Everett’s Story: ‘I Got a Second Chance’

After 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 steered his recovery, supported by ChristianaCare rehabilitation therapists, whom he affectionately calls “the Bridgets.”

“They never gave up on me, so I didn’t either,” Lacy said. “I tell them, ‘I really love you guys.’”

Speech-language pathologist 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 have marveled that Lacy makes them feel special simply for doing their jobs.

“It’s not an exaggeration – every time he comes into therapy, he’s got a smile on his face, he’s giving everyone a hug, he’s saying, ‘thank you,’” DiMaio said.

How it started

One morning in January 2023, Lacy woke up on the floor, disoriented and frightened, 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 and surgically removed the blood clot in Lacy’s brain that had caused his stroke.

But because of the extended time between Lacy’s stroke, which began overnight, and his treatment, he had lasting 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 a lot of patients who have strokes experience,” DiMaio said. “He also had apraxia, trouble figuring out how to make sounds and put words together.”

When he began therapy, Lacy could only say single words, so he received an assistive speaking device to help him communicate. Gradually, DiMaio’s therapy helped Lacy regain his speech.

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

He’s able to have conversations now, with his warm, friendly personality coming through. At ChristianaCare’s Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Wilmington Hospital, where Lacy received his outpatient therapy, he’s known as “The Mayor.”

Lacy also needed occupational therapy to regain his fine-motor skills. Callahan worked with him to use a pen, silverware and a computer mouse again.

How it’s going

To sharpen his skills in the real world, the Bridgets took him to a nearby YMCA to sign up for membership and to a local diner to order a meal.

Lacy – an artist who uses found objects – is looking forward to making art again. Callahan was eager to incorporate his art into his occupational therapy. He shares photos of his beautifully crafted masks and paintings to visitors on the rehabilitation unit.

“Anytime I can engage someone in their leisure activities, it makes their sessions more meaningful,” Callahan said.

“It made me so happy to see the joy on his face when I was able to put a paintbrush back in his hand.”

Once Lacy had made significant progress, he talked with the Bridgets about an idea he’d had to build a better community among stroke survivors and their caregivers, and to educate people about stroke.

Shining a light

With Lacy as the 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 wonderful, outgoing person,” DiMaio said.

“We provided education about stroke symptoms, because the quicker you go 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 screenings and the University of Delaware Stroke Studies Team provided education on their research.

More than 400 people participated in the inaugural 5K, including Lacy and other stroke survivors. A beaming Lacy crossed the finish line while holding hands with each of the Bridgets, who raised their arms and cheered to celebrate 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 picture of all stroke survivors who held up signs spelling out BE FAST, which her patients assisted in painting for the event, to further support their efforts in educating the public about stroke signs and symptoms.

U.S. News & World Report named ChristianaCare as a High Performing Hospital for stroke care.

“Everett knew immediately where he wanted the money to go,” Callahan said. “He’s been appreciative of our services since day one.

“A lot of stroke survivors we work with can’t afford all the out-of-pocket expenses that come along with their recovery. The funds will help to lessen their financial burden.”

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

Lacy still receives speech and occupational therapy from the Bridgets, who continue to help with his recovery. He’s grateful for everything that Callahan and DiMaio have done for him.

“I feel like I got a second chance, and I’m not going to waste it,” Lacy said.