Ten years later, a stroke survivor continues to share hope

A decade after a life-changing stroke and challenging rehabilitation journey, a former patient at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is still finding meaningful ways to give back to those on the road to recovery.

For the past 10 years, Eric Gustafson of Bellingham has marked his stroke anniversary not only as a celebration of his own progress, but as an opportunity to encourage others facing health challenges. Recently, he and his wife, Rebecca Wiswell, sent a bouquet of flowers to the Rehabilitation Services department, recognizing the physical, occupational and speech therapists who helped him during his recovery.

The gesture reflects a tradition the couple has maintained since Eric completed inpatient rehabilitation. Almost every week, they return to PeaceHealth St. Joseph with what they call a “Cuppa Cheer” – a small floral arrangement delivered in a decorated cup. They drop them off at the Volunteer Desk in the lobby with a request for the Rehab team: Choose a patient who could benefit from a little extra encouragement and deliver the Cuppa Cheer to the bedside.

The goal is simple: to brighten someone’s day and remind them that recovery is possible.

“As therapists, we don’t always get to see where a patient’s journey leads after they leave our care,” says Rehabilitation Services Manager Carol Lucero, who worked on the unit when Eric was a patient. “Having the opportunity to see his continued recovery and his dedication to lifting up others has been one of the greatest gifts for our team.”

Eric spent a week in the critical care unit following his stroke in 2016, then another four on the inpatient rehabilitation unit. Early on, he recalls telling one of his neurologists that his goal was to be able to eventually walk up the stairs at Rebecca’s Fairhaven flower shop.

“The doctor told me, ‘Don’t expect too much,’” Eric recalls.

That didn’t sit well with him. Later that week Julia Creech, one of his physical therapy assistants, came into his room with a very different message. She told him to hold on to hope and assured him he was going to recover and do great. He proved her right.

“That word ‘hope’ is really important in all of this,” says Eric, a retired Sedro-Woolley Middle School science teacher. “That goal was posted in my room and I looked at it many times every day I was there. I think it was an example of not knowing it was supposedly not possible according to one person so I just did it with the practical support and encouragement of everyone in the rehab ward, and I do mean everyone. They never let me doubt that I could achieve my goals. That was priceless and we will be forever grateful.”

One day near the end of his stay, another therapist, on her day off, brought in carnations for all of the patients on the unit.

“That little touch of humanity really resonated with me,” he says—and it planted the seed for the Cuppa Cheer. “It means a lot to me to ‘pay it forward’ and hopefully help other patients hold on to that same sense of hope that got me through this.”

Eric and Rebecca personally create the arrangements, many of them from flowers grown in their own garden. This in itself became part of his therapy, Rebecca says, helping him regain small motor skills and strength.

The couple’s visits paused only during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but once restrictions eased, they resumed the routine.

For the therapists who helped Eric along the way, there may be no greater compliment than seeing a former patient thriving and using his experience to lift others. Besides Julia and Carol, three caregivers who treated Eric 10 years ago still work on the unit: Ian Metzgen-Ohlswager, physical therapist; Andrea Figueira, occupational therapist; and Jessica Hughes, speech pathologist.

“Each Cuppa Cheer is a message of hope from someone who has been where our patients are today,” Carol adds. “For our team, it serves as a powerful reminder of why we do this work and the lasting impact rehabilitation can have on a person’s life.”

Rebecca says she and Eric will forever be grateful for the compassion, encouragement and expert care received at PeaceHealth St. Joseph – including the support she felt personally as the spouse of a stroke survivor.

“The gift this staff gave us is just immeasurable,” she says. “This tradition is one small way we can say thank you and share that hope with others.”