Sixty-six year old Gilmore Wheeler walked a 5K instead of a 10K Crescent City Classic on March 31, 2018, and that was an accomplishment that gave him a great sense of victory. “I’m happy. Trust, me, I’m happy.”
Mr. Wheeler suffered a stroke in 2013 and started seeing Dr. Andrea Toomer for treatment of his spasticity, which was severely limiting movement in his left arm and leg. Dr. Toomer and Mr. Wheeler’s medical team from Culicchia Neurological Clinic walked with him in the race. After a strong start, Dr. Toomer felt Mr. Wheeler was pushing just a little too hard and recommended he stop midway. He did start back up at the finish line, where Mr. Wheeler received a medal and vowed to walk in another race.
Just three days after the race, he was back in physical therapy strengthening and loosening his muscles to maximize the effects of his Baclofen treatment.
Read “Cane in hand, 66-year-old stroke victim tackles Crescent City Classic with family’s, doctor’s support,” New Orleans Advocate
Watch: Stroke survivor seeks milestone in Classic run, WWLTV
Watch: Stroke survivor competes in his first Crescent City Classic, FOX8
