Congratulations to Jordan Leigh. Her story was one of the Monthly Winners for the Hearts Afire stories. The criteria for these stories is for staff or a physician to go “above and beyond” their job descriptions in providing service that makes a significant difference in the life of a patient or family. Service includes kindness, compassion, explaining, keeping patients/families informed, etc.
Imagine recuperating from a stroke – along with all the physical and language challenges involved. Now imagine that you are a preacher and feel that you need to be back in the pulpit as soon as humanly possible. That was the dilemma facing Mike, a patient at West Tennessee Rehabilitation Center.
Mike had made it through his stroke rehab and was being discharged on a Friday. He fully intended to start preaching again that Sunday. His speech, occupational and physical therapists were all very supportive, but also concerned that he might need to take time to adjust to being at home and living with the after-effects of a stroke. They were concerned that preaching right away might put too much pressure on him. But Mike was determined, and even invited his therapists to his church, which was a little over an hour’s drive from Jackson.
For various reasons, Jordan Leigh Young, Speech-Language Pathologist, was the only therapist who was available to go that Sunday. Jordan Leigh really wanted to be there for her patient, to lend words of encouragement and some good, old fashioned moral support. She arrived at the church in time to speak to both Mike and his wife, who were both so grateful to see her and have her support. Jordan Leigh was able to give encouraging words to Mike and express confidence in his ability to deliver a rousing sermon. Then, ever the therapist, Jordan Leigh took a seat in the congregation so that Mike would have to look to his left to see her. Because of the stroke, Mike sometimes forgot that there were things – and people – to his left. With Jordan Leigh sitting to his left, Mike did not neglect that side of his congregation, but looked at them and Jordan Leigh many times.
There were a few moments during the sermon when Jordan Leigh held her breath, but in the end, Mike did a good job delivering his sermon. Jordan Leigh gave the support she had come to give, and Mike was given the opportunity to show his former therapist how much he had improved, thanks in part to her efforts. It was an inspiring and uplifting day to Mike, his wife, Jordan Leigh and the whole congregation!
Mike had made it through his stroke rehab and was being discharged on a Friday. He fully intended to start preaching again that Sunday. His speech, occupational and physical therapists were all very supportive, but also concerned that he might need to take time to adjust to being at home and living with the after-effects of a stroke. They were concerned that preaching right away might put too much pressure on him. But Mike was determined, and even invited his therapists to his church, which was a little over an hour’s drive from Jackson.
For various reasons, Jordan Leigh Young, Speech-Language Pathologist, was the only therapist who was available to go that Sunday. Jordan Leigh really wanted to be there for her patient, to lend words of encouragement and some good, old fashioned moral support. She arrived at the church in time to speak to both Mike and his wife, who were both so grateful to see her and have her support. Jordan Leigh was able to give encouraging words to Mike and express confidence in his ability to deliver a rousing sermon. Then, ever the therapist, Jordan Leigh took a seat in the congregation so that Mike would have to look to his left to see her. Because of the stroke, Mike sometimes forgot that there were things – and people – to his left. With Jordan Leigh sitting to his left, Mike did not neglect that side of his congregation, but looked at them and Jordan Leigh many times.
There were a few moments during the sermon when Jordan Leigh held her breath, but in the end, Mike did a good job delivering his sermon. Jordan Leigh gave the support she had come to give, and Mike was given the opportunity to show his former therapist how much he had improved, thanks in part to her efforts. It was an inspiring and uplifting day to Mike, his wife, Jordan Leigh and the whole congregation!
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