A Birthday Walk to Remember: Bob MacCurtain's Journey Back from Stroke

Life, as they say, can turn on a dime. For Bob MacCurtain, a Hingham resident, that turn came with a sudden, devastating force on March 1, just a few short weeks ago. A stroke, swift and brutal, left the 67-year-old paralyzed on his right side, his speech — once so natural — reduced to a challenging jumble due to aphasia. It’s the kind of news that stops you cold, the kind of moment that reshapes everything in an instant, truly.

His wife, Patricia, recalls those terrifying first hours, the fear gripping her heart, the uncertainty that hung heavy in the air. But what followed was nothing short of remarkable, a testament not only to Bob’s incredible resolve but also to the dedicated hands and minds that surrounded him at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown. They say recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and in truth, for many, it is. But for Bob, it seems, it was a sprint of unparalleled courage.

The journey inside Spaulding was intense. We're talking round-the-clock therapy: physical therapists coaxing his right side back to life, occupational therapists helping him regain daily function, and speech therapists diligently working to unlock the words trapped by aphasia. Think about that: relearning to walk, to speak, to simply be in your own body again. It’s an monumental undertaking, an effort of will that few of us can truly comprehend unless we’ve walked that path ourselves.

And then, just 26 days after that life-altering stroke, something extraordinary happened. It was Bob’s 67th birthday, a day that could have been marked by frustration or despair. Instead, it became a beacon of triumph. Surrounded by his unwavering wife, Patricia, and the very team who had pushed, encouraged, and believed in him, Bob MacCurtain did something truly amazing: he walked out of Spaulding, on his own two feet.

Patricia, understandably beaming with pride, shared her joy and relief. Who wouldn’t? To see such progress, such an incredible comeback in such a short timeframe — it’s enough to bring tears to your eyes, really. Bob, ever the fighter, even managed a powerful declaration: “I’m going to kick butt.” That’s the spirit, isn’t it?

His recovery isn't over, not by a long shot. He’ll continue his therapy as an outpatient, continuing to build on the foundations laid so powerfully at Spaulding. But that birthday walk, for once, was more than just a step; it was a profound leap forward, a vivid illustration of the human spirit’s capacity for resilience, for hope, and for a comeback story that truly inspires us all.