When Wayne woke up that morning, it felt like any other day at home.
He had lived with neuropathy for years, so when his hands felt numb, he wasn’t concerned. He started working on his nephew’s go-kart when suddenly, he fell out of his chair. Wayne was having a stroke.
Stroke symptoms can appear suddenly and may include numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision problems, dizziness or loss of balance. Recognizing these signs quickly and calling 911 immediately can make a life-changing difference.
In stroke care, time is everything. There is a critical “treatment window” when clot-busting medication or specialized procedures can significantly reduce brain damage. Wayne missed that window, limiting his immediate treatment options and placing his recovery squarely in the hands of rehabilitation.
After his hospitalization, his primary care physician referred him to TriStar Summit Medical Center for inpatient rehab–a turning point, Wayne says.
At first, even standing felt overwhelming. Walking seemed impossible. The man who had been the primary caregiver for his 91 - and 87 - year old parents now needed help himself.
“That was my job,” Wayne said. “I took care of them. And suddenly, I couldn’t do that anymore.”
The emotional weight was as heavy as the physical challenges. But early on, Wayne decided — he was going to work.
And work he did.
For weeks, Wayne committed fully to therapy–rebuilding strength and balance through physical therapy and relearning daily tasks through occupational therapy. Progress was gradual. Some days were frustrating. Others brought milestones: standing longer, taking steps, walking farther.
“Aubrey said I’m an extremely hard worker,” Wayne shared with a smile, referring to his primary therapist. “She told me I put in the work to get where I got.”
Slowly, his strength returned.
Today, Wayne says he feels stronger than ever — physically and mentally. He continues outpatient therapy at TriStar Summit, focused on becoming a better version of himself before the stoke.
“I look forward to coming here,” he said, referring to the therapists that he gets to interact with on his healing journey. “They enjoy their jobs. They always have a smile on their face.”
Wayne is quick to note that recovery is a partnership of dedicated clinicians and a determined patient working together.
“If you can get into inpatient rehab, go — it helps,” Wayne said. “It really helps.”
His stroke was a wake-up call. After years of unmanaged high blood pressure, he now monitors it closely and follows his care plan carefully, determined to prevent another stroke.
He wants others to understand the importance of stroke prevention and early recognition. That includes learning the warning signs of stroke using the BE FAST acronym, establishing care with a primary care provider, staying consistent with routine checkups, knowing your numbers and making your health a priority before it’s too late.
Recovery has given him a new perspective. He understands how fragile independence can be, and how powerful hard work and the right support system can be.
Wayne’s goal is simple: to keep getting stronger and to return to caring for the people who mean the most to him.