Meet Tony

For Tony, a medical emergency stopped him in his tracks—but with help from our team at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, he recovered with strength and perspective.

In early February, 60-year-old Tony was eagerly anticipating the birth of a new grandchild when he experienced a sudden stroke. He was in an intensive care unit for days, and while he survived, he was unable to move the entire left side of his body. Tony’s wife pushed for him to recuperate at Spaulding Cape Cod, so that he could be close to their home in Marshfield.

“I can’t say enough good things about the staff here,” says Tony. “I’ve learned that in recovery, you’re only as good as your care team. They made me believe I could do it.” A turning point in Tony’s progress was when he walked for the first time using our ZeroG system, a specialized machine that provides body-weight support to allow patients to practice walking in a safer environment. It was a big improvement from when Tony arrived and needed the assistance of two clinicians for any movement.

From physical therapy to occupational therapy, from leading-edge equipment to therapeutic recreation activities, everything we do at Spaulding Cape Cod is intentionally designed to maximize a patient’s recovery—and each element receives critical support from our donor community.

Over the course of his 41-day stay, Tony regained the use of his left side. He is now walking using his walker just for safety. “I acted like my physical therapist was my coach,” says Tony, who coached high school baseball for years. “I trusted her, did my homework, and it worked.”

“This experience was a real wake-up call for me,” says Tony. “I’m in better shape now than before my stroke, physically.” He now has the tools, structure, and motivation to address the high blood pressure that contributed to his stroke. He’s committed to keeping up his rehabilitation exercises at home along with continued outpatient therapy at Spaulding Plymouth.

Generous donations enhance the special programs that set Spaulding’s care apart. Gifts go to work right away to help current and future patients achieve their rehabilitation goals and get back to their lives.

On his discharge day, Tony walked unassisted out of Spaulding Cape Cod to spend the day on his favorite activities: getting a haircut, going out to eat with his wife, and meeting his new grandson, Jameson, for the first time in person. He has a lot to live for and is thankful to his Spaulding team for our role in his recovery.