From Setback to Comeback: Bruce’s Story of Strength

A medical setback can stop people in their tracks and bring uncertainty and apprehension about the recovery ahead. For Bruce Molay, he saw his setback as an opportunity to pause and reset—ultimately coming out stronger. 

On May 26, 2024, Bruce tripped and broke his right hip and collarbone. He was taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he underwent surgery and learned he would need rehabilitation care. Being familiar with Spaulding Rehabilitation, Bruce knew it was the place he needed to be.

When Bruce got to Spaulding Boston, he realized he could reset and come out stronger than before his accident. “When I arrived in my private room at Spaulding I thought, ‘Wow, have I hit the jackpot,’” said Bruce. “I got to Spaulding with no fear and the highest hopes, and everything exceeded my expectations.”

During his inpatient care at Spaulding, Bruce was amazed at the progress he was making. “There were times early on where I teared up in relief and joy after performing a task as simple as putting on socks without an assistive device or raising my knee to the bar on my walker and my therapists would say, ‘Yes this is working, you’re going to be okay,’” said Bruce. “They only gave me challenges I could—to my delight—meet. Never once did someone ask me to move in some way that was beyond my ability. Every encounter built my confidence and strength.” It was that belief and positivity that left a lasting impression on Bruce.

After his 10-day inpatient stay, Bruce had made tremendous progress, but needed an intermediate step in his intensive recovery before returning home full-time. That’s when his case manager, Sarah, stepped in and recommended the Bridge Program, a 30-day daily intensive outpatient therapy program at Spaulding aimed at accelerating the recovery process. Bruce was concerned with the lack of accessibility in his home, so Sarah set him up in a fully accessible apartment conveniently located next to Spaulding Boston, offered through our Supportive Surroundings program. This donor-funded program gave Bruce flexibility, prepared him for the return home, and provided an easy commute to his appointments nearby. He fondly recalls the daily walks he took while staying in the Supportive Surroundings apartment, setting a goal with his caregivers to visit every café in Charlestown for a croissant. The routine brightened his mood and was visible proof of his progress as his mileage increased.

Donations help Spaulding invest in our dedicated staff and clinicians, in specialized programs like Supportive Surroundings, and in state-of-the-art equipment and technology that makes the Spaulding experience so unique. Your gifts help Spaulding meet the needs of patients like Bruce during their complex and intensive rehabilitation journeys.

Prior to his injury, Bruce had gotten away from many activities and his routines were further disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After decades of teaching computer science and mathematics to high school, college, and adult students, Bruce had stepped away from his career to care for his ailing mother. He lacked a regular exercise routine and felt like his physical and mental health was in decline. After his fall, he saw an opportunity to make a change for the better. “I realized I don’t have to decline after leaving my career and losing my mother. I can make something of this, and I will,” said Bruce. “This was a massive emotional turnaround. I thought to myself, I’m not going to die—I’m going to go back and live. And Spaulding was right there to help me make that shift.”

After returning home and receiving additional outpatient physical therapy with Spaulding, Bruce felt like he achieved a nearly complete recovery. Today, Bruce is back to teaching computer science remotely for the Harvard Extension School. He keeps up his daily walks and his rehabilitation routines at home. As a result, he’s feeling stronger than ever before. “This is one of the most positive things I could have imagined at this point in my life, which is a really odd thing to say for a broken hip,” said Bruce. “I am in better shape than I was years before the accident. At the age of 71, I now have the vital signs and the muscle that I had at age 40.”

As a gesture of thanks for the care he received, Bruce generously contributed to the Supportive Surroundings program and plans to be a continued donor. He wrote a heartfelt letter to Spaulding leaders praising his care team. “The people were so supportive, skilled, and patient,” said Bruce. “For every problem and every obstacle, there was a solution.”

With your support, we can make more recoveries like Bruce’s possible. Thank you for investing in our patients with your gift to Spaulding Rehabilitation today.