Walk into Ray Streib’s Spring Valley apartment and you’ll see lots of pictures on a far wall. The pictures were taken mostly during Ray’s 35-year non-stop career as a guitarist, vocalist and comedian. He was in his prime at age 50 when his life changed dramatically.

Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ray was one of nine children including his twin sister Kari and younger twins Edward and Elizabeth. Ray was a smart kid–-earning all A’s in elementary and high school. He was a skilled baseball player, but he had circulation problems in his legs that scuttled a big-league career. So Ray chose to pursue his other great love, music.

As a youngster, Ray was given a toy ukulele. Amazingly, Ray could immediately start picking out tunes. Later he was given a guitar. As a musician, he actually learned to play some 16 different instruments. He was so good with the guitar, in fact, that he taught other students to play. “Don’t think I was perfect,” he says. “I was naughty, too, and also cut class sometimes.” For graduation, Ray was part of the entertainment. A day later he left for his first full-time job as a bass player, vocalist and comedian. He loved his job.

At age 27, when his role with the band had become typically a lead role, he was invited to attend one of singer Patti LaBelle’s rehearsals. Patti told Ray that he ought to form his own band and make money as the lead guy. He ultimately followed Patti’s advice and for most of the rest of his career had his own band.

Ray’s band had a number of names, the most permanent was Funnesse. In 25 years of having his own band, work was plentiful and Ray took only one vacation. He also married a gal named Debbie, who is still a friend, but who was divorced from Ray after 17 years. Ray worked the road all the way from Atlantic City to the Fargo Lounge in Moline, IL. (a favorite place because they “get me” comedy-wise) to Disney World. He was known for many things, one of which was “the king of comedy with hecklers.” In fact, he toured 49 states in his career and met celebrities like Huey Lewis, Rich Little, Steve Rossi, Pedro Guerrero, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Rebbie Jackson (Michael’s sister), George Benson, Lena Prima, David Brenner, Joe Negri, John Greco, Mickey Gilley, George Wallace and more. He was smoking three packs of cigarettes a day, working with a number of bands, and loving every minute.

Ray was in Las Vegas sleeping one night when he awoke and felt “funny.” He called his ex-wife, Debbie Streib, and said, “Can you help me. I think I am having a stroke.” She immediately drove to his apartment then took him to the nearest emergency room. “One mistake I had made,” said Ray, “was that I never had health insurance. Never thought I needed it. And I think that hurt when it came to doctors believing me that I thought I had had a stroke. The doctors first thought I had Bell’s Palsy. Not long after, I had a second stroke. Debbie said I nearly died several times and my family was told if I did survive, I would be a vegetable.”

But Ray did survive. He could barely speak, only make some sounds. He spent time in the hospital, time in rehab, time with friends and a year with family in Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. When he returned to Las Vegas he had made application for Section 8 affordable housing. His finances had been devastated. Three years after the application, he was able to move into his current apartment.

Fourteen years ago, Ray found a lady, Janice Aranas, who has consistently worked with Ray to bring his speech “almost” back to normal. He still works with Janice twice a week.

Ray also receives other help in the form of a Personal Care Assistant Home person who comes five times a week to help with housework and special projects. Ray adds, “We also talk a lot, too.”

With regard to personal transportation, Ray has a wheelchair scooter which he uses for shopping. He has the words “Crazy Ray” on the front and rear of the scooter. Ray’s transportation is kept in his apartment. Ray will touch the scooter and with a smile say “I love this wagon.”

With regard to his speech, Ray says he has aphasia/apraxia along with the strokes and his brain runs much faster than his words. He will struggle to find the right words. Sometimes he just goes to his cell phone and Google to find the right term. Otherwise, he says to friends, “Please don’t interrupt me until I say it’s OK.”

In the evenings, Ray may go to cheer other favorite entertainers such as Rita Lim and Kelly Clinton. He will take a bus or Lyft for disabled individuals and pay just $3 a ride. Friends will also often take him home from an evening out. When he does go out, Ray is introduced often.

Ray will also find time to add his humor to his Facebook page in the form of videos of himself today or videos from when he was an entertainer. He retains his sense of humor, no longer smokes and has advice for one and all. A couple of his insights:

*Laughter in life is the best medicine.
*Good friends help you find important things you have lost – your smile, your hope, your courage.
*Friends are priceless. I may not be able to do all the things I used to, but I am STILL HERE.
*So today and for all of my tomorrows I will not let strokes rule my life.
*I conquer because I have to.
*When something bad happens, you have three choices: you can either let it define you, let it destroy you or you can let it strengthen you. I choose to let it strengthen me.