Through rain, sleet or stroke, Kim Spight pushes forward
Right place, right time but for the wrong reason. Such was the case for an Irving woman who suffered a life-threatening stroke a mere half mile away from Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Sunday, November 24, 2024, started like any other day for Kim Spight— with church at the center of her day. Her car was being used by her daughter, Sharnay, so she decided to take the train.
Spight was planning to ride the DART Green Line all the way to downtown Dallas. One of the stops is close to St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she faithfully attends. This was a first, as she later pointed out, “I never take the train to church.”
But unfortunately for Spight, it was a day of more than one first.
Church had to wait
An otherwise harmless train ride to church nearly turned deadly when she suddenly started to feel uncomfortable. She couldn’t diagnose the issue but knew something was wrong.
Fear began to mount as she started to ask herself: “Did I eat something this morning? Did I take something?”
Feelings of numbness on her left side followed, causing Spight to conduct a self-check using her cell phone. “I took out my phone,” Spight remembered. “I can’t be having a stroke – I still look the same.”
But looks were deceiving. Spight had unknowingly suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a weakened blood vessel leaks or bursts in the brain, causing bleeding.
After collapsing from her train seat, another warning sign identified by the stroke warning acronym BEFAST, the precariousness of her condition became clear. Help was administered and she was quickly taken to Parkland. Life-threatening stroke aside, the only other major thing on her mind: St. Paul United Methodist Church.
“I was a little scared, but I was more so upset that I was going to miss church, because I’m a person of my word and told people that I was on my way,” she recalled.
Still, she felt her faith never left her side. In fact, she believes it was by God’s grace that she was so close to Parkland—less than a five-minute drive away.
“God was totally watching over. I could literally see the hospital from where it [the stroke] happened.”
Parkland cabin fever
An MRI, CT scan and angiogram were all conducted to determine the severity of her stroke. Spight remembers being coherent. Talkative. The physical ailments were a different story. Not only was she experiencing numbness on her left side—but she was also completely immobilized after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her knee.
Osteoarthritis, triggered by her fall on the train, is a degenerative joint disease that breaks down cartilage, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness and limited movement.
Defined by her autonomy and self-sufficiency, Spight learned that she had to relinquish control and accept help. “You’re in a hospital and depend on someone to do everything for you, your independence is gone.”
She spent 32 days in Parkland— through Thanksgiving and Christmas—all while still being unable to bear weight on her ankle. Her time was split between the intensive, progressive and acute care units as well as inpatient rehab. Three separate floors.
Her faith and patience were tested most during this time. She experienced periods of denial, anger, depression and bargaining until she landed on acceptance. “I had to accept the fact that my life was going to be different,” Spight said. “But it will be just as, if not more rewarding as it was before.”
After being wheeled through countless floors and hallways, she came away with something unexpected—a deepened respect for healthcare workers. Her time as a patient gave her a fuller, more compassionate perspective.
“Parkland saved my life,” Spight passionately expressed. “To be on the receiving end of such great care makes you more appreciative of all the roles in the hospital.”
Surrounded by love
Physical and Occupational therapy presented its own challenges as she worked to regain control of her arm, hand and mobility. The exercises, aimed at restoring the strength and flexibility of these body parts, were so excruciating that it moved her to tears. She even jokes that “the whole floor heard her,” because of how loud her screams were.
“It was unbelievably painful,” Spight shared. “It felt like I was being stabbed with daggers because the nerves were coming back.”
During this time, she leaned on her daughter, friends, loved ones and even the CEO of Parkland Health for strength. Visited by sorority sisters and church members, she was endlessly showered with love.
Her daughter, in Spight’s words, “held it down,” as she cared of her three dogs and other home-related responsibilities. The biggest surprise came when Fred Cerise, MD, MPH, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkland Health started a weekly visit routine, highlighted by a special appearance on Christmas Day.
“People really thought that I was friends with the CEO,” she said. “He made time to visit me, and it showed me that his title didn’t matter. That really went a long way.”
Inspiration for others
December 22 marked the first time she walked in almost a month, using a brace as a stabilizer. The moment was captured on her phone but remains forever cherished in her heart.
“It wasn’t pretty, but I’ll never forget it.”
After being discharged on the day after Christmas, Spight recognized that this was just the beginning. Several months have passed and recovery hasn’t been pretty—especially managing the post-stroke expectations. Instead of wishfully hoping to return to 100% like once before, Spight has now adjusted her goal to 80%. That achievement could be sooner rather than later as a friend recently assessed that she seems to be about 70-75% of her former self.
Understanding that minor limitations will persist, she believes that her stroke only slowed her down temporarily—not stopped her entirely.
And she continues to make strides—now back to living on her own, completing chores around the house and doing it all on her own two feet, with the support of a walking cane. Lifestyle changes have become a priority, too.
Her journey has become bigger than her, turning into a source of inspiration for others. Sharing her story on Instagram and Facebook has opened a portal of admiration and connectivity that further encourages Spight. “People were thanking me for sharing and being so open, they said I was motivating them.”
The digital prayers and flowers from her followers paid dividends as she works to put the past behind her. She believes the best is still to come and has a reinvigorated sense of purpose and zeal in her life.
“There’s a reason why I was spared, there’s a reason why I only had motor deficits,” Spight confidently professed. “If that reason is for me to tell my story to help others see the light at the end of the tunnel—then [God] use me.”
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