Marilyn O.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
By: Lori K.

Survivor

I am nominating my sister, Marilyn O., who suffered a stroke from an overdose of insulin by injecting herself with her husband's (now deceased) medication while attempting suicide. She resides in a nursing care center with stroke related muscle spasticity and likely will for the rest of her life. The therapists at the center work with her daily and she has shown great improvement. She can now walk unaided (slowly) on level, smooth ground. She feeds herself with adapted silverware and has recently (hallelujah) been able to take herself to the bathroom, although she requires help with basic hygiene and dressing. Her hands remain almost completely clenched. Her speech is improving, although her jaw is fairly immobile, but not to the point of feeding tubes. She is 55 years old and I love her. No matter what else has happened or what will, she remains my big sister.