Rehabilitation in medicine is a crucial phase post-injury and post-hospitalization, often accompanied by reduced functionality and independence, anxiety, and adapting to a “new normal.” Our GHHS Capstone Project aims to spotlight the patient’s perspective on rehabilitation with three primary objectives:

1. Exemplifying Resilience: Through hearing and seeing patients facing adversities and navigating unique paths, we seek to showcase the resilience of people going through life-altering events and taking momentous steps within their rehabilitation journey. We hope their resilience and narratives further inspire and connect us as we resonate with their stories, motivations, and goals.

2. Community Awareness & Support: Sharing meaningful insights from patients’ rehabilitation experiences will enable us to engage with the broader rehabilitation-supportive community. Highlighting life-enriching lessons for those who may be experiencing similar journeys, individuals, caregivers, and loved ones can be better aware of and support the challenges and successes in post-hospitalization rehab.

3. Strengthening Patient-Provider Relationships: Finally, by sharing patient narratives, we aim to deepen the understanding within the patient-provider relationship and further nurture an empathetic interdisciplinary rehabilitation team for all clinicians and trainees.

After Bob noticed a lack of “pep” one morning, his wife called an ambulance, where he experienced a heart attack commonly known as the “widow-maker”. He underwent a total of five coronary artery bypasses, requiring ECMO support, dialysis, and temporary comfort care. His road to recovery was challenging, as his organs struggled to recover from the surgery. Despite the difficulties, Bob remained motivated by his motto of “not giving up” and “keep on chugging.” Supported by his loving wife, children, and grandchildren, he found strength in the thought of being able to enjoy activities like fishing, driving his truck, and crabbing again. These aspirations served as powerful incentives for his commitment to recovery.

Listen to Bob tell his story below.

Alyssa’s life was drastically changed after she was hit by a car while standing outside her car, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and major fractures in the summer of 2023. She could barely talk and couldn’t move her right side at all when she first started her rehab journey. Her proudest accomplishment so far has been when she started to walk without pain. Through her journey, she is motivated to continue to walk so she can care for her animals. As she makes steady progress in her own rehab journey, she has helped organize fundraisers to get kids gifts at Christmas. Alyssa’s perseverance and spirit shine through the ups and downs of her journey.

You can listen to Alyssa’s tell her story below.

In January 2024, Talia Keiser experienced a right vertebral artery dissection and subsequent stroke which needed surgical treatment and an extensive hospital stay. She endured a variety of new challenges such as speech difficulties, coordination and balance deficits, vision impairments, and was unable to walk by herself. Talia sees her family, especially her kids, as her main motivation to continue to regain her functionality and independence through her rehabilitation journey. She also took a moment to emphasize the importance of raising stroke awareness through her story.  When asked what her next goal is, Talia is confidently aiming to “walk on my own.” Shown taking big, determined strides toward this goal below, Talia will no doubt be pushing on to new accomplishments with each coming day.

You can listen to Talia tell her story below

Idia experienced a substantial car crash in July of 2023 where she sustained multiple fractures throughout her arms, hips, and legs. This painful experience took her from being fully independent to a situation where she required comprehensive assistance in day-to-day tasks. She states that working through the pain, keeping your goals in mind, and trusting the people who are helping you, allows her to take her recovery forward little by little. For Idia, this means trying to return to independence as strongly as possible for her daughter, as “she needs a mom, a present mom, a walking mom”. Her next goal is to confidently walk without her forearm crutch device and without losing balance.

You can listen to Idia tell her own story below.