Marie J. Wiebe, an ordained minister for the Evangelical Covenant Church in Camarillo, California, describes her difficult recovery from a massive stroke:

My long and tiring road to recovery began in a hospital rehabilitation facility. I required maximum assistance, needing two attendants to roll me over in bed and help me to sit up. I also needed them to transfer me to my wheelchair and bedside commode. Initially, I was so weak that even keeping my eyes open for more than a few seconds required maximum effort. I was unable to swallow. Therefore, I was allowed no liquids, and was not able to brush my teeth for three months. My mouth felt like a cotton-lined cave. While I was in rehabilitation, my physical therapy occupied six hours a day for six days a week. I was constantly exhausted. And I was unable to talk with my friends because I slept through their visits!

After those first six months of therapy in the hospital and another six months at home with a live-in caregiver, I developed the ability to swallow without choking, and I was able to move without assistance. I also began to talk clearly enough to be understood. But for a while I stuttered so badly that I couldn't say my own name. Now, when I pray each day, I pray out loud. This has turned out to be my best speech therapy!

Within a couple of years, I was able to preach again, but my speech, vision, and balance made it a challenge. To make it easier, I memorized my sermons. The wonderful support I got from Ken and my children made all the difference!

It has been very hard, though, to lose my independence. I still can't dress myself, so I have to get up according to Ken's schedule. When going out, I rate places in my mind by how handy their bathrooms are.… During all of this, I couldn't have lived one hour without Jesus. Because of my handicap, I cannot live one moment, one hour, or one day on my own.

My stroke came on so suddenly—without any warning. I had never had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, nor a family history of stroke. So it took quite a bit of time for me to adjust. I felt that I had been mowed down in midstream. I had lost my independence in my prime. I had lost my life as I knew it. I felt trapped inside a body that would no longer function.

Since then, my life has changed. I have learned that God values not what I do, but the time I spend with him. He let all the "doing" fall away. Now I spend a lot of time "being" with God. I read and pray and contemplate. I even sing to God! And I am able to read for pleasure without feeling guilty anymore.