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 Chad Hickman
My wellness journey began for me in the summer of 1976. I was just three years old. I was diagnosed with two cancerous brain tumors; less than 10% chance of survival. I spent a long time relearning to swallow, roll, walk, and talk. I heard many people in the medical field say that I may never learn – they did not know the strength of my spirit!
In 1994 I was having many seizures a day. One day I fell hitting my head. I woke up with tubes down my throat; I was in intensive care. I spent a great deal of time again in Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center. I was back to learning to swallow, walk, and talk – all of the basics. Again, I heard many doctors say they were not sure if this time I would be able to overcome these obstacles. I have to admit I was much more tired this time around. Many times daily I would have to pick myself up and try so hard to continue down that path. As much as I tried, my body was beginning to not listen to my spirit.
In 1998, at the age of 26, I found this incredible oasis in the mountains at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. There I had a procedure done called a hemispherectomy. This procedure literally took away the part of my brain that was creating the seizures. The tests leading up to this as well as the surgery certainly took more of my strength, but again, not my spirit.
As time passed my journey became very hard. My spirit was still there but I so much needed some extra help. I heard about a wonderful place called Tamarac. It was just what I needed. When I started at Tamarac, my body was not strong; my spirit had lost some of the glow. I am taking classes that keep my mind away from the pain and allow my body and spirit to grow. The instructors of the classes teach me to properly work with my body and the citizens in the class provide me with the fun and social life I so much need. I have the greatest personal trainer that is always there and never gives up on me; challenging my body to keep it strong as well as making me feel proud of what I can accomplish. I am taking advantage of the wonderful physical therapy department that is helping me come back from a small detour on my journey. The fitness guides and all of the staff are so special. They impact my life daily as well as so many other people.
I now stand on the ledge of the mountain I have been climbing and can see a forest of Tamarack trees; tall, strong, and beautiful, representing everyone that make up the family of Tamarac the Center for Health and Well-Being.
Written by Jackie Hickman – Chad’s Mother
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