Radio
personality Dick Ireland was a
fixture on Baltimore airwaves
for more than 50 years, beginning
when he was a lanky teenager.
For 35 of those years, he was
the morning drive‑time personality
for either WLIF‑FM or WRBS‑FM.
On May 11, 2006, his radio career
abruptly ended following a stroke.
A
Mayo Clinic Web site reports that
a “stroke occurs when the blood
supply to a part of your brain
is interrupted or severely reduced,”
thus depriving brain tissue of
nutrients and oxygen. In the U.S.,
it’s the leading cause of adult
disability.
“I
talk a little bit differently
than I used to,” said 67‑year‑old
Ireland in a telephone interview,
referring to having stroke‑induced
aphasia, which means he isn’t
able to read, write, or speak
well. His wife assisted with the
interview.
“(On
May 11, 2006) I got up at 3:00
in the morning as usual to do
the morning radio program,” he
said. “I showered and was pressing
my pants when I just fell down.
My wife knew I had a problem.
She called the ambulance.”
Then
in January 2007, in what he later
learned was a bi‑product
of the stroke, Ireland began feeling
out of sorts at a local mall.
A friend drove him home. Suspecting
something more serious, Ireland’s
wife drove him to the hospital.
He had a “full‑blown” seizure
while they were literally pulling
up to the emergency room.
Currently,
Ireland isn’t allowed to drive,
though he hopes to regain the
ability and privilege.
One
feeling the former radio personality
fights is boredom. He isn’t able
to write anything, or read the
morning paper, a former love.
When his wife is away from their
home on errands, he can’t do much
more than watch television, he
related.
As
for meeting people, “with some
people I talk to I’m fine,” he
said. “I know who everybody is,
but I just can’t get their names
out.”
Though
lacking some verbal ability, he
can still greet people and make
them feel good inside–important
work he did on the radio. Desiring
to serve others in some way after
his stroke, Ireland received permission
from his church to help meet the
needs of older members. In that
position, Ireland and his wife
work hand‑in‑hand.
As
for getting through life, he said,
“I don't know what I would do
without my wife (Jeannette).”
