Community rallies around teen stroke victim
Jordan McCoy is currently attending New River Community College. Photo courtesy of Ryan McCoy.
Jordan McCoy woke up Feb. 25 feeling much different than he ever had before.
The 19-year-old awoke unable to use the right side of his body or clearly communicate. Everything he attempted to say sounded like “gibberish,” said McCoy’s mother, Tracy McCoy.
Jordan McCoy was taken to Carilion New River Valley Clinic in Radford, where doctors concluded he had suffered a stroke. He was immediately shipped to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital to begin his road to recovery.
While much of this path may still be foggy, what’s clear is that the former Christiansburg High School athlete has plenty of people to cheer him on.
Following many tests, Tracy McCoy said they believe the stroke was caused by a condition called patent foramen ovale, a small hole in the heart which allows the blood to bypass the lungs. This limits the blood’s oxygen content and makes clotting far more likely.
She said eventually the condition would have to be treated, but for now, her son’s rehabilitation is the primary concern.
Tracy McCoy said Thursday that Jordan had gone from being able to do nothing in the two previous days, to being able to feed himself and even smile using his entire mouth.
She said he was already regaining the use of his right side, and he had even sent a text to his girlfriend at some point Wednesday evening.
While Tracy McCoy called the progress her son has made amazing, what she said was really overwhelming to her was the outpouring of messages and prayers and the more than 200 visitors she estimated her son has received.
They had to put a sign on his hospital room door in an attempt to funnel the steady flow of friends stopping by.
“I knew Jordan was well liked, but I didn’t know it was like this,” she said.
Jordan McCoy’s older brother, Ryan, is one of few who get to bypass the funneling process.
Ryan McCoy has been by his brother’s side almost non-stop since Saturday. He created a Facebook page dedicated to documenting and informing friends of his brother’s progress.
Though there has been much progress in Jordan McCoy’s first few days, Tracy McCoy said she is well aware of the long road ahead.
Currently, the plan is for Jordan McCoy to soon be moved to an inpatient care facility for rehabilitation and then later moved home where he will receive in-home care to continue aiding his recovery.
To help offset some of the many medical expenses, Christiansburg track coach Shane Guynn helped set up the Jordan McCoy Benefit Fund at Wells Fargo Bank in Christiansburg.
Guynn said in an email that Jordan McCoy was a member of the Christiansburg track team for three years, and that he feels confident the young man will take on this challenge with the same resilient, humorous and positive spin that has characterized Jordan McCoy in the past.
Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo bank under the Jordan McCoy Benefit Fund or mailed to:
Wells Fargo Bank
Attn: Billie Linkous
4 East Main St.
Christiansburg, VA 24073
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My 18 year old stepson had a massive stroke on January 1st, he had to have bone flap surgery to save his life and has left side paralysis. His was also believed to be from a hole in his heart although they can be certain. I have been by his side with his either since it hapneed but had to return to work this week so that I could afford to send his mother money for food while she is with him in rehab. a stroke is a life changing event for all involved. It has changed my life forever. I want so much to be with him and his mother but finances want allow. i plan to go visit in Atlanta from central Florida whenever possible. He also has a donation fund at wells Fargo bank under sawyer Weston dockery. Our prayers are with Jordan and his family. stay strong and positive and know that cant is no longer a word! god bless.
Comment by Aaron good — January 23, 2013 @ 11:07 am
I’m sorry to hear about Jordan’s recent stroke. I’m 16 years old. I had a stroke when I was 3 1/2 years old that paralized my left side. I have been doing therapy and going through the recovery process since I had my stroke in Oct. 2000. I would like very much to chat with Jorden on facebook and/or email, if he would like. I think it’s very important that people who know what I feels like to be me, have other people like me to share their thoughts or if they have any questions maybe I can help them. Over the last ten years I thought that I was the only one, but I am finding out more and more everyday that we are not alone. I hope to meet you some day and to become friends, and that you get feeling better real soon.
Sincerely,
Ashley S.
Comment by Ashley Steinhaus — March 11, 2013 @ 9:45 pm