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patient-story2022-05-05 12:00:00Leer esta historia en español. Spring 2022 Because of Spaulding, patients like Alan LaChance can make incredible recoveries. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Alan woke up feeling like he couldn’t breathe. He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19. The 37-year-old’s condition declined rapidly, and he sent a text to close friends saying he knew he was dying. That’s the last thing Alan remembers before he woke up four weeks later. Alan had been put on a ventilator and sustained multiple strokes while unconscious. He was no longer able to speak or move his right side. Alan and his family knew he needed to go to Spaulding Cape Cod for his rehabilitation. “Spaulding Cape Cod gives you the tools to recover,” Alan says. “With two young kids, I have a lot to work for.” New, innovative therapies discovered through research can enhance recovery and quality of life for people overcoming conditions such as COVID-19 or stroke—or both, like Alan. By helping us invest in leading-edge rehabilitation technologies, clinical training on innovative therapies and groundbreaking research, donations to Spaulding have an impact on our patients today and for years to come. As an avid exerciser and active employee at a utility company, Alan adopted a “bootcamp” mentality at Spaulding Cape Cod and resolved to “get up

Meet Alan

patient-story

May 5, 2022

Alan and his care team pose together on the day Alan leaves the hospital.

A Second Chance at Life After Stroke and COVID-19

Alan (third from left) with his Spaulding Cape Cod care team, the day of his discharge home.

Leer esta historia en español.

Spring 2022

Because of Spaulding, patients like Alan LaChance can make incredible recoveries.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, Alan woke up feeling like he couldn’t breathe. He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19. The 37-year-old’s condition declined rapidly, and he sent a text to close friends saying he knew he was dying.

That’s the last thing Alan remembers before he woke up four weeks later.

Alan had been put on a ventilator and sustained multiple strokes while unconscious. He was no longer able to speak or move his right side. Alan and his family knew he needed to go to Spaulding Cape Cod for his rehabilitation.

“Spaulding Cape Cod gives you the tools to recover,” Alan says. “With two young kids, I have a lot to work for.”

New, innovative therapies discovered through research can enhance recovery and quality of life for people overcoming conditions such as COVID-19 or stroke—or both, like Alan. By helping us invest in leading-edge rehabilitation technologies, clinical training on innovative therapies and groundbreaking research, donations to Spaulding have an impact on our patients today and for years to come.

As an avid exerciser and active employee at a utility company, Alan adopted a “bootcamp” mentality at Spaulding Cape Cod and resolved to “get up every day and get better.” He signed up for additional physical and occupational therapy sessions, and even set up a “home gym” in his hospital room for extra practice.

Alan especially credits his care team for helping him through the early challenges of his physical and mental recovery. He persevered, and walked out of Spaulding Cape Cod in early March.

Alan has set his next goal: to climb a utility pole and get back to work by this summer. In the meantime, he’s focused on being present with his family: he’s back to coaching his kids’ baseball teams and showing them just how much he loves them, every precious day.

Spaulding donors help make impossible recoveries possible. Just imagine what you will make possible for patients like Alan—and their families—with your generous gift today.

Imagine the Possibilities

At a time when scientific advancements can help make the impossible possible, an investment in rehabilitation medicine has never been more necessary — or more promising.

Your gift to Spaulding can make a real difference... starting now.

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