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Patient Stories

As a national leader in rehabilitative care, Spaulding Rehabilitation helps patients find their strength every day. But it's the words and experiences of our patients that best describe what our services can really do.

Our patient stories provide a look inside the outstanding rehabilitative services available through our network of world-class providers. We invite you to read these compelling and unforgettable stories — and learn how our rehabilitative care has changed people's lives.

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  • Patient Story

    Meet Branwen: Managing Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with Spaulding

    What does it mean to have someone believe in you? For Branwen, having a trusted care team has changed her outlook—on life, career, and motherhood. The postpartum period can come with many physical challenges for new moms. But shortly after the birth of her son, Branwen started experiencing unusual symptoms. Waking up with sudden hearing loss in one ear. Tearing her rotator cuff while simply wrapping Christmas presents. It was a confusing and worrying time for the 36-year-old as she searched for the cause. Finally, one diagnosis tied all her symptoms together: Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder characterized by joint hypermobility, joint instability, and chronic pain. Branwen first came to the Spaulding Outpatient Center in Framingham to work with her physical therapist, Annie Squires, on upper body mobility. But when Annie learned of Branwen’s EDS diagnosis, she shared that Spaulding has a special approach that considers all conditions a person with EDS may experience—not just the one that brought them in. It was the first time that Branwen had received the full care she needed. A team of Spaulding physical and occupational therapists across Spaulding Outpatient locations specializes in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome treatment. Our team approach stands out for being highly current, collaborative, and compassionate.

  • Patient Story

    Meet Brad and Catie: Finding Purpose and Healing at Spaulding Cambridge

    What keeps you going when everything in your life has changed? The last thing Brad remembers is putting on his helmet. It was October 2023, and the active 68-year-old was out driving a motorcycle—a regular activity for his part-time job in retirement. But that morning, everything would change. He was hit by a car and would spend the next three weeks in a coma in an intensive care unit (ICU) near his home in Rhode Island. Brad’s daughter, Catie, was a nursing student at the time. She spent every day in the ICU with her dad and his care team, who highly recommended Spaulding Hospital Cambridge for Brad’s recovery. “Once he got to Spaulding, it was the first time I remember leaving him at the hospital and feeling a sense of calm,” Catie says. “It was like a sigh of relief.” Brad arrived at Spaulding Cambridge with a tracheostomy and feeding tube, unable to move his legs, and in need of intensive wound care. The team was ready for him, working daily to help him return to eating, breathing on his own, and getting back on his feet. “You have a lot of time to think when you’re lying there,” says Brad. “I

  • Patient Story

    Meet Donna: Finding Her Voice Again

    What keeps you going in the face of adversity? For Spaulding patient Donna Latson Gittens, it’s a strong internal drive, a vision of getting back to her passions, a new grandchild—and a care team that sees her motivation and helps her persevere. Donna contracted listeria in summer 2023, leading to a serious brain infection. She was treated and stabilized at Massachusetts General Hospital and came to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston for her recovery. It was a challenging time for the formerly active grandmother-to-be and lifelong communications professional, who arrived paralyzed on her right side and unable to speak. Her Spaulding care team and a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and music therapy quickly got her on the path to recovery. “My care team was incredible,” Donna says. They focused on helping her regain mobility and access speech, all while addressing her lingering infection. “The breadth of knowledge shared across Donna’s care team was amazing,” says Donna’s husband, Bob. “We all felt it. Their skill level and endless patience are unmatched. Her physician, Dr. John Danko, was transparent and took the time to explain situations, while staying positive.” At Spaulding, every patient is driven by a personal “why”—a reason to rebuild after injury

  • Patient Story

    Meet Lisa A: Finding Freedom and Community with Adaptive Sports

    “Spaulding is a magical place,” says Lisa A Sims. “When I walk in the doors, there’s a positive energy in the air. I pick my head up higher and instantly feel better.” The 64-year-old knows that feeling well—she’s a frequent visitor to Spaulding, between outpatient therapy visits and participating in Spaulding adaptive sports programs several times per week. She first came to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital after experiencing a stroke in 2012. During a stroke support group session, a speaker mentioned the Spaulding Adaptive Sports program—and Lisa was intrigued. “It turned into the best thing I could have ever done,” she says. Spaulding’s Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC) is dedicated to helping people of all abilities participate in athletic and recreational activities. Over the past 20 years, SASC has grown to encompass almost 50 types of activities, offered online and in-person across three different regions in Massachusetts. It is a model for adaptive sports programming nationwide. “When I’m participating in adaptive sports, I can let my guard down and feel free,” says Lisa, who regularly participates in adaptive cycling and yoga. “I can feel myself getting stronger.” In addition to the advantages of physical activity, adaptive sports offer another benefit—community. “Being in the adaptive community is

  • Patient Story

    Meet Kristin: A Teacher’s Spaulding Story

    Injuries can put your livelihood on hold and be a daunting roadblock. But with help from a skilled and supportive rehabilitation care team, patients like Kristin can get back to their careers and cherished activities. After a scary fall, Kristin had three torn tendons in her shoulder and needed rotator cuff surgery. Coming out of surgery, she was in severe pain and anxious about what would come next. From the moment she arrived at Spaulding Outpatient Center Peabody, Kristin’s feelings shifted. The welcoming nature of the team inspired optimism, and her physical therapist (PT), Jim Corrente, made an immediate impact. “I was afraid to go to therapy because of the pain that I was in,” said Kristin. “But Jim’s personality put my mind at ease. He joked around, was positive, and got me through it.” That’s exactly what Spaulding aims to provide for all our patients—comprehensive care that makes you feel supported during your most challenging moments. “They cheered me on when I had days that I was down, and got me through the tough moments,” said Kristin. “They were so supportive, empathetic, and knowledgeable. They were good people.” Kristin, a teacher who has worked in education for 25 years, made returning to

  • Patient Story

    Meet Sam: Coordinated Care, Every Step of the Way

    Sudden health issues can derail your life. But with help from a skilled rehabilitation care team, patients like Sam can get back to living life to the fullest. Sam—who lives in Hingham with his wife, Lauren, and their three children—was diagnosed in 2023 with glioblastoma, a fast-growing brain cancer. Last fall, he experienced a brain bleed and was rushed to Brigham and Women’s Hospital for emergency surgery. He transferred to Spaulding Hospital for Continuing Medical Care Cambridge, and after 10 days he was able to “graduate” to our new Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) for his continued recovery. At Spaulding Cambridge—and especially in our new ARU—our care teams work closely with patients and families, developing partnerships that help them progress in their recoveries. “Sam’s care team was so thorough and compassionate,” says Lauren. “At a very vulnerable time in our family’s life, they went above and beyond.” Sam adds, “They saw Lauren as a central part of my care team—which she absolutely is!” As someone with a complex medical condition, Sam was impressed by how Spaulding treats the whole person. Our staff are devoted to each patient and their care plan, with a commitment to helping people regain functionality in a setting tailored to

  • Patient Story

    Meet Tony: Recovering from a Stroke with His Rehabilitation Coach

    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

  • Patient Story

    Meet José: Overcoming Pain to Find Freedom Again

    Sudden health issues can derail your life—sometimes for years. But with help from a skilled rehabilitation care team, patients like José can get back to living life to the fullest. A workplace injury in 2018 left José with back pain and numbness in his leg, which in turn led to multiple falls and a severe decline in his overall health and well-being. When he was evaluated at the Spaulding Outpatient Center Medford, he was spending all day in bed, required assistance from his partner to dress and bathe, and had stopped doing the activities that gave him joy. “I was frustrated and depressed,” says José. “I couldn’t take care of myself.” He enrolled in Spaulding’s Pain and Functional Restoration Program and began working with Eve Kennedy-Spaien, an occupational therapist and clinical supervisor, on his recovery plan. “Spaulding really considered all my injuries and what I wanted to get back to,” says José, whose comprehensive program included physical therapy with teammates Sabrina and Maggie and behavioral health with Karen, along with occupational therapy with Eve. “Eve gave me exercises, tips, and tools so that I could do things without pain,” says José. “I think about them all the time!” From advice on how to

  • Patient Story

    Meet John L: Living to the Fullest After a Complex Recovery

    With help from a skilled rehabilitation care team, patients like John can get back to living life to the fullest—even after devastating injury. John was out for an early morning walk with his wife near their home in Concord, Massachusetts, when suddenly he was hit by a car. With his neck broken in three places, John was transported via medical flight and rushed into emergency surgery. He survived, but the injury had left him unable to walk or feed himself. “I had to relearn how to do half the things I took for granted,” John says. John came to Spaulding Nursing and Therapy Center Brighton for his rehabilitation. His recovery was further complicated by his ongoing cancer treatment—he had been about to receive a bone marrow transplant and was immunocompromised. The Spaulding Brighton team was ready with all the precautions to keep John safe while he recovered. We also expertly managed his complex wound care from the accident and surgery. “The level of care and attention and love the Spaulding team provided was extraordinary,” says John. From physical therapy to occupational therapy, from therapeutic recreation to wound care, everything we do at Spaulding is intentionally designed to maximize a patient’s recovery—and each element receives

  • Patient Story

    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,’”

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