Fifty-six-year-old Harold Cooke lives in Duncan, South Carolina with his wife, Estrella, and works for BMW. He enjoys spending time at the beach, fishing, metal detecting, and working in his yard.

Recently, Harold was admitted to an acute care hospital where doctors found a blood clot in his right renal artery and a narrowing of his thoracic aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. He was transferred to another facility where he was treated for the narrowing of the aorta with a stent to improve blood flow. His recovery was complicated by a stroke, cardiac arrest, a bloodstream infection, and other serious medical issues.

After initial treatment, Estrella researched rehabilitation options and chose Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute (SRI) because it was highly recommended by friends and known for providing excellent stroke recovery care. SRI holds a national certification in stroke rehabilitation from The Joint Commission, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to achieving better outcomes for stroke patients.

When Harold arrived at SRI, he was unable to walk independently and required the help of another person to stand. He also had difficulty swallowing and speaking clearly. The hospital’s interdisciplinary healthcare team created an individualized treatment plan focused on restoring his strength, coordination, and communication skills.

Harold participated in speech therapy to improve swallowing and speech clarity. He also took part in physical therapy to strengthen his legs, improve transfers, and practice walking with a walker. He participated in occupational therapy to rebuild balance and coordination for daily activities such as picking up objects, showering, toileting, and standing at the sink.

During his three-week stay at SRI, Harold made significant progress. He now is able to walk with little to no assistance, manage most of his personal care needs, and use the restroom independently most of the time. His speech has improved, and he can swallow without coughing.

“My goal is to return to work at BMW in the new year,” Harold says. “I’m focused on continuing my progress so I can get back to my normal routine.”