Eight years ago, Al Walczak’s life changed in an instant. What started as a simple mosquito bite, something most people wouldn’t think twice about, quickly became something far more serious. After weeks of worsening symptoms and uncertainty, Al was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with West Nile virus. “I didn’t think anything of it at first,” Al recalls. “Then I just kept getting worse, and nobody could figure out what was going on.” By the time doctors had answers, Al had already spent weeks declining. He would go on to spend time in the ICU and more than five months in the hospital. “So then they finally knew what it was,” he says. “But there’s nothing you can do for it except wait until you get as good as you can be.”
When everything is uncertain, peace of mind matters
In the middle of a life-threatening illness, the last thing Al wanted to worry about was what came next. After months in the hospital, he braced himself, like many would, for difficult financial decisions. He waited for the other shoe to drop... but it never did. “You hear stories about people having to choose between treatment and food,” he says. “I thought, oh my gosh… we don’t have to do that.”
That realization stuck with him.
“That was another reason to be really, really grateful,” Al says. “I couldn’t have been happier.” Instead of navigating complexity or unexpected issues, Al describes an experience that felt straightforward and easy to manage, especially during a time when nothing else was. “The communication from Priority Health was all really clear,” he says. “Everything was explained well. I don’t recall having issues or needing to call customer service and ask about something.”
In fact, what stood out most was what didn’t happen.
“I don’t recall getting denials,” he adds. “Everything went according to what I thought was reasonable.”
A long road back
When Al returned home after five and a half months in the hospital, recovery was just beginning. “What it meant for me was that I was in a wheelchair,” he says. “I hadn’t regained much movement.” Through therapy, time and persistence, he began to rebuild strength, especially in his upper body. “So I’m still recovering,” he says. “It’s been eight years now. But I can do a lot more than what some people can do with the same thing. I’m feeling pretty grateful overall.” That progress didn’t happen overnight. It came from consistent work, day after day, supported by access to the care and guidance he needed.
A partnership built on love
Through it all, Al hasn’t faced this journey alone. He and his wife Joy, married nearly 20 years after being introduced by friends at Grand Rapids favorite local hangout Putt Putt’s, have navigated every step side by side. When Al first came home, the level of care he needed was intense. Joy coordinated everything, organizing friends and family, managing 17 medications, and building a structured plan for daily care. “She created a handbook for everyone,” Al says. “What to do, medications, exercises...everything.” Those early days were challenging. But over time, progress came, and with it, a new rhythm.
Healing through music
Long before his illness, Al had a passion for guitar, particularly Martin acoustics. During recovery, that passion became part of his therapy. “Playing guitar was definitely part of my recovery,” he says. “My hands had to get stronger. My dexterity had to improve.”
At first, even basic movements were difficult. But over time, he improved, one chord at a time.
Then something unexpected happened.
Old friends began reaching out, wanting to learn guitar themselves. What started as a few individual asks turned into a weekly group. “I said, we’re not doing this separately, we’re all getting together,” he laughs. Now, every Wednesday, Al teaches a small group, including long time buddies from West Catholic high school. Together, they’ve learned songs, built confidence and even performed at a holiday gathering. “It brings me joy,” he says.
Living fully, every day
Today, life looks different but it’s full in new ways. Al and Joy enjoy the simple things: sitting on their back deck with a glass of wine, going for a stroll around the neighborhood and spending time with friends. They still visit Putt Putt’s, where their story began. After years of progress, Al has regained a strong sense of independence and a deep appreciation for how far he’s come.
Moving forward
Al’s journey hasn’t been easy. But it’s one defined by resilience, gratitude and steady progress. From navigating a life-threatening illness to rebuilding strength and rediscovering purpose, each step forward has mattered. And having support that felt clear, simple and reliable along the way helped make those steps possible. “I was only asking for what my doctors told me I needed,” Al says. “And I felt like that was understood.” Today, whether he’s teaching guitar, spending time with Joy or simply enjoying a quiet moment, Al is focused on what matters most: living life fully and looking ahead.
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