Stroke Awareness - WTOC
May 6, 2026 — Timothy James is a stroke survivor who knows the power of inpatient rehabilitation.
“I was one of those people,” James told WTOC 11. “I was eager. When you're sitting on the bedside and you've got your wife saying, 'please don't leave me,' and your mother sitting in the corner saying, 'we're not doing a funeral,' you have to make the decision to choose life or death. I chose life.”
James spent three hours a day, five days a week in intensive therapy to recover after his stroke. He credits the clinical team and therapy he received at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah for his ability to return to the activities he once enjoyed.
“I was emotional every day, waking up at 6 in the morning,” James said. “They're getting you ready, teaching you basic skills like how to brush your teeth again, how to stand - common things.”
Dr. Nicholas Vlahos oversaw James' care while at Encompass Health Savannah.
“By the end of his rehab stay with us, we had him up and walking independently by himself,” Vlahos said. “So, with a lot of hard work and dedication from both the patient and the Encompass Health team, we were able to get some really fantastic results.”
Vlahos said if a stroke is suspected, it's important to receive medical attention quickly and start rehabilitation for a stronger recovery.
“It starts in the hospital,” he said. “As soon as the patient is able to tolerate therapy, they're starting to do it. The period of time when we see the most improvement after a stroke is within the first six months, and the fastest and most significant recovery typically happens within the first 90 days. So, it's really crucial that patients get early initiation and mobilization therapy to maximize their recovery.”
James now attends Encompass Health Savannah's stroke support group so he can stay connected to stroke survivors and continue learning.
“It's rare that you get an organization that really believes it sometimes more than the patient,” James said. “They're not miracle workers, but they're just what the doctor ordered. These people want you to be better in life. They're dedicated to pushing you and making you grab it. So, every time I can, I come back and thank them. I owe them everything. They saved my life.”