Clyde the Stride

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What I've enjoyed most about blogging while in Peru is that it's allowed me to tell stories of people I've met, people I've observed, and people I've come to admire greatly. Tonight, however, I have a very personal story about someone far away in Kansas.

On Saturday afternoon I received a voicemail from my brother that my dad had a stroke. That's not a fun message to hear when you're 3,600 miles from someone that you love dearly, especially if you're in a taxi...stuck in traffic...unable to call anyone. For 20 minutes I was left alone with my overactive imagination as I desperately prayed. Just as the taxi pulled up to my house, my sister-in-law called and filled me in on the news, in the calm way that she handles everything. She told me that dad was already en route to a hospital in Wichita and was lucid and chatty, even though the stroke had left his left side weak. Thankfully, he was not paralyzed and it appeared that the worst was already behind him. The doctors would run tests for more information about the location of the stroke and why it had occurred.

By Monday dad was already beginning therapy to regain full movement in his left arm and leg, and just today he was moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center there in Wichita where he'll remain for a few weeks. My mom and brothers have been with him there, while my sister-in-law Beth has been with my grandmother in Iola. Dad has a long road ahead of him, but he's been labeled "a perfect candidate" for physical therapy, as he's always loved working out and learning about the body. Doctors say that with his young age and good health, he should have an almost full recovery. I give thanks to God for this.

Those of you that have known about this prior to tonight have asked me what it is that you could do to help. I think the best thing anyone can do for him now is to shower him with love and encouragement! He loves to laugh, so if you'd like to send him a funny card, I know he'd really appreciate it!!! (even if you don't know him, but you know me.) I would really appreciate it, too.

Here's his address:

Clyde Toland
c/o Wesley Rehabilitation Center
8338 West 13th Street
Wichita, KS 67212

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