Page 48 Healthy Cells Magazine Peoria July 2014

making a healthy change

B
rent H. was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Urbana, IL. He
attended Illinois State University as a football walk-on, and
then completed his masters degree in public administra-
tion at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He worked as an
assistant city manager in Portage, MI and Clayton, MO, then as
city manager for Town & Country, MO, and Ellisville, MO before
striking out on his own to form a public policy consulting company
called Civic Quest.
Brent suffered a massive stroke in November 2011. Although he
recalls little about that day, he has since learned that the surgeons
thought they had lost him twice during his operation to relieve
pressure on his brain. When he awoke from a coma one month
later, he was completely paralyzed, unable to speak and on a feed-
ing tube. While recovering in the hospital, he regained the use of
his right side and eventually continued his rehabilitation at facilities
in Missouri and Central Illinois. His ability to speak came back
after countless hours in speech therapy, and he continued to get
stronger with physical therapy. The journey to recovery tested his
will, frequently dealing with bouts of depression. For a period of
time, according to Brent, he knew all of the pizza and Chinese
food delivery persons by their first name, and soon realized he had
added more than a few extra pounds to his six-foot frame.
By the time he moved to a supportive living residence in
Champaign in October 2013, he had already made the decision to
make healthier food choices and to pick up the pace with his exer-
cise and physical therapy, losing 75 lbs. His sister Cali encouraged
him to join her for the annual Turkey Trot, held at Crystal Lake Park
in Urbana on Thanksgiving Day. At the end of the one-mile course,
Brent met up with the race organizer who proceeded to pin the
first place ribbon on his shirt, telling him youre the real winner.
Brent enjoys a very strong support network, including his sister
and mother. But his most powerful inspiration comes from the
loving relationship he has with his children: Brandon, Justin, and
Morgan. They are truly in awe of their fathers continued progress.
Brent proved his commitment once again on Friday, April 25, by
completing the Presence Covenant Medical Center 5K race during
the weekend-long Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon. As he entered
the University of Illinois Memorial Stadium to make his way to the
finish line at the 50-yard line, Brent was met by the race emcee,
a U of I track coach, who interviewed him as he completed the
race. Brent noticed that he was also displayed on the stadium
Jumbotron, and as he crossed the finish line with the stadium
crowd chanting his name, he told the emcee I dont think I had a
very good time, coach.
We at Eden Supportive Living-Champaign are all very proud Brents
accomplishments and grateful to have him as a member of the Eden
community. For more information about Eden Supportive Living or the
Illinois Supportive Living Program, please call 217-903-5900 or email
Kim Cross, marketing director, at kcross@edenslf.com.
Photo courtesy of Eden Supportive Living-Champaign
Brent's Story of Inspiration
By Glenn Gentry, Eden Supportive Living-Champaign
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