Bob Zobel 2015
A lot has changed for Bob Zobel since the morning of August 28, 2014. He woke early that morning, noticed he felt weak and things didn’t feel quite right. With the help of his wife Barb and son Larry, Bob was taken to the emergency room at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. After receiving the difficult news that he had a stroke, Bob knew he wouldn’t be getting in the combine for harvest that year as he lost the function of his right arm/hand; he couldn’t walk, stand, or hardly talk. After the discussion of where to begin with therapy, Bob & his wife knew they wanted to stay in West Point. “We had such good support and care here,” recalls Barb. Bob participated in Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy to regain his strength, his ability to communicate, and ability to complete activities of daily living. Bob’s therapists recall his positive attitude, willingness to do whatever was asked, his perseverance, and family support being only some of the wonderful things observed while he participated in PT/OT/Speech. He returned home that September, in time to only watch his harvest begin to reap. He came back for outpatient therapy until December with the same determination and positive attitude. “You have to keep trying, do what you can to the best of your ability –it’ll come. It won’t always be the way it was before, but you will compensate.” After a much-needed vacation to Arizona during the cold months in Nebraska, Bob has returned and continues to be a light in the therapy department as he and Barb come to the Wellness Center and Stroke Support Group to encourage others. “Keep going to therapy and take one day at a time,” recommends Barb. Since then, Bob has gotten behind the wheel and is driving independently. He has finally been able to climb up onto his tractor and participate in the Great Nebraska Tractor Ride as he does every year. Bob has returned to tending to his cattle with the assistance of his supportive family and has gotten his contagious smile and laugh back, once again.
