Nursing Home Miracle

Miracle Man

By Charlie Melton

Miracles are all around us. One of those miracles just walked out of our door. We’ll call him Hank.

In April last year Chasity and Roas went to screen him at the rehab facility. Hank was alone as often happens. Other nursing homes had turned Hank away. He had no hope.

Hank had a stroke in January. He could move his eyes. He could move his left hand slightly. He had no other functions. He couldn’t eat. He couldn't communicate. He was just an inanimate shell of what he’d been 4 months before. In those 4 months Hank made no progress.

Chasity says Hank not having health insurance was an issue. Even when a person has health insurance, it’s hard to pay the bills when giving long term care. Hank obviously needed therapy, but even if he had Medicaid they only pay for outpatient therapy. With the decreased payments in 

Illinois, even with Medicaid it would be difficult to provide his care.

Roas tears up a little when she talks about Hank. Roas saw something in his eyes that compelled her. Roas took Hank’s hand in hers. She told him they work in a small home in Enfield, not far from his town. She asked if he wanted to come to Enfield and he cried. Hank tried to kiss her hand but couldn’t. The deal was cemented at that point.

Chasity and Roas brought Hank to the home in Enfield. They went about the business of providing for his needs, as they do for every resident.

The consensus is that Hank had no will to live. He thought he had no value. Hank gradually learned that he was wrong.

Darlene provided the restorative care for Hank. She hung a red balloon over his bed. Darlene told him to hit the balloon. He couldn’t. She didn’t give up on him. She became his coach and sometime nemesis. One day, probably to make Darlene shut up, he hit the balloon. That was the first step on a long journey. Hit the balloon. Such a simple but profound act forever changed everything.

Three weeks after coming to Enfield Hank spoke. In the 4 months at the rehab center since his stroke he’d not progressed but in 3 weeks in a nursing home he spoke.

Hank had been unable to eat, but after 4 weeks in the nursing home he was able to eat. His feeding tube was removed.

Jennifer was one of his nurses. She’s from the same town as Hank, and knows some of the same people he knows. She used this as common ground to talk to him. Jennifer learned about his family, especially the Grandson he adores. She engaged him in small talk. She, and many others, helped him see that Enfield had a support system for him. He’d never had one before

He cried, he got angry, he laughed. Every day with Darlene he would mouth the word “Why?” Darlene told him they just have to try. Just try. He mouthed “I hate you” every time to Darlene but she kept coaching him. When he could manage holding his hand up he’d give Darlene the finger but she still persisted.

Hank began to care.

Whether willingly or unwillingly, he worked and ultimately followed Darlene’s directions. Hank went from immobile to sitting and then walking. From blood, sweat, and tears he walked.

At first he couldn't even lift a 1 pound weight. He mastered and surpassed the weights. From heroic efforts and supported by the love of his caregivers he grew stronger and functioned better.

Hank worked for a year. He made friends. He got his sense of humor back.

Hank walked out the door to his own home.

Joyce was one of many aids that cared for Hank. Joyce says, “He worked so hard. He came so far and did so well. He is a miracle.”

Amy is another of Hanks nurses. She also tears up when asked about Hank. “He came here a compete invalid and walked out” she says. “He makes me feel I succeeded as a nurse. I think Hank is a miracle”.

None of us know how miracles work or why. Occasionally we all get to be a small part in a divine plan. Though impossible to explain or quantify what happens in a miracle, it’s incredible to see one.

Hank, your caregivers are thankful for the miracle that is you. Thank you for coming into our home. Thank you for walking out the door.