ENTERTAINMENT

For Randy Travis, a long road back from stroke

Cindy Watts
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Randy Travis and his wife, Mary Davis-Travis, speak after he was announced as the next inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame on March 29, 2016, in Nashville.

After the announcement that Randy Travis would would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the famed country singer sat beside his wife on stage at the CMA Theater, where she shared his progress recovering from a life-threatening stroke in 2013. Travis spent six months in the hospital recovering from the episode that initially took his voice and his ability to walk.

Today, Travis has regained his mobility and can communicate a word or two at a time. Earlier this year, he even sang "Amazing Grace" at a friend's funeral even though his wife, Mary Davis-Travis, said he didn't feel ready. But, he's getting there.

"It's healing every day," explained Davis-Travis. "There's what I call giant baby steps."

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Davis-Travis said the couple didn't wake up every morning and realize the singer was significantly healed in major areas. Instead, their triumphs come from being able to walk an extra lap in physical rehabilitation or adding an extra sound or word to his vocabulary.

"It's those things that mean so much," she said. "It's certainly put life in  perspective as far as what we need to focus on. ... His goal is to get back on the stage and sing again. There's no quit in this man."