BIRMINGHAM Ala. (BP)–Dellanna W. O’Brien, executive director of Woman’s Missionary Union, was released from a Birmingham, Ala., hospital Oct. 13, a little more than two weeks after suffering a mild stroke. She will continue to receive physical therapy as an outpatient.
National WMU President Wanda Lee told employees at the national WMU headquarters in Birmingham Oct. 14 that she continues to be pleased with the progress O’Brien is making. “She has had a wonderful beginning to a terrible situation,” said Lee, a registered nurse of more than 25 years.
“Dellanna is past the crisis stage,” Lee assured employees. “She is now in the recovery stage. And I believe it will be a full recovery, based on the rapid progress she has made and the determination she exhibits.”
In a statement released Oct. 15, O’Brien expressed gratitude for the expressions of prayer support she has received in the past two weeks.
“I have been so overwhelmed with the cards, notes and phone calls that I have received,” O’Brien said. “One of my friends said that she can imagine the angels saying, ‘Who is this woman for whom the throne of God is being bombarded with prayers?’ I am truly in awe of the many people who have prayed for me and for my recovery.
“It is no surprise that I am so quickly regaining the things lost in my stroke,” she continued. “I am learning to walk with a brace, my speech is reasonably clear if I speak slowly and my arm is beginning to respond. My hand is not responding much, but I am becoming a very good lefty. In the next few weeks, I will slowly begin to resume my duties.”
Lee told employees that O’Brien has been told that she can return to the office when she feels ready. In the meantime, Lee said, O’Brien’s administrative assistant will be working with her a few hours each week at home.
The O’Briens continue to ask that in lieu of flowers and other gifts that contributions be made to the Dellanna West O’Brien Christian Women’s Leadership Development Fund, a fund established earlier this year to honor O’Brien on her 10th anniversary with WMU. The fund’s address is WMU Foundation, PO Box 11346 Birmingham, AL 35202-1346.
Cards and notes may be sent to her at the WMU mailing address: PO Box 830010, Birmingham AL 35283-0010.
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*Name changed for security concerns.
