Perseverance Continues for Chatham Man after Two Strokes
Working your way back to “normal” after a stroke is a journey – one that Chatham’s Jim Huffman is all too familiar with after having survived two strokes within a few weeks of each other in fall 2023. Thanks to the support of his family and Memorial Health physical, occupational and speech therapists, he continues to make slow and steady progress.
Prior to the two strokes, the 66-year-old single dad was busy with work and keeping up with seven children and six grandchildren. He drove kids to basketball and baseball practices plus games and choir concerts. If anyone was competing or performing, he was there cheering them on.
But in September 2023, he experienced a small stroke and went to Springfield Memorial Hospital for evaluation. That first stroke left Jim with minor speech issues, which were quickly addressed by the speech therapist, but the second stroke a couple weeks later was more severe. His son found him collapsed on the floor unable to move or walk, his left side compromised.
His inpatient rehabilitation through the Stroke Rehab Program included three to four sessions daily that included occupational, physical and speech therapies.
“They put me to work at the hospital,” Jim said. “I felt like that helped a lot. The therapists were all very encouraging. We worked on brushing teeth, moving my hand, standing and walking, transfers from bed to wheelchair and then wheelchair to a chair. They were helpful to push me and get me to do things I should be able to do.”
David Meyerhoff, PT, DPT, with inpatient therapy care was one of the first to work with Jim after the second stroke. He recalled Jim’s efforts to stay positive during physical therapy sessions.
“As a physical therapist, I primarily worked with Jim to improve his independence with standing, balance, transfers, and I was able to assist with him taking his first steps post-stroke,” he said. “While Jim had his moments of feeling down, as nearly everyone does while on our unit, it never kept him from putting his best foot forward. I vividly remember the smile on his face when he began to stand with less support, transfer without use of mechanical/lift equipment and take his first steps along a railing.”
Ally Williams, COTA/L, an inpatient occupational therapist, focused specifically on activities of daily living to improve Jim’s independence.
“Despite being severely impacted, he always kept his sense of humor and a permanent smile on his face on the good and the bad days,” she said. “As part of his occupational therapy, we worked on activities of daily living using ‘hemi-techniques’ to compensate for the lack of functional movement in Jim’s left arm to increase his independence.”
She also worked on neuro-recovery, attempting to help him regain movement in his left arm and improve what is considered “neglect” of the left side. She wanted him to recognize and attend to his whole world and not just the right side.
When Jim was discharged, Memorial Home Medical Supply installed a bed along with a sit-to-stand lift to ease his transition home.
He has continued outpatient rehabilitation at Memorial Therapy Center on Koke Mill. His continued progress enabled him to attend a basketball Senior Night at Calvary Academy for one of his sons.
While Jim’s goal is to regain full mobility, he isn’t putting important things on hold – like a family cruise this summer to the Bahamas.
“That’s definitely been a motivation,” he said of being able to go on a family vacation. “The kids are going to swim with the dolphins. One of the beaches is handicapped-accessible. Should be a lot of fun.”
And when he returns home, his rehabilitation work will continue.
If you believe someone is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately and go to the nearest emergency room.
Additional Resources
Why Strokes Can Happen at Any Age and What You Can Do About It
Stroke Patient Story: Nancy Bork