Home / Health / Stroke Survivor Proposes After Therapy Triumph
Stroke Survivor Proposes After Therapy Triumph
14 May
Summary
- Stroke survivor proposed using affected hand after therapy.
- Therapy goals included kneeling, holding ring, and speech.
- Proposal happened in New Orleans before girlfriend's birthday.
Carl Haydel, 59, who suffered a stroke after being hit by a car in August 2025, has successfully proposed to his girlfriend, Rachel Dingle. Following the accident, Haydel underwent occupational therapy at The Claiborne at Baton Rouge, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with therapist Amanda Cable. His therapy focused on regaining strength and coordination in his affected hand.
Haydel’s proposal on April 11, 2026, in downtown New Orleans, was meticulously planned with Cable's assistance. Key therapy goals included enabling him to kneel, present the ring, and deliver a prepared speech. Cable also helped him create a special engagement gift: tracing the words "I love you" in Hebrew with his affected hand.
His girlfriend, who had supported him throughout his recovery, was surprised and accepted his proposal. Cable expressed pride in Haydel's progress, highlighting the rewarding nature of occupational therapy in facilitating such significant life events. A video of Haydel's therapy journey, showcasing his progress from being wheelchair-bound to proposing, garnered over 260,000 likes on Instagram.
