Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Rarely is a blood clot in the brain considered a sign of good fortune, however, Stephen Coyle and his "stroke of luck" bring an optimistic view to what many would believe to be a tragic event.
Based on Coyle's past experiences and positive attitude, the American Heart Association, of Indianapolis, nominated Coyle to help the organization lobby in Washington, D.C., for additional funds.
Coyle, who said he will be greatly pleased to help AHA's cause, already dedicates much of his time to rehabilitating stroke patients after experiencing one himself almost five years ago, an experience he considers to be one of the "luckiest moments" of his life.
On Feb. 14, 2001, Coyle believed he saw the sky suddenly become dark and cloudy while he worked to restore a house on Lake Wawasee. As he watched a storm approach the lake, Coyle suffered an ischemic stroke, a condition where blood clots or fatty tissues block the flow of blood to the brain.
Coyle ignored the symptoms and continued to work, only later to discover what had taken place. The next morning, Coyle's speech was greatly affected and he recognized the need to go to the hospital.
He checked into Parkview Hospital and, after realizing a stroke had taken place, was moved to the rehabilitation center.
During his time at the center, Coyle worked to recover his motor, memory and speech skills, which had been greatly damaged.
"The easiest movements and processes seemed impossible at that time," Coyle said. "I remember a speech therapist asked me for the sum of one plus one. I thought about it for a long time, and I knew the answer was an easy one, but I just couldn't answer the question."
During rehabilitation, Coyle began helping others with the process, and after recovering from his ailments, still assists stroke patients at the center.
"I quickly decided that if I chose to lie in bed all day, that would be destructive," Coyle said. "I chose to rise above it and meet the problem head on."
Now Coyle volunteers at the Parkview Hospital Recreational Therapy Department, where he takes patients to a movie theater or plays cards with them every other Friday to help with their re-adjustment to social settings.
While volunteering, Coyle also constructed a small mobile library for the rehab patients that is still in use at Parkview's stroke center.
"Before the stroke, all I wanted to talk about was my work, but since I began volunteering, my work has really taken a backseat," Coyle said. "Now, when I have a chance to help people and open my heart to them, it's really taken over."
Coyle also talks to stroke patients, encouraging recovery by explaining his own rehabilitation frustrations and how he overcame them. He joined a Lutheran Hospital stroke support group, and works with the Fox Foundation, an organization that takes head injury patients to the Indy 500 each year.
"If not for the stroke, I would have never met all the wonderful people I've come in contact with and helped," Coyle said. "So much of my own recovery came from helping others through my stroke of luck."
Coyle now plans to help host a Sept. 17 heartwalk sponsored by AHA in the Gates Sports Center, at the IPFW campus in Fort Wayne.
For more information, go to heartwalk.kintera.org/ftwayne on the Net.
