Medical Minute: World Stroke Day Highlights Awareness And Recovery Therapies For Survivors

Tuesday marks World Stroke Day, raising awareness about the symptoms of stroke and showing support for survivors.

Nearly six months ago, 79-year-old Walter Neff experienced a stroke that significantly affected his right side, leaving him unable to speak clearly or sit up.

Since then, he has undergone intensive speech, occupational, and physical therapy at Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, New York.

"This place has helped me tremendously. When I came here, I could barely talk," Neff said. His wife, Nancy, added, “He couldn’t sit up.”

Neff’s therapy regimen includes practicing essential daily tasks like climbing stairs and getting in and out of the car.

“It actually requires a lot of coordination. He’s got to practice where to put his foot or hands and gently lower himself into the chair,” explained Aaron Frazier, Neff’s physical therapist at Phelps Hospital.

The progress means a lot to the Neff family. “Once Walter could start getting in and out of the car, then I can drive him,” said Nancy. “We can go out to eat, we can take a ride.”

The hospital’s balance-training machine has also been vital to Neff’s recovery, providing support without heavy reliance on the therapist. “That helps to promote some independence,” Frazier said. “It helps him learn to shift his weight onto his affected side.”

Neff noted how far he has come, though the journey is ongoing. “With the two therapies and speech, I’ve come a long way, but not back to normal. And I probably won’t be,” he said. “A year from now, I hope to be recovered as much as I’m going to.”

As World Stroke Day encourages awareness, Neff’s story is a testament to the impact of targeted therapies on a survivor’s quality of life.