While Billy Truelove spent 55 years working in an industry that demanded physical strength, his days as a lumberjack were past when he suffered a stroke several years ago, leaving the left side of his body weak and forcing him to use a wheelchair.
Mr. Truelove came to Life Care Center of Cleveland on Sept.
10, after being hospitalized for a heart attack at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. As he recounted the experience of his recent heart attack, he remembered thinking that if he could get in a rehab program at Life Care Center of Cleveland, he knew he could get better. "I know God put me right in here,” said Mr. Truelove.
Soon after Mr. Truelove came to Life Care Center of Cleveland, he began physical and occupational therapies six times a week. Two weeks after beginning therapy, he was walking for the first time in five and a half years.
“The big turning point was when we got him up on the LiteGait,” recalled Ann Bolton, a physical therapist at Life Care Center of Cleveland, referring to the weight-supporting harness system. “LiteGait gives patients the chance to get their muscles working again before taking on all the pressure of their body weight.”
As Mr. Truelove walked the bridge between Life Care Center of Cleveland and Garden Plaza at Cleveland, with Ms. Bolton by his side, he reached a new personal record – 125 feet. “Billy works so hard. Every day he’s here and he’s giving it everything he’s got,” said Ms. Bolton.
Mr. Truelove plans to continue working hard during the remainder of his stay. With 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, he’s had plenty of visitors to encourage him during his rehab. One of his great-granddaughters was even able to see him walk for the first time in her life.
Mr. Truelove says he is grateful for his time at Life Care Center of Cleveland. “It’s a good place to be. If everything keeps going like it’s going, I’ll be able to walk on my own again someday – maybe even run!”