Wayne's Story
Stroke
Wayne Vickery, a 60-year-old HVAC mechanic, was having a normal day when he began to feel strange. Initially brushing it off, Wayne’s condition worsened throughout the day and he lost function on the right side of his body.
While struggling to communicate, he managed to call his wife, Lisa, who rushed home. Wayne continued to believe that he would be able to shake off what was happening, but Lisa called EMS and he was taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lakeway.
Wayne had experienced a stroke. When he arrived at the hospital, he could not speak and had lost function on the right side of his body. He went to inpatient rehabilitation at a community-based center after he stabilized, but Wayne continued to struggle with mobility, communication, bladder control and performing daily tasks independently.
Wayne’s wife and children felt that he hadn’t reached his full potential. Hoping for better results, they chose Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation (BSWIR) - Lakeway, a place that came highly recommended by family and friends.
When he arrived, his physician-led interdisciplinary team, including physical, occupational and speech therapists developed a care plan that would help Wayne rebuild his life. Wayne's therapy began with goals centered on restoring his independence at home—particularly regaining mobility, speech and bladder control.
When Wayne first arrived at BSWIR - Lakeway, he required maximum assistance for transfers and could not walk or get into a car. His physical therapists focused Wayne’s efforts on improving his overall mobility. His therapists used an ankle-foot orthosis to stabilize his joint and improve his gait. He also used therapy bands to help strengthen his legs and promote an efficient walking pattern. By the time he was discharged, he could walk about five feet with a hemi walker and moderate assistance. He was also able to do several transfers, including a car transfer, with contact guard assistance.
Occupational therapy was necessary in order for Wayne to regain independence in his daily life. With the help of assistive devices such as a long-handled sponge and a handheld shower hose, he learned to bathe on his own again. A special weight-supporting harness system was used to strengthen his standing endurance and balance, which in turn allowed him to start dressing and using the bathroom with minimal assistance.
Speech therapy addressed the communication issues caused by the stroke. Wayne practiced functional communication phrases like "I love you" using script training. This therapy allowed him to reconnect with his family and hospital staff. His speech therapist also introduced augmentative and alternative communication devices, which supported him when words were difficult to form. By the end of his stay, Wayne was able to speak in longer sentences, expressing his needs more effectively.
There were many emotional family moments when Wayne reached a milestone. One of his most memorable milestones was taking the first of several steps with the help of his occupational therapist. That night, Lisa shared with him the video of that exact moment. Wayne was overwhelmed, but he know deep down that his hard work was paying off.
Wayne had strong and solid family support. Many members of his family visited him daily, participating in multiple family training sessions to ensure they could support his ongoing recovery.
His family felt Wayne's stay at Baylor Scott & White - Lakeway set him up for success. To that end, he planned to transition to the Day Neuro Program to continue his recovery.
Wayne and Lisa were grateful and optimistic about continuing his rehabilitation journey. Before they discharged, they shared these heartfelt words: “Every single staff member that encountered Wayne is truly amazing.”