MANSFIELD — Patrick Harp was given three to six hours to live upon
arriving in the emergency department at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
Harp, a 60-year-old Mansfield resident, suffered a stroke in May of
2007. He was taken to the Mansfield hospital and underwent an emergency
craniotomy.
After a three-month stay at OhioHealth, Harp returned home — accompanied by several new challenges which affect his daily life.
Harp has severe aphasia, a language disorder caused by damage to his
brain. He’s lost peripheral vision in both eyes and movement of his
right arm.
Despite these obstacles, he’s able to move around and live with his wife Ronda and their family.
Since his stroke in 2007, Harp has gone to the OhioHealth Mansfield stroke survivor support group each month. Ronda credits some of her husband’s progress and positive attitude to the group.
The Harps encourage other stroke survivors to seek out support groups to help in their recovery.
Harp remains ‘happy-go-lucky’
Life as Patrick knew it changed following his stroke. His faith and “happy-go-lucky” attitude have allowed him to persevere.
“It’s a long road,” he said in regards to the recovery process.
Patrick enjoys riding his recumbent trike, a three-wheel bike with a
laid-back seat, as well as woodworking — creating items such as
ornaments, tables and wine racks, among others.
He’s also made connections with other stroke survivors by attending OhioHealth Mansfield’s support group for nearly 20 years.
Ronda said she and her husband learned about the group during Patrick’s inpatient rehab.
The group meets on the second Friday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m.
at the Mansfield hospital, 335 Glessner Ave. It includes a variety of
events such as dining-out socials, game nights, local tours and featured
speakers, among others.
Its members are the reason the Harps said they’ve continued to attend over the years.
“We like to keep up with what’s going on with them, what improvements
they’ve seen and what tips they might have,” Ronda said, adding Patrick
enjoys trying to encourage other survivors.
Furthermore, she said the group will occasionally split to allow
survivors and caregivers a chance to converse without the other, as well
as share challenges.
Survivor group supports physical, mental health
Stroke recovery demands determination from patients both physically and mentally.
Offering a chance to speak with others battling similar obstacles,
the support group has supported Patrick from falling into “depression
mode.”
The Harps agreed surrounding themselves with other survivors and caregivers has provided a productive emotional resource.
Survivors feel comfortable sharing stories about the ups-and-downs of their recovery, which the couple agreed has been helpful.
They’ve also attended several stroke camps, which take place in states around the country and allow survivors and caregivers to network even further.
“We just find things on the internet and think ‘Oh, well, let’s gather with more people that are like us,’” Ronda said.
She added a piece of advice for families experiencing unique challenges which accompany life after a stroke.
“Just don’t stay in the house in front of the TV,” Ronda said. “Just get out and try the community things.”
Certified primary stroke care center
Gubert Tan, neurologist and stroke medical director at OhioHealth
Mansfield, said strokes are a leading cause of disability in the United
States.
He added the Mansfield hospital is the area’s only certified primary stroke care center.
“We try to do our best,” Tan said. “We get our certification renewed
after several years and we constantly do that to provide excellence in
stroke care.”
Educating patients and the community about the warning signs of strokes is a critical aspect of stroke care, he explained.
The acronym “BE FAST” — balance issues, eyesight changes, facial
weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 911 — serves
as a reminder of stroke signs and symptoms, as well as when to seek
medical assistance.
“That’s what we try to encourage patients to learn,” Tan said. “When
they come to the hospital, part of the treatment is education.”
A variety of preventative therapies are available at the stroke care
center, including medication, physical therapy, gyms and rehabilitation
practices. The ward also features a 14-bed inpatient rehab unit.
After patients leave the hospital, Tan said they communicate with
OhioHealth Mansfield’s stroke clinic to follow up with nurse
practitioners and vascular neurologists.
Support group is for patients, caregivers
Recovering from a stroke can be a lengthy, challenging and stressful process for both the patient and their caregivers.
Tan said resources available at the Mansfield Hospital, such as the
support group and educational classes, are meant to help and serve
patients and their support system.
“It’s continued care. From education to acute care, to rehabilitation
and the support group,” he said. “It’s more for the patient and more
for the family, too, for the caregiver, because sometimes the stress
level is in the patient, but also the caregiver.”
National Stroke Awareness Month is recognized in the United States each May. To learn more, visit the American Stroke Association website.
