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Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Blog

“Larry’s Legs” Going the Distance

On July 26, 2017, Larry Koehn was at a job site retrofitting part of Phoenix North High School that was to become a culinary education area. He was not feeling great, felt a bit dizzy and went into the men’s restroom. Larry was found unconscious, half in/half out of one of the bathroom stalls, by one of the other tradesmen. When he “came to” several months later in rehab, his memory of the event was gone; all that remained were bits and pieces of memories during the several months of inpatient rehab.

“Many people don’t know about all the free programs and services offered by The Brain Alliance,” says Larry. “I’m convinced that one of these programs [Think Tall—Don’t Fall] directly helped to prevent me from having another injury.”

“Larry’s Legs” Going the Distance

On July 26, 2017, Larry Koehn was at a job site retrofitting part of Phoenix North High School that was to become a culinary education area. He was not feeling great, felt a bit dizzy and went into the men’s restroom. Larry was found unconscious, half in/half out of one of the bathroom stalls, by one of the other tradesmen. When he “came to” several months later in rehab, his memory of the event was gone; all that remained were bits and pieces of memories during the several months of inpatient rehab.

“Many people don’t know about all the free programs and services offered by The Brain Alliance,” says Larry. “I’m convinced that one of these programs [Think Tall—Don’t Fall] directly helped to prevent me from having another injury.”

Larry had a hemorrhagic stroke and spent the next 10 days unconscious in an ICU. He was then put into rehab where horrendous care had him fight even harder for his life while battling pneumonia, sepsis, and atrial fibrillation.

By the beginning of October, he was strong enough to come home in a wheelchair, with a trach, feeding tube and other medical attachments. The company he worked for, McCarthy Building Companies, and other trades, eased his return by retrofitting the 1st floor bathroom to be ADA-compliant and raised the first floor sunken living to one level. They even built double railings on their curved stairway, enabling him to reach the 2nd floor.

To this day, Larry & his wife Marti are beyond thankful to McCarthy for the adaptation of their home.  With 20 years of service, Larry retired from the company one year to the date of his stroke. 

Larry continued with a variety of outpatient therapies. More importantly, Marti was an active caregiver, helping him every step of the way. “When we would go to the movies or a restaurant, I’d have to walk him to the bathroom, because he wouldn’t be able to find his way back.”

The couple has been together since they “officially” met in 1980 in Tempe, Arizona.  Marti knew of Larry as he was in the same high school class as her older brother and a good friend of someone who lived on her block in the Chicago suburb, Palatine.  By 1984, they were married and living in Gilbert, AZ.

Today, they acknowledge that recovery hasn’t been easy. Marti says, “We’ve both been thrown into new roles. It’s been our life for the past six years and it’s a lot of work.” However, along with other stroke support groups and therapies, much of this transition has been eased by their involvement with the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona.

“Many people don’t know about all the free programs and services offered by The Brain Alliance,” says Larry. “I’m convinced that one of these programs directly helped to prevent me from having another injury.  I was walking around an uneven property in Colorado.  At one point, it dropped two steps and I’m sure it was because of my being in Stand Tall, Don’t Fall (virtual support group), I didn’t tumble.” 

He couples that with training twice weekly with Marti and her trainer, Andi.  “It wasn’t pretty but there was a HUGE sigh of relief from onlookers when I got steady!!   

The Koehns have also come to realize that there are plateaus in stroke recovery. “You can be on one level for a long time,” says Larry. “It’s undetermined when you make that next leap, which can be frustrating.”

Given all they have gone through, both say he’s doing fairly well. The ever-optimistic Larry admits, “I have good and not great days. I don’t have aphasia and can find my way home when I go on bike rides – I use a trike – as well as back from the bathroom when we go to a movie.”

Marti adds, “His short-term memory is non-existent and I make him work for everything. I give him hints but I rarely give him the answer. As his caregiver, I know this helps him be more high-functioning.”

These advancements have led them to this year’s Run, Walk & Roll. In 2022, the 5K was walked rapidly by Marti, Larry’s older sister Sharon, her husband Art, their daughter Julie, Larry’s youngest brother Tom and his wife Rebecca, plus dear friends Suzy & Yvonne. This year, most of the 2022 team, Larry’s Legs, will do the 1-Mile Fun Run. Although he still needs a cane due to his struggles with balance and neuropathy, he’ll be out there, leading the way.

This year’s supportive walking squad includes many of the same as last year – Marti, Sharon, Art, Tom, Rebecca as well as six of their grandchildren, Suzy, Yvonne, and newcomers Tish, Gary, and Janet.  Larry also did some fundraising for the Brain Injury Alliance and gives many thanks to Amador, Kathy, Shannon, Lori, Sue, Judy, Dave, Linda, Pete, Glenn, & Mary. 

He explains that the team name is very meaningful. “Larry’s Legs is symbolic of support that’s far-reaching. I couldn’t do any of this without everyone’s support. This is also my way of giving back to the Brain Injury Alliance.”

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ALLIANCE OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona:

  • Works with Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
  • Houses Arizona Brain Health Resource Center
  • Hosts virtual and in-person support groups for survivors and families
  • Has Statewide Opioid Use Disorder & Cognitive Impairment Response team with peer support, training, and family wraparound services
  • Facilitates Brain Health Advisory Council
  • Manages statewide Help Line: 888-500-9165

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