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patient-storyLeer esta historia en español. Fall 2021 Life can change in an instant, usually when you least expect it. Larry Dicara was taking his daily, socially distanced walk with a dear friend when he was struck by an SUV traveling 60 miles per hour. The driver had suffered a heart attack and run off the road onto the sidewalk. Larry was rushed to acute care, having sustained major trauma including brain injury, laceration of his spleen and liver, and fractures in his arm, foot, pelvis, and spine. His doctors didn’t expect him to ever walk again. That’s where Spaulding came in. Larry spent more than four months rehabilitating at multiple Spaulding locations during the COVID-19 pandemic—and generous donor support helped keep him and his care team safe. Donations allowed us to purchase additional therapy equipment to set up temporary gyms on each unit at Spaulding Brighton, enabling clinicians to treat patients like Larry closer to their rooms to reduce any potential virus transmission. After weeks of intensive therapies and non-weight-bearing exercises, Larry finally got the green light to try full weight-bearing walking on his left foot. Larry’s occupational therapist, Steph, said, “Let’s see what you can do!” With his left hand on the bed rail, Larry took

Meet Larry

patient-story
Larry and his two therapists.

Taking Recovery One Step at a Time

Larry with his therapists Kelly (left) and Steph (right).

Leer esta historia en español.

Fall 2021

Life can change in an instant, usually when you least expect it.

Larry Dicara was taking his daily, socially distanced walk with a dear friend when he was struck by an SUV traveling 60 miles per hour. The driver had suffered a heart attack and run off the road onto the sidewalk.

Larry was rushed to acute care, having sustained major trauma including brain injury, laceration of his spleen and liver, and fractures in his arm, foot, pelvis, and spine. His doctors didn’t expect him to ever walk again.

That’s where Spaulding came in. Larry spent more than four months rehabilitating at multiple Spaulding locations during the COVID-19 pandemic—and generous donor support helped keep him and his care team safe. Donations allowed us to purchase additional therapy equipment to set up temporary gyms on each unit at Spaulding Brighton, enabling clinicians to treat patients like Larry closer to their rooms to reduce any potential virus transmission.

After weeks of intensive therapies and non-weight-bearing exercises, Larry finally got the green light to try full weight-bearing walking on his left foot. Larry’s occupational therapist, Steph, said, “Let’s see what you can do!”

With his left hand on the bed rail, Larry took four tentative steps forward. In that meaningful moment, Larry—and Steph—cried with relief and hope.

In the final weeks before he left Spaulding, Larry took many more steps, working up to ¼ mile. Today, Larry is home and back to his daily walks. He is grateful for the care he received at Spaulding, saying his team was made up of “good people doing good work.”

Gifts to our Annual Fund enable Spaulding to respond to urgent needs and changing conditions, so that we can provide the safest care to our most vulnerable patients. While our team addresses the needs of patients today, we must also look ahead. A commitment to innovation in rehabilitative care and research is core to Spaulding’s mission.

In Spaulding’s 50-year history, we have improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people. Together, and with generous donations, we will continue to discover and deliver the best care for all our patients—now and in the future.

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.