Everett’s Story: ‘I Was Given a Second Chance’

After suffering two strokes in early 2023, Everett Lacy temporarily lost his ability to speak and write, but he never lost his ability to connect with people. As he worked to regain crucial skills, Lacy’s warmth and unwavering positive attitude guided his recovery, supported by ChristianaCare rehabilitation therapists 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 ability to speak and communicate. Occupational therapist Bridget Callahan helped Lacy strengthen his fine motor skills, including cutting his food, writing and typing on a computer. Both caregivers are amazed that Lacy makes them feel special just for doing their jobs.

“It’s not an exaggeration: Every time he comes to therapy, he has a smile on his face, he gives everyone a hug and says ‘thank you,’” DiMaio said.

How it started

One morning in January 2023, Lacy woke up on the floor, disoriented and scared, with no feeling on the right side of his body. He was home alone. Somehow, he made his way to the window, where he flagged down a neighbor who called an ambulance.

Within 30 minutes of his arrival at Wilmington Hospital, the ChristianaCare stroke team located the blood clot in Lacy’s brain that had caused the stroke and surgically removed it.

But because of the long delay between Lacy’s stroke, which began at night, and his treatment, he had permanent damage to his brain. A second stroke two months later affected Lacy’s speech, significantly limiting what he could say.

The Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Wilmington Hospital is internationally recognized and accredited as a Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CARF).

“Everett had aphasia, difficulty communicating verbally, which is something that many stroke patients experience,” DiMaio said. “He also had apraxia, difficulty making out sounds and putting words together.”

When he began therapy, Lacy could only say single words, so he was given a communication aid. Gradually, DiMaio’s therapy helped Lacy regain his speech.

“At first I couldn’t talk at all,” Lacy said. “I’ve come a long way.”

He can now hold conversations, with his warm, friendly personality coming through. At ChristianaCare’s Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Wilmington Hospitalwhere Lacy received his outpatient therapy, he is known as “The Mayor”.

Lacy also needed occupational therapy to help him regain his fine motor skills. Callahan helped him use a pen, cutlery and computer mouse again.

How it goes

To hone his skills in the real world, the Bridgets took him to a nearby YMCA to sign up as a member and to a local restaurant to order a meal.

Lacy, an artist who uses found objects, is excited to make art again. Callahan wanted to incorporate his art into his occupational therapy. He shares photos of his beautifully crafted masks and paintings with visitors to the rehabilitation unit.

“If I can engage someone in their leisure time, the sessions become more meaningful,” Callahan said.

“It made me so happy to see the joy on his face when I was able to put a brush in his hands again.”

After Lacy made significant progress, he spoke to the Bridgets about an idea he had to create a better community for stroke survivors and their caregivers, and to educate people about stroke.

To shine a light

With Lacy as inspiration, Callahan and DiMaio planned Shine a Light on Stroke, a 5K Run/Walk fundraiser held in May at Glasgow Park in Newark, Delaware, along with educational resources for the community. “We came up with the name ‘Shine a Light’ because Everett always shines a light when we see him. He’s a great, outgoing person,” DiMaio said.

“We’ve been educating people about the symptoms of a stroke because the quicker you get to the hospital, the quicker you can get treatment to potentially reverse those symptoms,” she said.

Community partners provided support and helped spread the word about stroke. The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services offered blood pressure monitoring, and the University of Delaware Stroke Studies Team provided education about their research.

More than 400 people participated in the first 5K, including Lacy and other stroke survivors. A beaming Lacy crossed the finish line holding hands with each of the Bridgets, who held their arms aloft and cheered in celebration of his success. The event raised nearly $41,000 for the outpatient rehabilitation program at Wilmington Hospital.

At the end of the race, Callahan organized a group photo of all the stroke survivors, holding up signs that read BE FAST. Her patients helped paint the signs for the event, which was an added boost to their efforts to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of stroke.

U.S. News & World Report named ChristianaCare a high-performing hospital in stroke care.

“Everett knew right away where he wanted the money to go,” Callahan said. “He’s been grateful for our services from day one.

“Many stroke survivors we work with cannot afford all the costs associated with their recovery. The funds will help ease their financial burden.”

Giving back has been important to Lacy, whose family has a history with ChristianaCare. He, his mother, grandmother and sister all worked at ChristianaCare during their careers.

Lacy continues to receive speech and occupational therapy from the Bridgets, who continue to help him with his recovery. He is grateful for all that 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.