Austintown vet gives thanks for what he hasn't lost

AUSTINTOWN

Lynn Parker has his keys around his neck and his phone on unlock — and close to him just in case he has a fourth stroke.

He also can hit his car alarm, and his Woodland Avenue neighbors will come to his aid.

These new adjustments for Parker have come since his third stroke in late October, from which he is still suffering memory issues.

“Every day is an adventure because you have no memory of yesterday. Everyday is Groundhog Day,” Parker said, laughing.

Tests are still being run to determine how bad the last stroke was, he said.

“They’re going to send me down for some more testing — find out what my deficiencies are. I got to find out what I lost with this last stroke.”

He continued, “I can’t remember stuff. Can’t remember names. Can’t remember to do stuff ... I have to write it down, but then I throw the paper away.”

Parker also said that he has lost a little use of one of his hands and legs.

But that hasn’t stopped him from what he does: Being involved at township trustee meetings or working the polls this past election. And, he said he’s thankful every day.

“I can still stand up, walk, still know where I am,” Parker said. “There was a time when I didn’t know that. The one stroke I had, I would go to the end of the driveway and not know what house was mine ... You look at pictures on the wall, and you don’t know who your family is.”

That went on for six to seven months and he had to re-learn how to walk, read and write.

On top of the strokes, Parker also deals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in the Army during the Vietnam War.

Read more about how he keeps such an upbeat attitude in the face of his struggles in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.