Homeschooling and using the Internet provided Richard Chambers with some general medical knowledge about strokes and recovery. But when the 17-year-old had a hemorrhagic stroke, he had no way of knowing just what it would take to get his life back on track.
The Hammond resident is now 25 years old and has graduated with a degree in journalism thanks to the help from the team at St. Catherine Hospital who walked him through the rehabilitation process.
“When I was admitted to the Rehabilitation Center of St. Catherine Hospital, I couldn’t walk – not even with the aid of a walker – I couldn’t talk or swallow or even use the bathroom by myself,” he says. “It took an entire team to help me: physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses, for three hours a day over several months – to relearn everyday tasks.”
Although most strokes occur in people 65 and older, they can – and do – happen at any age. Nearly 25 percent of stroke victims are younger than 65.
“Other local hospital systems would not accept Richard for rehab because of his age,” says Jeff Orange, program director of the Rehabilitation Center. “We felt like he had great potential and because of his age, we needed to give him a chance so we admitted him here. The rest is history. It makes me proud how hard our team works and what we can do to make a difference.”
Learn more about stroke and rehabilitative care at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System by clicking here.
