A Birthday Gift to Sheltering Arms Judge Wilford and Linda Taylor’s JOURNEY

“It’s my honor to take care of my husband,” says Linda Taylor who shared how much Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI) means to her and her entire family. She appreciates the contributions of the whole team who provide Wilford “Will” with tremendous support after he suffered a series of medical setbacks and a stroke in February. She adds, “I know he would take care of me in a heartbeat if the situation was reversed.”

Their love story began on December 30th, 1974, when she was visiting friends at Fort Lee and ended up staying an extra day. As fate would have it, Will stopped by that day to share with her friends some good news he had received. Linda happened to answer the door and they met for the first time. In a series of fortuitous twists, he called and asked her out on a date. Linda recalls, “My mother absolutely adored Will. In fact, she told me that she didn’t want to meet anyone else right after they were introduced. Mother claimed she knew he was the one.” As it turned out, mother knew best. Will and Linda were married six months later. They have two children, Patrice and Derek, “a son-in-love,” Rodney, two grandchildren and Patrice is expecting a baby this spring. Derek, who served two tours in Iraq, has stepped in to help his father recover.

The Honorable Judge Wilford Taylor, Jr. influenced many people in his exemplary thirty-two-year career on the bench in his hometown of Hampton, Virginia. State judges saluted the retired jurist with the 2019 Harry L. Carrico Outstanding Career Service Award for his work. Judge Taylor began his legal career after graduating from Hampton University and the College of William and Mary Law School. He is a retired US Army colonel with twentyeight years of service in the reserves and was an adjunct professor at the College of William and Mary Law School.

At home, Will enjoyed cooking – often preparing gourmet meals to the delight of those around him. Linda says, “Will was known for being an excellent chef. He loved to cook for his family and friends.” Both Linda and Will share a deep faith, with Will serving as a deacon in their church. In the beginning of 2018, Will began having headaches, then one day fell hitting his head. A neurologist believed he had AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) that occurred at birth. Linda and Will made the difficult decision that he would undergo a complicated two-part surgery. A full recovery was expected. After a rigorous rehabilitation over a six-month span, Will went back on the bench in 2019. By fall, he was teaching at the College of William and Mary again. Their lives returned to normal.

In February 2022, Will suffered a stroke and brain bleed. A nurse in Hampton told Linda that he would be bedridden for the rest of his life, which infuriated her. She went on the hunt for a better option. Linda explains, “Will could not do anything for himself.”

She praises the team who has taken such good care of Will. Linda says, “It’s a journey. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Her faith has sustained her as well as Will’s progress. He can stand and put weight on his left leg. He is a hard worker and is getting better each day.

Physical therapist, Monnivon Morrow, (Monni) says, “He has been a pleasure to work with. Every day, he comes in ready to work. No matter what his exercise is, he is always willing to try it out and gives his full effort towards it.” The Vector Body Weight Support and Gait Training System and Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycle have been helpful. Monni adds, “Will’s core control and orientation to midline in sitting has improved greatly, as well as his transfers.”

Will was discharged from Sheltering Arms Institute hospital on Linda’s 70th Birthday. She asked friends and family to celebrate with her by giving to Sheltering Arms. Her birthday presents will ultimately benefit others in need of assistance.

Service and a smile to brighten my dark days. Kindness and compassion you’ve shown along the way.

God knew I needed an angel. so He placed me in your care. I am so grateful and no one else will ever compare.

Thank you seems so inadequate for all that you have done. I was sheltered in your arms, now victory has been won.

By Linda Taylor

To learn more about the many ways your gifts impact patient care please contact Kyle Amey, kamey@shelteringarms.com or (804) 342­4131.

WHAT IS AVM? (Arteriovenous Malformation)

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Cycle

Allow people with little or no voluntary leg movement to pedal a stationary leg-cycle called an ergometer. Computer generated, low-level electrical pulses are transmitted to the leg muscles.

An AVM is a tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels (arteries and veins). It is thought they typically develop in utero. They have a higher rate of bleeding than normal vessels. AVMs can occur anywhere in the body. Brain AVMs are of special concern because of the damage they cause when they bleed. They are very rare and occur in less than 1% of the general population.