Steven Lott of South Bend, Ind., was living life as normal. He enjoyed working, spending time with his family at home, watching television, and going to church. But then Steven suffered a severe bacterial infection that began to attack his body. His wife was in Florida at the time, but she called emergency services to their home when Steven didn’t answer the phone. He was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital to treat his infection.

After initial treatment at the hospital, Steven was referred to Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana (RHNI). Steven says he thanks God for being a part of his journey that led him to the rehabilitation hospital.

While at RHNI, Steven says he noticed that the therapists do an amazing job at creating an environment that makes you want to get better. “It’s an environment that is genuinely health-focused,” he says. “Working with my physical therapist, Sarah, always helped me stay motivated to be the best I could be. I loved watching all of the therapists interact with their patients in such kind ways.”

After 16 days at RHNI, Steven was discharged home and began returning to the activities that he enjoys.

Steven’s goal is to continue to get stronger so he can visit his daughters and grandchildren in Florida. Eventually, he’d like to move to Florida so he can share more time with his family. He also plans to open a ministry to focus on wholeness and health, which he says God helped him see through this situation.

“We are stewards of our own health,” he says.