Former President Ford Suffers Minor Stroke
— -- Former President Gerald Ford has suffered a minor stroke and is in stable condition at a Philadelphia hospital. But doctors are optimistic about the prognosis of the 87-year-old GOP statesman and predict he will make a full recovery.
ABCNEWS.comAug. 2— Former President Gerald Ford had at least one mild
stroke recently and is in stable condition at a Philadelphia hospital, doctors said today.
The 87-year-old Ford “probably had a stroke maybe two days ago and had another little one” overnight, said Dr. Robert Schwartzman, head of the neurology department at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, where Ford had been attending the Republican National Convention.
Ford is in stable condition, with weakness in his left arm, but he is awake and aware, Schwartzman said. He is experiencing some dizziness and lack of mobility, and his speech is slightly slurred.
The former president may have suffered damage to the balance center in his brain, the doctor said. But Ford’s prognosis is good, Schwartzman added. “I think he’ll do very well.”
Ford will need medication and will probably remain in the hospital about five days, doctors said. Typically in cases like this one, patients undergo physical therapy and a series of diagnostic tests, doctors said.
Wants to Go Home
Calvin McDowell, the former president’s spokesman, says Ford is already anxious to leave the hospital.
“He’s very alert and ready to go home,” McDowell said.
Ford’s wife Betty is “very upset … upset like anybody” would be on hearing the news, Schwartzman said.
Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush spoke to Mrs. Ford by telephone and conveyed to her “his prayers and love” to Ford and his family. “America loves Gerald and Betty Ford for their integrity, wisdomand compassion,” he said in a statement.
President Clinton also spoke with Mrs. Ford by telephone andexpressed his concern, White House spokesman Elliot Diringer said.
Former President George Bush said in a written statement that he and his wife Barbara “are hoping and praying for the quickest possible recovery of Gerald R. Ford.” He said a convention tribute to Ford on Tuesday night “reminded [us] of his decency and of all he did at a crucial time in our nation’s history.”
Had Visited Hospital Earlier
Ford had checked into the hospital late Tuesday night for a brief visit, complaining of balance problems. He was given antibiotics for what doctors said was a sinus infection. When he left after that visit, doctors said they did not expect he would need to return.
But he returned at 9 a.m. today. Doctors said he appeared to have problems with his balance. After surgeons examined the former president, an imaging scan confirmed strokes had affected the back of his brain.
According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks. This interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain, killing cells. When brain cells die, abilities controlled by that area of the brain, like speech, movement and memory, are diminished or lost. Some people recover completely from minor strokes.
A mild stroke “looks like an inner-ear infection sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference,” Schwartzman said.
“I had bad sinuses,” Ford said when he left the hospital around 1:30 a.m., looking ashen and weak as he walked to his car. He pointed to his nose and waved goodbye to reporters.
Two women told ABCNEWS they saw Ford walk into the hospital on his own accord with his wife and Secret Service agents.
Lee Simmons, Ford’s part-time special assistant, said his boss looked ill on Tuesday when he saw him on television.
“I could tell right away something was wrong. His speech was not as sharp and clear as it normally is ... I told my wife it looked like he had a stroke or something,” he said.
Honored at GOP Convention Ford, the 38th president, was one of three living former Republican presidents honored Tuesday night at the Republican convention.
New York Gov. George Pataki introduced thelatter half of the program, which paid tribute in video segments to Ford as well as former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Ford appeared visibly moved by the presentation of the highlights of his presidency.
Ford and Bush had VIP seats in the hall, and in a poignant appearance,former first lady Nancy Reagan left her husband’s side to represent himamong the former presidents. President Reagan, 89, has Alzheimer’s disease.
In an interview broadcast Tuesday, Ford told talk show host Larry King, “I couldn’t be healthier.”
“Betty and I are having amagnificent life: 52 years of married life, four great children, 15grandchildren. Everything is breaking just right and I am delightedto be here at this convention after going to so many for so manyyears.”
President in Troubled Times
On Aug. 9, 1974, Ford succeeded Richard M. Nixon, the only president ever to resign, in the fallout from the Watergate scandal. Ford set out to restore confidence in the White House, and tried to put an end to the scandal by pardoning Nixon.
His chief domestic concern was the economy. A brief Arab oil embargo led to a quadrupling of oil prices, which produced both inflation and a recession. Ford had limited success in handling this “stagflation.”
Though he had spent 25 years in Congress as a well-respected legislator from Michigan, Ford’s relations with the heavily Democratic Congress during his White House tenure were marked largely by legislative gridlock. He cast more than 50 vetoes of legislation by the end of 1976; more than 40 were sustained.
Ford was defeated by a very narrow margin in the 1976 election by Democrat Jimmy Carter, a former governor of Georgia. Ford got 48 percent of the vote that year.