Newlywed Jordan Embraces New Beginnings Following Stroke At 29

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A beautiful fall day marked the beginning of Jordan and Nico D.’s life together as they celebrated their wedding surrounded by family and friends.

However, everything would change two months later. While driving to work as a child life specialist and facility dog handler at a hospital in South Bend, Ind., Jordan had sudden and extreme pain on the side of her head.

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Though Jordan was only 29 at the time, she suspected she was experiencing a stroke. Fortunately, she was able to get to the emergency room quickly. Within hours she was in surgery, followed by six weeks in intensive care.

“Jordan is the absolute kindest, most driven person, and is full of life and love,” said Nico. “As with so many things, I have never bet against her coming out on top.”

Buoyed by a fighting spirit, a bright smile, and the incredible support of Nico, her mom, Allisa, and her dad, John, Jordan came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for her stroke recovery, which included two multi-week inpatient stays at the flagship hospital in Chicago.

As a healthcare professional herself, Jordan was already familiar with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s leading reputation in caring for patients with the most severe, complex conditions.

The hospital’s pioneering approach focuses on early, high-intensity therapy to help patients like Jordan achieve better outcomes.

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The stroke caused Jordan to lose mobility in her right arm and leg. It also caused aphasia, a condition that can occur suddenly after a stroke or brain injury that impacts a person’s ability to speak and understand language, reading and writing.

Through intensive physical therapy, Jordan worked on building strength and regaining her ability to walk with the use of a cane. In addition to other interventions, her physical therapy sessions included practicing walking up and down stairs so she could return to living in her multi-story home in Indiana with Nico and her dogs.

“Each day, she made progress — little hallelujah moments,” said Allisa.

Jordan’s occupational therapy included time in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Activities for Daily Living (ADL) studio, where she practiced completing home tasks like taking items in and out of a refrigerator and loading the dishwasher.

Speech-language pathologists helped Jordan to make gains in speech and reading skills.

In the midst of her inpatient stay, she even had an opportunity to reunite with her beloved facility dog, Micky.

Now home, Jordan continues to recover from her stroke with the support of Nico, Allisa, John and their family and friends who have rallied behind her every step of the way.

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Stroke can occur at any age. Learn more about the impact of stroke on young people — and the potential for recovery.