When Jim Lakatos, of Cogan Station, looks back on the night his life changed, the details remain unclear.

“I don’t remember much,” he said. “I live alone. I was cooking dinner, and all of a sudden, I passed out. That’s all I remember.”

Lakatos, an electrical engineer for more than 40 years, had long been used to living independently. But when he didn’t show up for work the next day, his co-workers grew concerned. Their decision to call 911 may have saved his life.

Emergency responders transported Lakatos to UPMC Williamsport, where providers determined he had suffered a stroke. Weeks later, just as he was preparing to leave inpatient rehabilitation, he experienced a second stroke.

“Sept. 5 was the first stroke, and the second one was Sept. 25, the day before I was going to go home,” he said.

The strokes left Lakatos with aphasia, a condition that affects the ability to communicate. While he can understand conversations, finding the right words can be difficult.

Despite the setbacks, Lakatos remained focused on returning to his normal life.

“I wanted to be independent and have my son get back home to Brooklyn to his job and his life,” he said.

His youngest son put his own life on hold, moving home to support his father’s recovery from September through early April. Today, Lakatos says his son has returned to New York, and he is once again managing on his own.

A key part of Lakatos’ recovery has been rehabilitation and the support of his care team. Since October, he has participated in outpatient therapy at UPMC Williamsport, working closely with speech and occupational therapists to rebuild strength and communication skills.

To help bridge communication gaps, Lakatos uses an iPad that stores essential information, including medications, medical history, emergency contacts, and personal details.

Through therapy, he has made steady progress. His speech continues to improve, and he is regaining strength and sensation in his arm. Occupational therapy has also helped him manage daily tasks such as handling mail and finances, while addressing challenges with reading.

Recently, Lakatos reached a milestone that once felt out of reach, driving again.

But recovery has not only been about regaining function. It has also meant returning to the activities he enjoys most.

“I’m back to playing my guitar,” he said. “I’m working on my picking hand. I’ve been playing for 50 years or better.”

Today, Lakatos is back home and living independently — a goal that once seemed uncertain but is now a reality.

He credits his care team for helping him reach that point.

“These people mean everything to me,” he said. “They have done so much for me and made me who I am. I can’t find the words to describe it. Thank you for everything. They are just so wonderful.”