Your Story Matters: From Paralysis to Perseverance: Roger's Road Back Home

Roger was living the dream. He was a retired principal from Owosso High School. We was married to the love of his life, Sandra, with over 50 years of marriage. Roger was able to slow down, enjoy an easier pace of life, whether it be going for long drives to take in the changes of the Michigan seasons or swinging a golf club on the golf course.

But then life had different plans for Roger. In September of 2025, Roger developed Guillain-Barre, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, causing weakness, numbness, or even paralysis. His independence suddenly became one of complete dependence.   From playing golf to not being able to stand, Roger knew he had the biggest fight of his life ahead.  Retirement was over! Roger knew he had to go back to work…it was just a different kind of work.

After his hospitalization, he was transferred to Mary Free Bed where he began his rehabilitation but, in November of 2025, he arrived at one of our Michigan partner communities.

At the community, he was surrounded by an interdisciplinary team that were going to take his healing to the next level. Evaluations were performed by the physical and occupational therapist and every task, from transferring himself to dressing, required complete staff assistance. Roger was at a crossroads. He could accept this and learn to live with his current condition or he could fight. Roger chose to fight and his biggest motivation, he told the therapists, was to not be a burden to his wife. That’s what mattered most to Roger.

Roger had many cheerleaders, but Roger’s determination proved to be his biggest asset. He never gave up, even when met with adversity such as insurance issues. He kept going. He persevered, every day working hard, gaining independence with dressing, walking, getting in and out of bed. He wasn’t going to stop until he regained his independence. He just didn’t stop. And it paid off. Roger walked out of the facility

on May 12, 2026 to take that Freedom Ride home with his beautiful wife, Sandra. His struggles were behind him, but in his rearview window was an amazing team that also never took no for an answer.