Lincoln volunteer honored on World Stroke Day

The Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital- Lincoln Campus chose to celebrate World Stroke Day by honoring a local man who survived a stroke and volunteered over 1000 hours at the campus, after he recovered.

“It’s just been a fantastic place to come and volunteer and get my therapy,” said David Melvin. “There’s not another place like it. Nobody ever expects it to have a stroke. Keep trying and it will get better.” 

It was a surprise, and many showed up to thank him.

He received the Stephanie Wever Courage Award by the Nebraska State Stroke Association. It’s in honor of Wever who was a stroke survivor and former NSA member.

 Melvin’s wife, Terri, is happy his volunteerism was recognized.

“I’m just very proud of him,” Terri said. “He’s worked so hard over the last three and a half years. He never actually thought he was gonna be a social butterfly in his life but he truly has just been so good with patients.” 

His friend, Keith Fickencher, nominated him for the award, saying Melvin would visit many patients and his upbeat attitude matched Stephanie’s.

“I knew he was the right person to represent the Stephanie Wever Courage Award,” said  Fickencher.  “I knew Stephanie before she passed away she was a phenomenal lady and always upbeat, never down. Dave is the same way.” 

One of the NSSA representatives wants the public to remember to BE FAST, an updated acronym that helps people identify the signs of a stroke. FAST stands for Face, Arm, Speech, and Time.

But there are two very important aspects recently added that people need to look out for…Balance and Eyes.

“The eyes, sometimes it’s a very distinct look where the eyes start to wander in a stroke victim,” said CHUCK BACCHUS, NSSA executive director.

For more information on Madonna rehab, visit https://www.madonna.org/.