Physical therapist Christine Mahler guides photography senior Paige Moore Friday during her last physical training session at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. Moore suffered an acute stroke July 18 and has been rebuilding her motor skills. (The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran)

“They said it’s not like someone getting struck by lightning. It’s like someone getting struck by a meteor,” said her father, Tom Moore.

The 29-year-old photography senior suffered an acute stroke inside her Dallas apartment, where she lived alone. Police found her alive 24 hours later after her parents became worried.

That night, a surgeon performed a craniotomy to save her life, and Paige lay in a coma at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas for one month. The surgeon said she had a slim chance for survival.

“He said at that point that we might be looking at turning off the machines – very hard for parents to hear,” said her mother, Sharon Moore.

Over the next three months, Paige recovered rapidly beyond the doctors’ expectations. She is now learning how to speak again and walk without assistance.

“She’s coming back,” Sharon Moore said. “They’re pretty certain that she can get most everything back.”

Meanwhile, photography senior Dia Peterson took Paige’s place as president of the campus photography club, Focus, and spent last semester planning an exhibit in her honor.

“I’m inspired by her constantly,” Peterson said. “She doesn’t even know.”

Peterson met Paige in an intermediate photography class in spring 2007, and they became friends after spending hours in the dark room together. Peterson described Paige as honest, sweet, independent and self-taught.

The exhibit Return to Grace showcases Paige’s previous work, including photographs from a class trip to Italy in summer 2007. Photography professor Kenda North said that her work has developed considerably since then with richer image projections layered on different surfaces.

“You could see them and say, ‘That’s Paige’s work,’ ” she said.

North recalled a slice of Paige’s positive personality while in Italy. The class would visit a place, and Paige would say, “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.” Then they would go somewhere else, and she would say, "This is the most beautiful place I've ever been."

Peterson said that after the stroke, Paige received an immediate outpour of support from friends, many from the university’s photography program.

Sharon Moore, who never left her daughter’s side, kept a tablet. Everyone who came to visit Paige in the hospital signed it and wrote words of encouragement. The book is now almost full.

The doctors, therapists and nursing staff built a personal relationship with the Moores during Paige’s six months of recovery.

“It’s a very wonderful family here,” Sharon Moore said. “Even the receptionist got to know us.”

The stroke paralyzed Paige’s right arm, and occupational therapist Connie Thomason said she’ll never be right-handed again. She took photos for the first time two weeks ago with her left hand.

“She’s got to learn how to adapt,” Thomason said. “We need her to buy into that she’s a different person now. I don’t know if she’s accepted it.”

Paige finished her last day in outpatient therapy Friday at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and began treatment Monday at Pate Rehabilitation in Dallas, where she received a three-month scholarship.

Peterson said Paige, now 30, plans to return to school next fall and finish her degree. She would have graduated this semester.

“She’s going to have to work harder than she ever has before,” Peterson said.

Seeing Paige’s experience has changed Peterson’s outlook on life.

“I look at all my friends differently,” she said. “It makes you put a closer tie to people. I don’t think we’re indestructible anymore.”

Related Media

Be first to comment this article

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved