above it may be harsh but it's reality. My brother, sister and I agreed that it was a good thing she didn't survive the last one because it would have been a huge burden on my Dad. The most glaring memory of that night was driving home past the still smoldering Pentagon at 4am. It definitely put my loss in perspective.
Medicine has made huge strides in the treatment for strokes in the last few years so hopefully for the Phillips family he's able to respond and regain much of his former self.