After suffering two strokes in early 2023, Everett Lacy temporarily lost his ability to speak and write, but never his ability to connect with people. As he worked to regain important skills, Lacy’s warmth and unwavering positivity guided his recovery, supported by ChristianaCare’s rehabilitation therapists, whom he affectionately calls “the Bridgets.”
“They never gave up on me, so I never gave up on them,” Lacy said. “I tell them, ‘I really love you guys.'”
Speech therapist Bridget DiMaio helped Lacy regain his speech and communication skills. Occupational therapist Bridget Callahan helped Lacy improve his fine motor skills, including cutting his food, writing and typing on the computer. Both caregivers marveled at how Lacy makes them feel special simply for doing their jobs.
“This is no exaggeration – every time he comes to therapy, he has a smile on his face, he hugs everyone and says ‘thank you,'” DiMaio said.
How it all began
One morning in January 2023, Lacy woke up on the floor, disoriented and frightened, with no feeling on the right side of his body. He was home alone. Somehow he made it to the window, where he flagged down a neighbor, who called an ambulance.
Within 30 minutes of arriving at Wilmington Hospital, ChristianaCare’s stroke team located the blood clot in Lacy’s brain that had caused his stroke and surgically removed it.
But the long time between Lacy’s stroke, which began overnight, and his treatment left him with permanent brain damage. A second stroke two months later affected Lacy’s ability to speak and severely limited his ability to express himself.
The Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Wilmington Hospital is internationally recognized and accredited as a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation facility (CARF).
“Everett suffered from aphasia, which is difficulty communicating verbally, which is something many stroke patients experience,” DiMaio said. “He also suffered from apraxia, which is difficulty making sounds and putting words together.”
At the beginning of his therapy, Lacy could only say single words, so he was given a speech device to help him communicate. Gradually, DiMaio’s therapy helped Lacy regain his speech.
“At first I couldn’t speak at all,” Lacy said. “I’ve come a long way.”
He can now hold conversations, which reflects his warm, friendly personality. He is known as “The Mayor” at ChristianaCare’s Rehabilitation Medicine Center at Wilmington Hospital, where Lacy received his outpatient therapy.
Lacy also needed occupational therapy to regain his fine motor skills. Callahan worked with him to regain the use of a pen, cutlery and a computer mouse.
How it works
To sharpen his real-world skills, the Bridgets took him to the nearby YMCA, where he applied for membership, and to a local restaurant, where he ordered a meal.
Lacy – an artist who uses found objects – is excited to be making art again. Callahan was keen to incorporate his art into his occupational therapy. He shows visitors to the rehabilitation unit photos of his beautifully crafted masks and paintings.
“Any time I can involve someone in their leisure activities, the sessions become more meaningful,” Callahan said.
“It made me so happy to see the joy on his face when I was able to give him a brush again.”
After making significant progress, Lacy talked to the Bridgets about his idea to build a better community among stroke survivors and their caregivers and to educate people about stroke.
A ray of hope
With Lacy as their inspiration, Callahan and DiMaio planned “Shine a Light on Stroke,” a 5K fundraising run/walk to be held in May at Glasgow Park in Newark, Delaware, along with educational opportunities for the community. “We came up with the name ‘Shine a Light’ because Everett is always a ray of light when we see him. He’s a wonderful, outgoing person,” DiMaio said.
“We have been educating people about the symptoms of a stroke because the sooner you get to the hospital, the sooner you can get treatment that may be able to relieve symptoms,” she said.
Community partners provided support and helped raise awareness of stroke. The Delaware Department of Health and Human Services offered blood pressure screenings and the University of Delaware Stroke Study Team shared information about its research.
More than 400 people participated in the first 5K, including Lacy and other stroke survivors. A beaming Lacy crossed the finish line while holding the hands of the Bridgets, who raised their arms in the air and cheered to celebrate his success. The event raised nearly $41,000 for Wilmington Hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation program.
At the end of the race, Callahan organized a group photo of all the stroke survivors holding signs that read “BE FAST.” Her patients had helped paint the signs for the event to further support her efforts to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of stroke.
U.S. News & World Report has recognized ChristianaCare as a High-Performing Hospital for Stroke Care.
“Everett knew immediately what he wanted the money for,” Callahan said. “He was grateful for our services from day one.”
“Many stroke patients we work with cannot afford the costs associated with their recovery. The funds will help ease their financial burden.”
Giving back was important to Lacy, whose family has been a long-time employee at ChristianaCare. He, his mother, his grandmother and his sister have all worked at ChristianaCare throughout their careers.
Lacy is still receiving speech and occupational therapy from the Bridgets, who continue to help him with his recovery. He is grateful for everything Callahan and DiMaio have done for him.
“I feel like I’ve been given a second chance and I’m not going to waste it,” Lacy said.
