HOUSTON – Anyone who knows someone who has suffered a stroke understands the struggle — the sudden loss of independence, the uphill climb to regain even the smallest movements.
For J.P. Shellnut, a Houston-based actor and one of Billy Bob Thornton’s closest friends, that climb has turned into a comeback story.
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Five years ago, a stroke left Shellnut paralyzed on his left side. Everyday tasks — gripping a spoon, walking steadily, bathing without help — felt impossible. But six months ago, he underwent a breakthrough procedure at Memorial Hermann TIRR that changed his trajectory.
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Thornton, who has shared the screen with Shellnut in several films, sent a heartfelt video message thanking Shellnut’s care team at TIRR Kirby Glen for their dedication.
“Thanks for taking care of my pal, J.P. Shellnut,” Thornton said.
Doctors implanted the Vivistim System, a device placed in his neck that stimulates the vagus nerve to help the brain form new neural pathways. When paired with rehabilitation, the device helps stroke survivors regain lost motor function.
According to Memorial Hermann, “stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the U.S.” Survivors often face lingering paralysis or difficulty speaking, even years after the initial medical emergency.
For Shellnut, the Vivistim device has meant tangible progress. Since the surgery, he has been able to walk on a treadmill, cook breakfast, and even bathe himself for the first time in years.
He continues therapy at TIRR Memorial Hermann Kirby Glen while using Vivistim at home. Each milestone, he says, brings him closer to his goal of returning to acting.
For now, Shellnut is celebrating each small victory, hopeful that his return to independence could also one day lead to a return to the big screen.