Friends Made in an Unexpected Place

Stroke patients become friends

Within hours of each other, Mabel Lahr and Dorothy Wasser were admitted to the same room in the Inpatient Rehabilitation unit at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital. Both women are widows from Riverview and suffered a stroke. As it turned out, this is not all they have in common; their random assignment together soon turned into a new friendship.

Hospitalization brings companionship

“As soon as I met Dorothy I felt like we had known each other for years. We both want to go home, get back to life and kick up our heels,” said 88-year-old Lahr.

They connected on a special level, according to 82-year-old Wasser, because they both come from the same generation, and they are both very sociable and like to laugh.

“I just love her,” said Wasser of Lahr. “I’m so glad that we met. This is one thing good that came from me having a stroke.”

Friends outside of the hospital

The women have already set up lunch plans at Wasser’s assisted living center. With a big smile, Lahr said, “We can eat in the dining room, and I’m buying!”

Lahr was discharged in early May and Wasser was discharged just two days later. They were both sad to lose a roommate, but the new friends look forward to their future lunch date.

It was by chance that Wasser and Lahr became roommates, but it is by choice that they remain friends. Most patients hope for good health at the end of their visit. This duo left Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital not only in good health, but in good cheer and with good company.