
Country music star Randy Travis suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013. The singer was given less than a 2% chance of survival by doctors. Travis had to re-learn how to walk and now relies on a wheelchair for mobility. He also developed aphasia, a disorder that affects his ability to communicate. Despite the challenges, Travis continues to perform and record music, releasing Where That Came From in 2024—his first new song in over a decade.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Randy Travis |
Occupation | Country singer |
Age | 64 |
Date of Stroke | 2013 |
Type of Stroke | Near-fatal |
Chances of Survival | Less than 1% |
Year of Marriage | 2015 |
Wife's Name | Mary Davis |
Health Condition | Aphasia |
Year of First Album | 1986 |
Album Name | Storms of Life |
Sales of First Album | 4 million copies |
Year of Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame | 2016 |
What You'll Learn
Country singer Randy Travis suffered a heat stroke in 2013
Country singer Randy Travis suffered a near-fatal heat stroke in July 2013. The singer was 54 years old at the time and had a packed schedule with tour dates and an acting role in an upcoming TV pilot. However, all of that was put on hold when Travis was admitted to Heart Hospital Baylor in Dallas, Texas, and treated for dilated cardiomyopathy caused by a viral infection.
Three days after being admitted to the hospital for heart issues, Travis suffered a stroke and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. The stroke was a complication of his congestive heart failure, and doctors gave him less than a 1% chance of survival. During his hospital stay, Travis's condition was so severe that he was placed on life support and put into a medically-induced coma.
Upon waking from the coma, Travis was diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder that affects communication and is common among stroke survivors. He had to re-learn how to walk and suffered partial loss of his ability to speak and sing. Travis also experienced vision problems and some comprehension issues, struggling to understand the purpose of everyday objects like a remote control or a television.
Travis's recovery was long and challenging, requiring two and a half years of intensive rehabilitation. He had to learn how to walk again and regain control of the right side of his body. Even years after the stroke, he continued to experience difficulties with speech and relied on his wife, Mary Davis, to communicate during interviews.
Despite the challenges, Travis made a rare public appearance on "The Price Is Right" in February 2024, delighting his fans. In 2020, Travis released "Fool's Love Affair," a song he had recorded as a demo in the early 1980s. In 2024, he also released "Where That Came From," his first new studio recording since the stroke, with his voice recreated using artificial intelligence.
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He was given a less than 1% chance of survival
Country music star Randy Travis suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013, which left him with a less than 1% chance of survival. The singer was initially hospitalised for a heart condition, viral cardiomyopathy, which was caused by a viral infection. Travis's condition worsened when he suffered congestive heart failure and a stroke, which affected the left side of his brain. The stroke was a complication of his congestive heart failure.
When Travis was taken off life support after 48 hours in a coma, doctors discovered the extent of the damage. The stroke had affected the entire central region of his left brain, with doctors suspecting that a blood clot had formed in his heart and travelled to his brain. Travis's then-fiancée, Mary Davis, was told that he had a 1% chance of survival and that she should consider taking him off life support.
However, Travis squeezed her hand, and she told doctors that they were "fighting this". Travis underwent three tracheostomies and two brain surgeries, and after five and a half months in two hospitals, he was finally able to go home. Travis then spent the next two and a half years in rehabilitation, learning to walk again and regain control of the right side of his body.
The stroke left Travis with aphasia, a communication disorder that severely limited his ability to speak. He also experienced vision problems during the first six to nine months after returning home. Despite the challenges, Travis continued his recovery with the support of his wife, who stayed by his side to help him communicate.
In 2016, three years after his stroke, Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He sang "Amazing Grace" during the ceremony, stunning the crowd with his performance. Travis continues to inspire others, showing that there can be life after a stroke. He and his wife encourage survivors and their loved ones to stay positive and explore different recovery options.
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Travis was left with aphasia, a communication disorder
Country music star Randy Travis suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013, which severely impacted his ability to speak and sing. Travis was left with aphasia, a communication disorder that affects around 25 to 40 percent of stroke survivors.
Aphasia is a condition where the brain is functioning, but the person cannot respond in complete sentences. For Travis, this meant that he knew what he wanted to say, but the words would not come out. In his book, *Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life*, Travis describes his frustration with the condition:
> "I could understand what Mary said to me, but I could not respond in anything close to a sentence. [...] All this was extremely frustrating for me; I felt like I was trapped inside the shell of my body."
In the early stages of his recovery, Travis could barely speak at all. He spent three months in speech therapy before he learned to say the letter "A". After about a year and a half, he could say a few simple phrases, but his speech remained limited.
Travis's wife, Mary, became his primary caregiver and communication partner. She describes the process of regaining his speech as one of constant repetition, slowly rebuilding the elements of language with the help of a speech therapist. Despite the challenges, Travis's strong will and determination to recover have helped him make progress.
In addition to aphasia, Travis also experienced vision problems and had to re-learn how to walk during his recovery. He underwent intensive rehabilitation for two and a half years, but eventually hit a plateau, and his progress slowed. To continue his recovery, Travis began engaging more with everyday life, interacting with his wife and friends, caring for his pets, and going to concerts.
Music has also played a vital role in Travis's rehabilitation. Although he initially struggled to sing along to "Amazing Grace", one of his favourite songs, he eventually had a breakthrough and was able to sing a full verse from memory. This is because music uses a different part of the brain from speech, and singing can help some people with aphasia regain their ability to communicate.
Today, Travis continues to live with the effects of aphasia, and Mary remains by his side to help him communicate. Despite the challenges, Travis has made public appearances and even returned to singing, performing "Amazing Grace" at his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
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He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016
Country music star Randy Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. The ceremony was an emotional one, as Travis had suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013, which left him with aphasia and severely limited his ability to speak and sing.
At the induction ceremony, Travis sang "Amazing Grace", thrilling fans and leaving few dry eyes in the house. His wife, Mary, helped him express his gratitude over the honour, saying:
> "Today is the greatest day of Randy's celebrated music career. Randy wants to thank you for listening and loving him. Randy stared death in the face, but death blinked."
Travis has since made a slow but steady recovery, and in 2024, he released "Where That Came From", his first studio recording since his stroke, where his voice was recreated using artificial intelligence.
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Travis sang at the ceremony, performing 'Amazing Grace'
Country music star Randy Travis suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013, which severely impacted his ability to speak and sing. However, in 2016, three years after his stroke, Travis sang "Amazing Grace" at his induction ceremony into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Travis's performance of "Amazing Grace" was particularly meaningful given the challenges he faced in his recovery from the stroke. The stroke had affected the left side of his brain, causing him to develop aphasia, a disorder that affects communication. As a result, Travis had difficulty speaking and singing, and he had to undergo extensive rehabilitation to regain his abilities.
At the induction ceremony, Travis was accompanied by his wife, Mary Davis, who has been a constant source of support throughout his recovery. She helped him communicate during interviews and assisted him in his rehabilitation.
Before his stroke, Travis had a highly successful career in country music, with numerous hit albums and singles. His distinctive baritone voice and traditional country style influenced later generations of country singers. Despite the challenges he faced after the stroke, Travis continued to inspire and impact others through his music and his courage.
Travis's performance of "Amazing Grace" at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a powerful moment that showcased his resilience and determination. It served as a testament to his enduring talent and a symbol of hope for those facing similar struggles.
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Frequently asked questions
Jason Aldean.
Randy Travis.
Heat stroke is a severe heat illness that results in a body temperature of over 40°C (104°F), as well as red skin, headache, dizziness, and confusion. It is a life-threatening condition that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure, and even death.
Early symptoms include behavioral changes, confusion, delirium, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and vomiting.
If someone is suffering from heat stroke, immediately call emergency services. Help the person out of the heat, remove or loosen tight clothing, fan their skin, and immerse their body in cool water.