Paul Hayes said he had the perfect life, that is until Dec. 4, 2002.
That is when Hayes, a Henryville resident, suffered a stroke, leaving his left side paralyzed. He has no use of his left arm and hand, and his knee will not bend. He can no longer drive or dress himself.
On Oct. 4, Harvest Homecoming held an event titled a “Night of Inspiration” along the New Albany Riverfront. As part of the celebration, a contest was held where people were asked to write an essay about a person who inspires them.
Hayes knew exactly who he was going to nominate — his wife Betty Lou.
He writes: “My wife had to quit her job to take care of me. She gave up her dreams to take care of mine. My wife fixes all my meals, cleans the house, she is my chauffeur and does my laundry. When I get down and think about giving up, she is there and knows exactly what to say to get me going again.”
The committee chose Hayes’ essay as the winner and surprised his wife with gift cards and a trophy at the event. She said it was a “wonderful surprise.”
“It’s very special,” she said of the award.
Betty Lou said the day her husband had a stroke, was the day she quit her job. She said she never thought twice about it and loves taking care of her husband. She said each day gets a little better for him.
“He was my best friend before we got married and he is still my best friend,” she said of her husband. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. We are together and we love each other. He is devoted to me and I am devoted to him. Whatever God sends us we’ll deal with it.”
Betty Lou said her husband tells her each day how “special I am.”
“I am very, very proud of this award,” she said.
Clark County
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October 11, 2008
Husband’s ‘special lady’ earns inspiration award
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