Steven’s Progress, One Step at a Time

Steven Wilson has learned that progress can take time, and sometimes the biggest changes are built through the small things you keep doing every day.

In January 2020, Steven’s life changed significantly. At just 47 years old, he experienced a severe stroke that left the entire left side of his body paralyzed. He also faced changes to his speech and memory and needed significant help with everyday activities. At the time, there were many unknowns, including whether he would walk again.

Before his stroke, Steven managed helicopter rotor blade operations and was known for his strong work ethic. More importantly, he is a proud father of three. His children have remained an important source of motivation as he has worked toward greater independence.

The process has taken years, but Steven has continued to make progress.

For years, he relied on a wheelchair as part of his everyday life. Today, he is walking nearly independently, has regained much of his memory and daily function, and continues working out and getting stronger.

“Don’t give up. Keep going every day,” Steven said.

Steven has done the work, but he has had people beside him along the way. His mother, Lydia, has been a steady source of support, along with his caregivers, Glenda Bivvens and Brenda.

Glenda has seen Steven’s progress firsthand.

“Since I’ve been with him, he’s gotten out of the wheelchair, and now he does all this walking,” she shared. “He just keeps expanding. Everything he does, he just expands on all the time.”

When Steven was asked what helped him through some of the difficult parts of his recovery, he pointed to Glenda’s determination and encouragement.

“For me, it was her will,” he said.

For Glenda, that kind of support is what drew her to caregiving in the first place. Her caregiving career began around 2008 while she was helping a friend who was living with kidney failure and undergoing dialysis. One day, her friend looked at her and said, “This is what you’re supposed to do.”

Glenda took those words seriously. She promised her friend she would continue helping others and has now spent approximately 17 years as a caregiver, including nearly two years with Total Care Connections.

“Caregiving is not for everybody,” Glenda said. “But when I found caregiving, I found what I was supposed to do.”

Since 2020, Total Care Connections has supported Steven and his family as his needs have changed. The goal has remained straightforward: provide the support Steven needs while giving him the space to do more for himself as he becomes stronger.

Steven’s progress belongs to Steven. It can be seen in the larger milestones, like moving beyond his wheelchair, but also in the everyday changes—walking a little farther, remembering more, completing more of his routine independently, and continuing to work toward what comes next.

Today, Steven is doing things that once carried a great deal of uncertainty. His family and caregivers remain beside him, providing support that can adjust as he continues moving forward.

And Steven keeps doing what he has done throughout his recovery: taking it one day, and one step, at a time.

We invite you to watch Steven and Glenda share their story in their own words.