Brain Train Rolls into Town
by KFYR TV Juli McDonald
Posted on 8/27/2010
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The Brain Train is pulling into Bismarck this weekend.
St. Alexius Medical Center is asking the community to get on board with the event, which aims to raise awareness of brain disorders. Medical reporter Juli McDonald met with a man who is learning to live again after suffering a brain injury.
Tom Hesford has always been a leader. He’s raised four children, served as principal of Bismarck High and then St. Mary’s Grade School, and all the while schooled opponents on the golf course. But on January 9, Herford’s life changed when he suffered a massive stroke and emergency brain surgery. He knew what had happened the moment his eyes opened.
“Then I looked up and I saw my wife in tears and my children in tears and I assumed the worst, which was pretty close to correct,” Hesford says.
Since January, Hesford has re-learned how to live. After 7 and a half months, he’s walking again. He is most thankful for the support of his family, whom he calls his salvation.
“The spouses who take care of their mates when they’ve become incapacitated go above and beyond the `til death do us part.` God bless them all. What an incredible thing marriage is.”
Hesford recovered at St. Alexius Medical Center for months, and now the hospital is piloting an event to support such conditions.
“The Brain Train is a community awareness event that we are planning to raise awareness about brain diseases and disorders and injury prevention of the brain. Brain diseases and disorders are quite prevalent,” Jolene Engelhart, the St. Alexius Neuroscience Coordinator says.
Hesford thinks an event like the Brain Train is crucial for communities, to educate people and also to encourage brain injured patients.
“So these young people can continue to get the care they need so they can continue to lead productive lives because there is so much they can contribute in our communities despite these accidents.”
Hesford says well wishes, cards and visits from friends and students past and present have helped him get here. But he says he’ll feel best when he’s back on the golf course.