Tyree Denmon
Stroke
Tyree Denmon was no stranger to hard work. A 62-year-old machine operator, his workweek usually amounted to six days.
It came as no surprise that Tyree pushed through it when he started feeling weak at work. But after three days of feeling off-balance and tired, Tyree went home early to sleep it off. When he woke up, he was unable to stand, his right side was paralyzed.
Tyree was rushed to the hospital where doctors confirmed a stroke. He had no control of his right leg and couldn’t walk or stand. After a week at JPS Hospital in Fort Worth, Tyree was transferred to inpatient rehabilitation. Good progress was made during inpatient rehabilitation as he adapted to the limited use of his right side. He improved his activities of daily living (ADLs) skills, but Tyree didn’t want to stop there.
He was determined to get the most out of his recovery so that he could get back to work. Tyree chose to continue his treatment with the Day Neuro Program at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation – Fort Worth.
He told his Day Neuro team that his main goal was to regain full functionality in his right leg. With this in mind, the program’s physical therapists created a plan that included advanced treatment and exercises to increase his strength, balance and mobility. Tyree began balance and gait training. He was also introduced to functional electrical stimulation to reawaken the muscles in his legs.
“The therapists helped me tremendously,” recalled Tyree. “They kept encouraging me, kept pushing me and wouldn’t let me stop or give up.”
Tyree reached his first milestone while doing extra home exercises: his foot began to move. This was a huge moment — the right dose of hope to drive Tyree’s commitment to further recovery.
In occupational therapy, Tyree continued to improve his ADLs – washing clothes, doing the dishes and preparing food – and accomplishing new goals.
“Once they thought I got the hang of something, they would change it up and make it more challenging – which is what I needed,” said Tyree.
Even something as simple as putting on his socks was celebrated, but by the time Tyree completed his Day Neuro Program he was doing so much more – almost regaining use of his right leg. In all, he participated in daily physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions for eight weeks.
Now, Tyree is looking forward to returning to work and getting back to taking his dog for long walks. He plans on continuing outpatient therapy at BSWIR to push his recovery even further.
Summing up his experience, Tyree observes, “It’s really hard to put into words...I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without this place.”
Learn more about the stroke program at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation