Santa is everywhere. Yes, even at the Burger King on 76th and Dodge in Omaha, Nebraska.
This is where Rod Jewell went nearly every morning for breakfast with a group of friends and fellow retirees.
An Unexpected Calling Over Breakfast
On one particular morning in 2022, a member of the crew, Doug Ryan approached Rod and said, “I could use you.” At the time, Rod was 30 pounds heavier and wore a lengthy, thick, white beard (a remnant from his time with a bout of COVID). Doug told Rod that he owned and operated a professional Santa Claus organization, and he thought Rod would make a great St. Nick.
Rod was intrigued, so he went to observe Doug, who had been a Santa for over 40 years, at a holiday party. After witnessing Doug’s style and the joy he brought to others, Rod was in. He recalls with a laugh, “Doug promised me a costume and gigs. He delivered neither of them.”
Becoming Santa on His Own Terms
So, with his carefully coiffed beard and a freshly acquired costume, Rod ventured out on his own. He procured leads from Facebook and LinkedIn, and over the next three holiday seasons, he delivered Christmas cheer, hope, and laughter to countless children around the Omaha area. At the age of 68, being Santa had become an important part of who Rod was.
A Sudden Turn that Changed Everything
But an unforeseen and sudden event in the summer of 2025 cast every aspect of Rod’s identity into turmoil.
On Thursday, July 17th, as he was preparing for his day, Rod began to lose strength and coordination on the left side of his body. His speech was slurred when he called his wife for advice. She urged him to call 911.
Instead, Rod decided to drive himself to the hospital. Inexplicably, he navigated rush hour traffic while steering one-handed and accelerating and braking with only his right foot. The Burger King at 72nd and Dodge was on the way to Methodist Hospital. Rod says he considered stopping in just for a quick visit but wisely drove by.
He miraculously pulled into a parking stall at the emergency room and was rushed for treatment for a massive left-sided stroke.
The Road Through Rehabilitation
Less than a week after his stroke, Rod admitted to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Omaha, where he made impressive cognitive and physical gains. Then, on September 10th, Rod transferred to QLI. A primary focus of
Rod’s program was to build on his progress and envision what life after a stroke could be.
Reimagining Santa During Recovery
Early in his stay at QLI, Rod mentioned donning the Santa costume again. But his clinical team felt it wasn’t quite time given where he was in his recovery. However, the idea was put on the front burner after Rod made an impressive and memorable appearance as Santa Claus during the Halloween festivities at QLI.
The vision was for Rod to make an appearance at a Christmas party for children and families of QLI team members and clients. It became a driving focal point of his therapies. It also provided the only opportunity many of the kids would have to see Santa this year.
A Team Effort to Bring Santa Back
“It was a super collaborative event,” says Kaitie Correll, Rod’s speech therapist who helped Rod regain his booming Santa bellow and hearty laugh. Their sessions also focused on building Rod’s cognitive and social endurance. Speech and Life Skills Assistant, Taryn Owens assisted Rod with planning all the organizational aspects of the evening.
Rod’s occupational therapist, Ellie Messerschmidt and his physical therapist, Kelly Sheldon ensured Rod was safe and successful from a physical standpoint. They also helped Rod problem solve how to engage and interact with the children given Rod’s affected left side.
Checking the List – Twice
Flyers, tablecloths, coloring books, frosting for cookie decorating, candy canes—Rod had a list, and his team made sure he checked it twice. Rod jokes, “They wanted me to plan a party. And I said, ‘Hey, I’m just the talent. I usually have elves to do this.’”
Regarding the elves, Rod charmed fellow QLI rehabilitation client, Makennah Tyree into being his helper for the evening.
A Triumphant Return Just in Time for Christmas
And so, on the night of Tuesday, December 16th, a day before Rod’s discharge from QLI and his move back to his home in Omaha, Santa made his triumphant return.
The QLI Colladay Center was transformed and Rod was truly magical. He flawlessly recalled the names of every child, and he was careful not to overpromise extravagant or exotic gift requests.
Rod said, in the past, if a child told him he wasn’t the real Santa, he’d whisper, “do you really want to take a chance on that, kid?” There were no such challenges on this wonderful evening. None of the children took note of Rod using one arm as he waved, shook hands and motioned them closer for a secret message. Out of earshot of the parents, Rod asked each child to help their parents around the house during this busy time of the year. He then told them to run and hug them and tell them they love them and say, “Merry Christmas.”
More than a Performance – A Sense of Self Restored
Reflecting on the experience, Ellie says, “to see the culmination of all of his hard work and all of the things that we had worked on for his program, and to give him the closure of being Santa just in time for Christmas was cool.” Finally, Kelly sums it by saying, “it was true to the core of who Rodney is.”
When asked what lessons he’s learned since that fateful day in July, Rod says, “The stroke is not a disability. It’s different, but I have abilities and QLI brought that out in me.”
Just as this Santa returned the gift of wonder wrapped in a much-needed sense of belief for so many grateful recipients this Christmas at QLI.
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