Finding strength in adversity

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Former nursing home chaplain regains purpose, hope as patient

During the six years Don Weaver served as chaplain at Signature HealthCARE in Erin, he never dreamed his life would come full circle during the next few years and bring him back to the facility once more – this time as a patient.

His story is one of perseverance, struggles, and faith.

Born in 1968 with infantile cerebral palsy, Weaver remembers leading a pretty normal life, even though he walked on crutches for 33 years. He graduated from high school, married and fathered three children – Isaac, Andrew and Kayla Beth.
He attended church regularly and eventually became a minister.

He moved with his family to East Tennessee for awhile, where he had the opportunity to serve as assistant professor of a congregation and then pastor.
All in all, he said his life was pretty good.

Until 2003.

That year, he began to suffer with muscle spasms that were so bad he had to undergo surgery. His life plummeted into a downward spiral that would last five years, cost him his family and leave him alone, wheelchair bound and emotionally wrecked.

He described the scars as, “deep scars that are not only physical but mental, as well.”

Having given no hope of ever walking again, Weaver said that he felt he had lost his ability to be a husband and a father. It also affected his desire to attend church.
“I lost hope, quit trying, and I simply gave up,” he stated. “There for awhile, I lost everything. I gave up on God, gave up on life.”

He started drinking and his 17-year marriage collapsed. After his wife left, Don was able to get 24-hour nursing care at home until September 2008, when his benefits were cut.

Angry, depressed, unable to care for himself and unable to control some bodily functions, Weaver had no choice but to be admitted to Signature HealthCARE.
“I was not thrilled … to be 40 years old in a nursing home,” he said. “To be honest, it’s still tough for me, but I realize this is the best place for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t come here.”

After getting over the initial pains of being in a nursing home, Weaver began to work in physical therapy and little by little he began to believe in himself, and God, again.