Scott’s Stroke Healing Journey

My name is Iva Kelsey Phillips and I’m raising funds to support my Dad, Scott Schumaker, as he heals from a hemorrhagic stroke.

On June 17th, I received a call no one likes to get… the one where your loved one is hurting and you have to face the unknown.

Dana, my beloved stepmom received the news that he would need to be life-flighted for an emergency craniotomy.

After she shared that with me, I knew I needed to be there with him. I packed my bags and left South America on the next flight to the U.S.

After many hours, my Dad’s outcome shifted… a miracle happened and he was no longer considered a candidate for surgery. The brain swelling went down and he was held by the angels in ICU.

I arrived and spent my first nearly 24 hours with him, knowing that I could support his nervous system with co-regulation and tend to his every need.

My dad could barely speak what he wanted to say and it was hard to understand. He was very frustrated, but I was there to reassure him that as his brain heals, so will his speech.

He lost all ability to move his entire right side, but he did always have the ability to feel sensation. I knew that was a good sign.

After five days in the ICU to stabilize his blood pressure, he was released to the neuro unit for a few days.

In the hospital, he already started PT and OT. He was determined from day one. He shared clearly, “I never quit,” and never turned down a therapy opportunity.

As days passed, we all noticed improvement in his speech and his right side healing.

He was transferred to an inpatient rehab and now receives three hours of therapy a day, including OT, PT, and Speech.

I was there for the first moment he could move his foot just a bit with his mind. In his free time, he is constantly working on stretching and supporting his right side.

He’s working hard to heal. And just as I was leaving him, he took his first assisted steps. I am truly so inspired by him.

I know my Dad, and he is a hardworking man, so much that he works multiple jobs to make ends meet.

If you know him, he’s always had a heart for service. He’s an EMT, has worked as a firefighter, and if he ever sees a car crash or accident, he’s the first one to stop and help. He’s a good man and has a heart of gold.

Unfortunately, Scott cannot work and we don’t know when or if he’ll ever be able to. Dana works many jobs and is doing all she can to support him through this situation.

My brother and I have teamed together to help my dad heal, so Dana can focus on work, but as we all know, there are only so many hours in the day and she’s taking on all our dad’s bills.

Anything you can offer at this time is greatly received with so much love and appreciation, so that way my dad can focus on healing.

I believe it’s in these moments where we come together as a community to support each other through challenging times.

Thank you for reading about my dad’s stroke healing journey.

Regardless of how his journey unfolds, we know he is so truly loved by many and that’s the greatest healing of all.

Here’s a photo of his recent PT session taking assisted steps.