When Hilary Price-Coulter woke up with a severe headache at her home in Arkansas, she and her husband, Steve, assumed it was another migraine.
“She has a history of migraines,” Steve said. “We had breakfast and coffee and then about ten minutes later she just said she doesn’t feel right and needs help. She became a little incoherent and kind of fainted back. That’s when I called E.M.S.”
A sudden aneurysm soon led to emergency surgery, beginning a journey neither of them expected. One that would require trust, patience, and the steady presence of a devoted caregiver.
A Sudden Turning Point — and a Caregiver Steps In
As Hilary transitioned from Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ specialized stroke program, Steve became a vital partner in her care. The physician-led care team trained him in techniques he would use every day.
“When Hilary first arrived to us, she was using a lift to get to her shower and commode chair and her wheelchair,” Sarah Synek, OTD, OTR/L, Madonna occupational therapist, said. “We weren’t standing. One of the first things we did was lift transfers and we trained Steve on how to do those so that he could help care for her.”
Steve embraced each new responsibility, always asking how he could best support Hilary’s progress and when to step forward or step back. His presence became a constant source of reassurance.
Small Milestones, Big Meaning
Early victories were humble but significant.
“We moved in on July 2, and she wasn’t able to sit up,” Steve said. “But our big milestone came July 9 when she was able to sit on the edge of a table for probably 10 seconds by herself.”
For Hilary, milestones meant reclaiming independence.
“I wanted to be able to go to the bathroom by myself and eat a meal by myself and be able to talk and make decisions,” she said. “Just be as back to me as possible.”
Rebuilding Strength Together
As Hilary continued the hard work of therapy, Steve and her Madonna team remained by her side, encouraging, cheering and believing.
“I think I’ve gained more confidence in what I can do and what I can try to do, even if I’m scared or tired or hurting,” Hilary said. “They’ve taught me when to really try my hardest through the fear and the pain and the exhaustion.”
Specialized technology like the body-weight supported treadmill helped her regain movement.
“The Lokomat was so challenging,” she said, “but it really got my body moving and working and putting weight on it.”
Her occupational therapist also introduced the Armeo®Power, which helped her reconnect with her left hand, affectionately known as “Lefty.”
“Hilary is unique because she had movement in it, but she wasn’t aware of it,” Synek said. “So, we incorporated that joke throughout our therapy sessions.”
For Hilary, the robotic device became unexpectedly motivating.
“I couldn’t always make Lefty do what he needed to,” she laughed, “but it was such a fun, unique, cool thing with fun games to make you work hard and encourage you to keep going. I wanted all the coins and all the water drops.”
Regaining Focus and Orientation
Therapists also worked on attention and cognitive function, areas Hilary found challenging in the beginning.
“She’s such a highly intelligent person at baseline,” Annalise Connolly, MS CCC-SLP, Madonna speech-language pathologist, said, “but attention was difficult and that had been amplified.”
Humor and patience became key tools, especially during moments of confusion.
“Getting her to remember that she was not at Wimbledon, just because she had been watching tennis on television, that was tough,” she recalled. “But once that improved, that really helped.”
A Team Effort, Lifted by Love
Throughout every step, from transfers to therapy sessions to long days of recovery, Steve remained the steady force beside Hilary.
“Steve did such a phenomenal job,” Connolly said. “He really wanted to figure out where he could best serve her and how he could best serve her.”
For Hilary, the compassion of both her care team and her caregiver made all the difference.
“They’ve been such a blessing,” she said. “They’re all very patient and kind and helpful and supportive. And without them, I know I wouldn’t be where I am.”
As Hilary looks ahead, she carries strength, resilience and deep gratitude for the person who never left her side.
“Steve shows up every day, even through all the hard stuff, he’s still my great rock and loving, sweet husband,” she said. “I’m really blessed and thankful for that.”