Blessings Abound

Price Woodward is the first to admit that he doesn’t “do slow very well.” Together, he and his wife Tammy have three raised three daughters — and completed 14 marathons. In his 40s and early 50s, he was accustomed to running 45 miles a week in addition to spending time with family and managing a career in financial services. When, at 52 years old, he had a stroke that resulted in hemiplegia — paralysis on one side of his body — his life changed dramatically, and adopting a slower pace was just one of many adjustments he and Tammy had to make.

Adapting to the Unexpected

“I was in a wheelchair for about a year after my stroke. So, it was a lot of work for Tammy and a lot of learning, a lot of new stuff, and a lot of frustration. We both lived in the fast lane. I worked a lot, played a lot, and didn't sit around much, so slow life really was a stinker for both of us. But you know, you don't have any choice but to adapt, right?
So that's what we tried to do,” Price explains.

Immediately after the stroke, Price spent two weeks in the ICU at a hospital near his home in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by inpatient rehabilitation. After two months, he transferred to Shepherd Pathways, a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program in Decatur, Georgia, for people recovering from brain injury.

That was 10 years ago, and when Price reflects on those early days, he remembers how Tammy advocated, researched, and learned everything she could to help him regain his independence.  

“She proactively advocated for me, and she proactively sought out things that could assist me in gaining independence — for both of our sakes,” Price recalls.

Tammy remembers how overwhelming those early days were as she adjusted to the role of caregiver.

“It was a pretty traumatic time for us. We could always talk to someone there [at Shepherd] about things, but you don't know what you don't know, and there were things available, but it was challenging trying to navigate everything,” she says.

And while she wanted Price to regain as much independence as possible, she was also scared that something might go wrong.

“We had one of the therapists come to our condominium and walk through a routine with us there in the condo because I was still very fearful. You know, it's hard. It's like when you have a child, and as they're getting older, they're becoming more and more independent. And I almost felt like when Price had a stroke, he went back to being like a very dependent child, and it was hard to know when I could release him and stop doing everything for him, you know? And so, we had to take it step by step. And they helped us come up with all kinds of safety measures,” Tammy explains.

Caring for the Caregiver

A good friend of Price’s, a caregiver himself, reminded Price to be mindful of Tammy’s needs.

“He said, ‘Look here. I'm just gonna tell you straight up. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Caregivers need loving, too.’ It was a great message for me to hear,” Price recalls. “It's like, look, you're not the only one going through hard times. Caregiving is not easy. It's full of trauma, of waking up in the middle of the night and worrying about stuff and feeling guilty about trying to go on and living your life.”

Looking to the Future

As Price grew stronger, the Woodwards began to think about what was next. Tammy is from Georgia, and they had planned to retire in the state, so they moved to Atlanta. Price’s path to independence included enrolling in Beyond Therapy®, a rigorous, activity-based therapy program at Shepherd focused on maximizing muscle and neural return and promoting lifelong wellness.

“That was an environment where he thrived,” says Tammy. “It was an athletic setting, and that worked out very well. And all the therapists there were wonderful. They’d talk to me anytime I wanted to ask questions, and if I wanted to stay and watch, I could. If I wanted to leave, I left.”

While Price was participating in Beyond Therapy, one of his daughters got engaged. Even though he had difficulty standing at the time, Price remembers telling exercise physiologist, Taylor Jones, MBA, MS, NSCA-CSCS, “Taylor, you need to get me out of this wheelchair because I want to walk her down the aisle.” Jones told Price if he was willing to work at it, they could try.

He also remembers feeling comforted when Chelsea Day, Psy.D., his neuropsychologist at Shepherd, reminded him that whether he walked or used a wheelchair, his daughter would be glad he was there for her wedding.

A Focus on Blessings

Months later, Price did walk his daughter down the aisle and even joined her for a traditional father-daughter dance. Price called it “joy in the midst of tragedy and struggles.”

That perspective, Price says, has helped him tremendously over the past 10 years. He and Tammy have always relied on their faith, and they have found it beneficial to focus on what they have instead of what they don’t have. Price considers himself a “stroke survivor” rather than a “stroke victim.” He reflects on the milestone moments he has gotten to be part of since his stroke — his youngest daughter’s college graduation, his middle daughter’s wedding, and enjoying time with his seven grandchildren. He says that because of his rehabilitation at Shepherd, he built the confidence to return to doing things he enjoys. He drives independently, plays one-handed golf, and hunts. Tammy notes that with support and education from Shepherd, they’ve also gained enough experience and confidence to travel again — something they both enjoy.

Lessons Learned

Price also says he and his family have a heightened awareness of others who are going through difficult times and look for ways to be a source of comfort and encouragement.

“After my stroke, our entire family realized that pre-stroke, we really did a poor job of mourning with others who were mourning. Now our antennas are up high, and we are proactive in trying to lean into others who are going through difficult times in hopes of comforting and encouraging others,” he explains.

“My stroke was a big stinker and not fun but learning this last lesson and being more intentional about loving on and encouraging others who are going through difficult times is a benefit that makes our journey worth it and more of a blessing than a curse.”
 

Written by Ruth Underwood