Maxcette Mark experienced a life-changing moment when she found herself alone in her apartment with an excruciating headache and no control of her arms. She called her mom and said, ‘Mom, my head,’ and described the fear she felt as she scooted outside, crying and yelling for help.

Mark woke up at AdventHealth to the news that she had suffered a stroke. She began rehabilitation, and that’s when Leslie Miller entered her life. Miller, a stroke survivor herself, is making a huge impact on countless patients at AdventHealth, one visit at a time.

Leslie Miller’s Story

Miller told Mark her story, which began in the middle of playing a board game with her family. She felt like a sword was going right up the back of her neck, into her brain, and it was like the worst headache. She was airlifted to AdventHealth, and brain surgery soon followed.

Miller’s recovery was compounded by bouts of depression. She found the key to bouncing back was giving back. She is part of a peer support program at AdventHealth, meeting with patients suddenly thrust into a new reality. Miller tries to give them her survivor’s perspective and resources that she wishes she’d had.

The emotional support comes in many different ways. One of her recent patients, Santa, couldn’t really talk after his brain injury. His biggest concern was that he was not going to be able to make all the smiles on the children during Christmas time. Miller helped Santa spread Christmas cheer for the hospital staff.

Making a Difference

Miller makes sure patients don’t walk alone at AdventHealth. She gets to go in and talk to the patients, giving them the information she wishes she’d had and some resources so nobody has to go through what she went through for those first two years.

Miller’s work is having a huge impact on the patients. She was almost in tears when she looked at the great impact it’s having on people. They really enjoy the conversations, and it helps them think about their healing differently, what things they can do to expedite their healing.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.