Randy Travis made a rare public appearance after having a stroke last year, and his fiancee said he's getting back to what he loves: singing.
The 55-year-old country music singer walked without assistance at the event Thursday night in Denison, Texas, to benefit the Four Rivers Outreach, a faith-based organization assisting people with substance abuse problems.
Travis performed at last year's event — the organization's third — which raised $169,000.
"The second year we raised $105,000; last year we raised $169,000," said Arthur Horn, co-founder of the charitable organization. "Just being able to be here is a big improvement, because he couldn't even get out of the hospital and travel for a long time."
Mary Davis, Travis' fiancee, said the singer has made improvements since his stroke last year, but he has a long recovery ahead.
"Every day we go to speech therapy and physical therapy and occupational therapy," she told KTEN-TV, Texoma. "We're learning words and phrases; learning to sing. Of course, the music and the songs come easy for him ... he's working on it. He's got the heart of a warrior, and he doesn't stop."
"He knows that the road ahead of us is long and tedious, but he's up for the challenge," she added. "He's never, never shied away from it... never asked, 'Why me?'
Source: UPI