With college graduation on the horizon, Elizabeth Kasper and her mom, Charise, left their Ohio home for a fun week away in 2023 doing something they both love – watching softball – when they attended the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. However, what was anticipated by them both as an opportunity to create happy memories ended up bonding them together in ways they never would have imagined.
On the way to the first game of the series, Charise experienced a catastrophic health event.
“She was driving, so we had to pull over, and I had to take over,” Elizabeth said, still visibly shaken when thinking back to the experience. “I had no idea what was happening to her.”
Demonstrating classic signs of a stroke, Charise was transported to SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City, which is designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by DNV. She spent 14 days in intensive care in the stroke unit before transferring back home to Ohio for ongoing care.
Charise’s stroke significantly impacted her mobility, coordination and speech, but she feels blessed for having survived such a significant health event, and she is determined to remain an active member of her family and her community.
After many grueling months of physical, occupational and speech therapy – which she continues in different ways into the long-term – Charise set her sights on returning to the Women’s College World Series, and she made sure to stop by St. Anthony Hospital while in Oklahoma City to thank her caregivers and show them the tremendous progress she made.
“I was absolutely determined to walk in myself,” she said, flanked this time not only by daughter Elizabeth, but also her husband, Dennis, and their son, Gabriel.
While in no small part due to her own hard work and dedication and the steadfast support of her family, Charise credits her recovery to her faith in God and the compassionate care of many medical professionals starting with the team at Saints.
“It’s safe to say not everyone in Charise’s condition walks back in here a year later to show us their amazing progress, that’s for sure,” said Dr. Jaron Marriott, a stroke specialist at St. Anthony Hospital. “She truly is remarkable.”
Not cut out for the sidelines of softball or the sidelines of life, Charise has made plans to return to her teaching career online and also to help her older daughter and her husband welcome twins – Charise and Dennis’ first grandchildren – into the family.
If you ever feel you are experiencing a stroke, remember that every second counts. Dial 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately.
