Love Endures
Christine Cravatta has been her husband Rick’s primary caregiver since he had a stroke in 2013. The doctors told them he would never be able to speak again. Now, five years later, Rick has regained his speech and some movements in his arms and legs. Although they cannot do the same things they used to do together, they have found ways to adapt to their new life and stay hopeful that Rick will recover.
Christine and Rick attend a hip hop dance class at Let's Dance Studio in Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 13, 2018. They began dancing after the stroke to have something to do together. It has been instrumental in Rick's recovery because it exercises his body and short term memory.
Christine drives Rick to their dance lesson on Oct. 13, 2018. Christine does not like driving, but she has been forced to learn how to drive a handicap accessible van to transport Rick and his wheelchair. “When I first brought him home it was rough, it was like bringing a brand-new baby home. But I love him, I was not going to put him in a nursing home—no way. They said, ‘You can’t take care of him at home.’ I said, ‘Watch me.’”
Christine helps Rick put socks on in the morning before going to their dance lesson on Oct. 13, 2018. Rick became paralyzed on the right side of his body after the stroke. Since beginning to dance he has regained some mobility in his right leg.
Christine prepares Rick's pills for the week on Oct. 13, 2018. The medications include treatment for blood pressure, cholesterol, low dose antibiotics to prevent UTIs and neurostimulates. Christine started to take her own medication for high blood pressure after the stroke, but will sometimes forget because she is taking care of Rick. "I always forget me." she says.
Christine gets up at 6 am to read scriptures and exercise before getting Rick up at 8 on Oct. 30, 2018. "I will get up even if I'm exhausted. It's my favorite time of the day... it's me and me." she says.
Rick attends music and speech therapy at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. on Oct. 17, 2018. One of the results of suffering from the stroke was aphasia. The goal of therapy is to improve verbal and nonverbal communication through repetitive speech exercises.
Rick helps his granddaughter, Raquel Cravatta, pick up leaves in their driveway on Oct. 30, 2018. The grandkids come over twice a week after school.
Raquel and Milla Cravatta, Christine and Rick's grandchildren, help Rick play an educational game on the iPad on Oct. 30, 2018. The younger grandchildren have no memory of the way their grandfather was before the stroke, but the older ones actually like this version of Rick better. "This grandpa is funnier. The other grandpa was more stern." Christine says.
Christine prepares her bed on the floor beside Rick on Nov. 20, 2018. She has been sleeping on the floor since he came home from rehabilitation. "I miss my bed, it's like I'm camping every night..." she says.
Christine struggles to push Rick into the door to Sweet Briar, her friend's event space on Oct. 14, 2018. Christine recently retired from being a culinary educator at BOCES, but has been helping her friend with food preparation several times a week. She often brings Rick to work with her.
The Cravatta's pray before eating dinner at Rick's birthday party on Nov. 4, 2018. Christine and Rick are devout Christians. "We're just passing through here. And that's why I can deal with this tragedy. Because this is not all there is, in my beliefs in Jesus Christ... and I'm really okay with my life, I really am. I've made peace with it." Christine says.
Christine and Rick share a kiss at the Radisson Hotel Rochester Airport during the monthly Jazz Night hosted by Flower City Jazz Society on Oct. 15, 2018. “Sometimes I cry because I love you. You’re my blessing.” she says.