Meet Katelynn!
“Nearly three years ago, I was a perfectly healthy 36-year-old driving my car to work when my life changed in an instant.” – Katelynn Wild, Hotel Dieu Shaver patient.
I couldn’t feel anything on my left side and 12-hours later I became fully paralyzed. It took five days for the doctors to provide the diagnosis that I suffered a hemiplegic stroke. For three weeks I stayed in an acute care hospital, unable to move, walk, or do basic tasks. Since we were in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic I had no visitors, no family, no community – I had this stroke by myself.
From the moment I arrived at Hotel Dieu Shaver (HDS) the staff made me feel welcome. It had been the first human interaction since before my stroke and I felt like I was now a part of this supportive and welcoming family. They were the ones standing by my side… they were invested in me! Within the first 24 hours they even had me trying to climb the stairs – I found hope.
It’s easy to lose your sense of self when everything you’ve ever known is taken away, but the staff and resources at Hotel Dieu Shaver allowed me to see beyond my obstacles. There were so many tools and pieces of equipment that helped me succeed. From trying to walk on the different textures and curbs, to sitting in a car and using the driving simulator - all these tools helped get back my quality of life. In only four weeks at HDS, I went from using a wheelchair, to a walker, to no supportive devices! Not only did they teach me how to walk again, but they helped my heart to heal.
After being discharged as an inpatient, my journey with HDS continued with the outpatient program. My left hand didn’t open for 5 months – this forced me to learn to be right handed while working on strengthening my other hand. I even had to re-learn how to brush my hair. The team at HDS doesn’t concentrate on your deficiencies, they only highlight your abilities. When I returned to the outpatient program again 9 months later, I was welcomed back with positivity and the “look at you go” attitude. You never understand the importance of having this rehab hospital until you are directly impacted. Hotel Dieu Shaver helped me achieve a quality of life comparable to someone who never had a stroke, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
Even though my odds for a full recovery was only 10%, the team at HDS gave me hope. It was a breath of fresh air in a time of uncertainty. I lost 20 pounds of muscle while I was waiting to be transferred to HDS... muscle I knew I would have to rebuild. It has been a challenge, but I’ve never given up. After nearly 3 years, I’m starting to feel like myself again. I am now able to enjoy doing the activities I love, like walking my dog Kevin, going to concerts, kayaking, paddle boarding and even swimming with dolphins. I’m happiest at the beach, and now – thanks to learning to walk on different surfaces – I can walk on sand!
