Care That Makes a Difference

Lying on the ground next to her car, Sonjia Wallace couldn’t speak and couldn’t move her right arm or right leg. In just one moment, an intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke had left her powerless.

“I remember it happening and I panicked,” Sonjia says. “I didn’t have time to call anyone.”

Covenant Health Therapy Center – Lenoir City has been instrumental in her recovery. She’s been empowered by a team that uses specialized therapies and rehabilitation strategies to manage patients’ symptoms, alleviate pain and prevent complications.

Stroke Recovery

After Sonjia’s stroke, simple things like walking across a room and starting a conversation became monumental tasks – so monumental that she couldn’t do them alone.

The debilitating stroke hit in July of 2023, her second in less than a year. Sonjia had recovered quickly from her first, but this time was different. Rachel Wallace says her mother slept for days in a hospital.

“We waited a week to even see her respond,” Rachel says. “She had no mobility. Nothing. She couldn’t move and didn’t talk.”

Following the hospital stay and time at an inpatient rehabilitation facility, Sonjia was discharged to a different life. When she arrived for her first appointment at Covenant Health Therapy Center – Lenoir City, she walked in slow motion, and she couldn’t raise her right arm. 

She was encouraged to set goals that day, and Sonjia’s first goal was a simple one.

“To be able to fasten my bra,” she states. “I know it’s a little thing, but my independence depended on it.”

Physical therapy with clinical specialist Ann Blackwood-Widner, PT, and occupational therapy with Janie Conley, OT, helped Sonjia achieve that independence. Sonja’s occupational therapist encouraged her to tackle each new goal by simply giving it a try.

“The first time I saw her eyes light up was when she told me she was able to wrap presents,” Conley says. “She was proud of her success with that task!”

Today Sonjia walks at a good pace again, she can do laundry, she enjoys sewing and she can turn the pages of a book. Sonjia loves a good page-turner, especially if it’s a romance.

But the most complicated chapter of her stroke recovery was a story yet to be told.

Speech Therapy for Stroke

The stroke severely affected Sonjia’s ability to talk. She could formulate words and sentences in her mind, but those words couldn’t connect with her mouth. 

“Sonja’s stroke was on the left side of her brain, which is the part of the brain that controls speech and language for a majority of the population,” says speech therapist Natalie Patton. “Because of this, she had a difficult time finding her words, understanding language, reading and writing.”

At first, there were basic word-finding tasks such as naming pictures of objects, actions and places and saying a word that would complete a phrase.  She named things like fruits, vegetables and colors, one at a time.

“I was saying one word,” Sonjia says. “That’s all I could say. One word.”

She quickly progressed and then started to work on higher level word-finding tasks like synonyms, multiple definitions and forming short sentences with one to two target words. By the end of her therapy, Sonjia was able to form longer sentences consistently and carry on a conversation.

Her writing progressed the same way. She worked through the basics, and then graduated projects like grocery lists and finally sentences and paragraphs.

Sonjia becomes emotional as she remembers the very personal pain of being unable to communicate.

“It was frustrating,” she says. “I thought people looked at me strange.”

Sonjia recalls trying to order a hamburger. Reading the menu was a struggle and she couldn’t verbalize what she wanted.

But Sonjia is optimistic as she shakes off the sorrows of the past. She chooses to follow the negative effects of the stroke with the positive effects of therapy.

“I had trouble ordering for myself and reading the menu. I can do it now,” Sonjia says with well-earned confidence. “I had trouble reading books, which I love, and I can do it now. I love sewing. I couldn’t for a while, and now I can.”

Patton says Sonjia is a hard-working patient with a great support system in a husband and daughter who offer constant encouragement. According to Patton, those were keys to Sonjia’s success.

Quality of Life after a Stroke

It’s a warm day and Sonjia is in town visiting the therapy center with her daughter. They talk and lovingly tease each other as they enjoy a much different scenario than what they once shared.

Occasionally, Wallace will pause to mentally prepare what she wants to say. But it’s a subtle pause and anyone who doesn’t know her medical history would never guess she’s a stroke survivor. 

Her radiant smile says more than words can convey. 

“It’s been great watching her progress,” Rachel says. “I’ve just seen a drastic change and it’s been good change. They’ve helped her a lot and she’s reached all her goals.”

Covenant Health Therapy Centers transform lives and deliver hope to patients who have experienced debilitating injuries and illness. Individualized treatment plans are specially designed to meet each patient’s specific needs and goals.

Blackwood-Widner says they love working as a team to restore patients’ quality of life. 

“It is very rewarding to see your patients invest in themselves and work so hard to find their new normal after life changing events,” she says. “What we do here is truly special and meaningful.” 

Speech, occupational and physical therapy are available alongside several other specialized therapies. Patients can self-refer (no physician referral required), so if you think you or someone you care about could benefit from the services provided at Covenant Health Therapy Center – Lenoir City, call 865-271-6080 for more information.