Stroke survivor Debby Ward stood at the podium May 14 in front of more than 400 guests at the Go Red for Women luncheon. With her husband, Danny, at her side for assistance and moral support, she told the story of her stroke four years earlier.
The annual event by the Arkansas chapter of the American Heart Association is a way to raise awareness of heart disease and strokes and to raise money for research. Ward said her first reaction when asked to speak was to say no because the stroke had affected her speech, but she didn't want to have any regrets, and ultimately agreed to share her survivor story. She credited her rehabilitation therapists for retraining her brain and body to walk, talk and read again, and said her "biggest struggle is speaking."
"Push yourself and you might be surprised," she told the crowd.
She also encouraged attendees to go to the doctor if they think something is wrong, and to be persistent. "You know your body better than anybody else."
Other survivors honored were Carolynn Coleman, Jacqueline Eldridge, Melinda Gault, Vickie Gill, Brooklyn Loring, Julie Reves Paige Risberg, Danna Tillman and Samantha Tomlinson.
Kelly Caldwell was chairman of the luncheon, which was sponsored by the Go Red for Women Ladies of Leadership Christy Clark, Margaret Clark, Stuart Cobb, Mary Catherine Conner, Sharon Heflin and Diana Smithson. Masters of ceremonies were Dawn Scott and Becky Rogers.
High Profile on 05/25/2014