FROM STROKE TO RECOVERY

A Cape Girardeau man who credits the department of speech, communication and theatre at Southeast Missouri State University with his remarkable stroke comeback now is returning something to the university.

M. Luther Hahs, who suffered a severe stroke in 1972, has with the help of Burton Bock authored a new book recounting his experiences. He plans to donate the book's proceeds to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation to help fund the Luther and Catherine Hahs Speech Scholarship Fund.

Hahs is a 1942 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in English and speech. He and his wife are members of the President's Council and the Copper Dome Society of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, and they are longtime university donors. Prior to his stroke, he was a nationally-known speaker and often served as emcee at local events.

The 84-page book, titled "God, Mommy, Amen," was more than three years in the making and tells the story of Hahs' struggle against the devastation of a stroke that occurred Aug. 8, 1972, while he was undergoing coronary bypass surgery in Memphis, Tenn. The stroke left Hahs, then 52, unable to talk or walk, he said.

The book reveals how M.G. Lorberg Jr., the late chairman of Southeast's speech, communication and theatre department and Southeast classmate and friend of Hahs, and many others helped Hahs regain his speech through more than two years of evaluation and intense therapy. The sessions were conducted by Lorberg and his Southeast students, both in Hahs' home and at the university.

"God, Mommy, Amen" is dedicated to Lorberg and Hahs' wife, Catherine.

Hahs, now 72 and a chartered life underwriter and agent emeritus with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., said that the book's title was derived from the first prayer he was able to say aloud during a service in St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau early in his comeback. The word "Mommy" refers to his wife, he said.

"My church is very valuable to me," he said, however praying, memorization and math still come difficult to him.

The book also describes how Hahs has used his experiences to reach out to others in the community, touched by similar circumstances, by pioneering the Cape Girardeau Area Stroke Club and by publicly speaking about his struggle.

"A lot of the book is about how hard he has worked through these 20 years," said Bock, whose family has been associated with Hahs for many years. "He has gone to the library on a daily basis and has worked to recover his writing skills. I am sure he has far surpassed his original prognosis."

Bock is a former part-time Southeast Missourian reporter and Cape Girardeau Public Schools English teacher.

Bock helped Hahs pen nine of the book's 12 chapters. The fifth chapter is about Mrs. Hahs and is written by Hahs' son, David Hahs. The 10th chapter is written by Hahs' nephew, T. Ronald Hahs; the 11th chapter is written by Hahs' sister, Joy Johnston.

The 12th chapter covers Hahs' bypass surgery, which occurred in October in Cape Girardeau.

"The book shows the power of faith" and the importance of maintaining a sense of humor, Bock said. "Luther has always kept his sense of humor."

Hahs said his book, which also is available on cassette tape, is designed to encourage stroke victims and families of stroke victims "not to give up and to continue to work with what you have." He said he hopes the book also provides readers with humor, understanding, hope and peace.

To purchase copies of "God, Mommy, Amen," which sells for $9.95, call the Southeast Missouri University Foundation at (314) 651-2252.