“I’m proud to be where I’m at,” Terry Shirley told WTVA.
A January 2025 stroke left half of Terry Shirley’s body paralyzed, beginning a months-long medical ordeal for the Tupelo resident that included multiple surgeries, a brain bleed, and a blood clot. WTVA reported that after spending 16 days in intensive care—which included battling a high fever reaching 104 and 105 degrees—he began working to regain his independence at the Regional Rehabilitation Center in Tupelo.
The recovery process requires attending speech, occupational, and physical therapy sessions for an hour twice a week. While he still relies on a walker to get around, his condition has steadily improved. “Blessed to be where I’m at. Thanks to everyone here, I’m getting myself back,” he told WTVA.
The medical challenges also impacted his wife, Melanie Shirley, who suffered a back injury after a fall that aggravated an old fracture. She is currently receiving water therapy at the Regional Rehabilitation Center.
Despite managing her own pain, she remains a constant source of support for her husband. “He wants to get there, and I fully believe he will,” she told WTVA. “I mean God’s been there every step of the way.”
The Shirleys receive their treatments at the Regional Rehabilitation Center at no cost to them. Community donations and fundraising efforts help maintain these free services for patients throughout the region. To support the facility and its mission, WTVA will host the Celebration of Hope telethon on Nov. 15.
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