Stroke survivor inspires community with daily thumbs-up for 10 years

EATON RAPIDS, Mich. (InvestigateTV) — For 10 years, George Doxtader has made a difference in his community by spreading joy with a thumbs-up.

The 78-year-old sits on a bench at the corner of State and Main streets in Eaton Rapids and lifts his thumb to greet passersby.

“He gets up very early, he’s out here a lot of times at 4 a.m.,” his friend, Kurt Norgaard, said. “And you’ll see a lot of waving and beeping, just how it is.”

Community notices when he’s absent

Doxtader is not there every day. He takes breaks for church and other activities.

Norgaard said if Doxtader is missing for any stretch of time, the community takes notice.

“Oh yeah, it comes up in the community. ‘Hey what happened to George? Where’s George at?’” Norgaard said.

Pastor Jenny Rouble of First Congregational Church said Doxtader is not only a member of her congregation but also a friend and a blessing to the community.

“It just makes them happy to see his smiling face and his thumbs-up,” Rouble said.

Drivers honk their horns and call out greetings as they pass.

“I guess you can tell by when the people go by, they’re honking their horns. They know his name,” Rouble said.

Overcoming challenges with positivity

What many might not know is that Doxtader suffered two major strokes 35 years ago.

He has paralysis on the right side of his body and sometimes he has trouble speaking.

“Slow and gradually,” Doxtader said when describing his speech.

Despite his challenges, he smiles and offers a friendly gesture to everyone who passes by.

When he is not greeting passersby, Doxtader passes the time crocheting blankets and pictures, all with his left hand.

He never misses a chance to share his positive perspective on life.

“Yes,” Doxtader said when asked about spreading inspiration.

“Yes, that’s the goal, right? Yeah, that’s the goal is the inspiration in a complicated world,” Rouble added.

See the full story by David Andrews here.