PEOPLE

Blessed To Be Alive

David Webb’s road to recovery after near-death strokes is nothing short of a miracle, one that has him thankful for being given a second chance

STORY BY BOB LABBE

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY

TTo quote the 1970 Beatles No. 1 hit song, “The Long and Winding Road,” Madison’s David Webb is currently on that road…to recovery. The world record-setting powerlifter is currently making headway on his journey after suffering near-death strokes in early 2022 and to the amazement to everyone, including his doctors, Webb is again lifting weights in record form.

“This road required a lot of help from my friends at Powerhouse Gym and my training partner,” said the 65year old Webb. “Without the support from the personal trainers of Nate, Nathan and Josh and their constant encouragement, I would not be where I am today. My wife, Nancy has been my rock and the one person who kept me in line of not overdoing my recovery.”

Listening to Nancy, working with therapists and following the guidance from his doctors, Webb was determined to show all concerned he would make a comeback. His true grit and pure spunk pushed him to stand tall, overcome his limitations and to make his way to the lifting platform for the competition he desires. After 10 months of rehabilitation he returned to competing in November,

2022. In a new age bracket of 65-69 Webb was back at his old form of setting records. In his first competition, he set a new bench press world record of 226 pounds in two different categories. He also set 11 new state records in his first meet since his strokes. Two weeks later in Decatur at the Golden Ape Power Challenge he moved to a higher weight class and set 12 new state records.

“Those meets were very rewarding as the weights I’m lifting now is different as my form is better and I feel my strength is solid,” said Webb. “But, one thing I did learn is the fact I had a second chance at life and I wasn’t going to blow it. I was going to run it up the flagpole. I have the entire use of my body and I feel I’m blessed beyond measure.”

Webb also feels he’s blessed just to be alive.

After working for the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH) for 30 years as a research scientist contractor on Redstone Arsenal, Webb chose to officially retire on Jan. 1, 2022, but his well-prepared retirement was about to hit a pothole on his retirement travels.

On Jan. 27, Webb’s life changed in a dramatic way.

He was preparing for a daily workout at Powerhouse Gym and began to feel dizzy thinking it was his blood pressure medication causing the miscues. After waiting until the dizziness subsided he took his usual trip to the gym workouts where he began his weight lifting routine on the leg press machine. While loading the necessary weights onto the machine, Webb said, “It hit me. I knew right away something was wrong. I grabbed my bag and headed for the front door, but on my way I kept drifting and falling to the left. Through just pure determination

I made my way to a chair at the front of the gym where representatives of the gym saw what was happening and called 9-1-1.”

Upon being rushed to Crestwood Hospital he was assessed and doctors indicated he was having a brain stem stroke. There was 99-percent blockage and he was immediately started on an IV and administered a “clot-buster,” a drug used to break up a clot and help restore blood flow to the brain. After being stabilized, Webb was transferred to Huntsville Hospital’s Neurology ICU Unit where he remained under constant care for 13 days.

“I felt lucky just to be alive,” said Webb. “I know a lot of prayers came my way and soon more miracles were coming my way. My neurologist, Dr. Kate Heaton, was in charge of my case and she was spot-on with her diagnosis. She said there would be a great chance of having another stroke, and once released to go home, to stay home, rest and recover.”

Webb was released and was at home recovering under the watchful eyes of Nancy. While watching the Super Bowl battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals, where the Rams defeated the Bengals 23-20, something happened. While sitting back in his favorite chair and enjoying the annual game, Webb said he suddenly lost the use of the right side of his body. He instantly knew what was happening and had Nancy call 9-1-1. Just as his doctor predicted, Webb was having another stroke.

“I found out 80-percent of those with a second stroke don’t survive the ride to the hospital,” said Webb. “I was again in the hospital for four additional days. On the day I was to go home, Dr. Heaton told me my competitive power lifting was no longer in my future and to work hard in the upcoming physical therapy sessions as she believed that’s what was going to allow me to regain most of my functions, including walking again.”

For the exceptionally positive and proactive Webb, additional miracles were about to be bestowed upon him on his road to recovery.

During the time dealing with the strokes, Webb lost 24 pounds, which was a lot for a man who stands 5-foot-8 and weighed in at 179-pounds, but he retained much of his muscle mass and that factor was the first item his lead physical therapist, Brant Bishop, noticed in his first face-to-face session with Webb. If anyone knew what to look for in Webb’s case, it was Bishop, who just happens to be inducted into the Alabama Power Lifting Hall of Fame. “He asked me if I was wanting to return to competition and I replied with a resounding yes,” said Webb on his first encounter with Bishop, who then geared the physical therapy program towards Webb reaching his goal.

Webb was paired with physical trainer, Eric Hansen, who just happen to have competed in powerlifting. Webb quickly saw miracles really do happen to those who believe.

Webb began his therapy where he could not let go of the use of his walker to walking with a cane in just four weeks. He felt his trainer had challenged him in ways he never knew was possible. Webb was soon released by Dr. Heaton to begin lifting a light amount of weights, but Webb had other plans, which included returning to a competition level of power lifting.

The first attempts at lifting weights was eye-opening and humbling. Webb went from competition squatting 280-pounds to barely able to squat the 45-pound bar.

He struggled to curl a five-pound dumbbell, bench press 90-pounds or deadlift more than 150-pounds. “I knew right away I was on a long road to recovery,” added Webb, who indicated his road included many friends at Powerhouse Gym and his workout partner, Bobby Brown. “I still thought I could compete and I wondered how long of a road was it going to be.”

The road is still ongoing, but his undiluted determination has led Webb to have his weightlifting eyes set on setting three national records in the May third USPA Drug Tested Core Wars scheduled to be held in Madison.

“There was a reason certain people were put in my life during this time as at one time I never really understood the severity of my stroke as I struggled just to walk and my doctor said they’ve never seen this type of condition from a stroke revamp so quickly,” said Webb. “I guess I’m an anomaly.”

Growing up in Louisville, Ky., Webb didn’t partake in athletics until his four-year stint in the U.S. Army where he played racquetball, softball, bowling and the martial arts. Once moving to Alabama in 1983 and taking up residence in the area of Monrovia-Madison, he became an Alabama state champion racquetball player and disc golfer. He also earned his teaching certificate for U.S. Kids Golf. Prior to his strokes he has set numerous state, national and world records in power lifting.

Webb is determined to succeed and prove to himself he can survive. He’s also eager to show others how they have affected his life in a positive and successful way. His message to others who may suffer similar medical conditions and get a second chance is to surround themselves with others who can help and to encourage you to do your part as others around you are impacted by your pain and suffering.

“I spend a lot of time concentrating on what I need to do,” said Webb. “The support sent to me by the Lord was for a reason. I know I have a second chance and with all of that support on my road to recovery, I can’t fail.”