Steven Haigh was living a normal work and home life before his accident. One day while hanging trim on his house, he fell off a ladder and had to have spinal surgery…
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.
In November, he had an elective lumbar spondylosis surgery for his back that led to needing intensive inpatient rehabilitation as part of his recovery.
Beverly is grateful for the care she received at RHNI as she rehabilitated following surgery.
With her grandson playing out in the yard, Beverly Stoops decided to check on him. But, on her way over to look out a window, Beverly slipped on a throw rug and fell. Fortunately, Beverly’s son was already on the way to her house. He took her to Elkhart General Hospital, where Beverly underwent surgery.
Before she could safely return home, Beverly needed post-surgical rehabilitation to regain her independence, strength, and endurance. Her niece worked in the therapy department at Elkhart General Hospital and knew of a former coworker now employed as a clinical liaison at Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana. Beverly took her niece’s recommendation and admitted to RHNI for intensive rehabilitation.
Beverly is so grateful for her niece’s recommendation. “My stay was great! The team showed me they cared, and they would help as much as I wanted.” Mariah and Chris in the therapy department stood out to Beverly in particular. “They always wanted to be of help to me,” she stated. Beverly also noted that her mother was of influence, as Beverly remembers her mother having surgery and that her mother would never back away from help.
Beverly looks forward to seeing all her family and spending time with her two sons, seven grandkids, and 13 great-grandkids.
Dora came to RHNI to regain her independence after a stroke
At 48 years old, Dora Sadler worked hard to control her high blood pressure. With a history of cerebrovascular accident, or CVA, in her family, Dora understood the importance of doing so.
One day, Dora began to feel off balance a few hours into her 12-hour shift at Lippert’s in Bristol. One of her coworkers called EMS, which transported Dora to Goshen Hospital.
At the hospital, Dora received news that she had suffered a mild stroke. Once stabilized, Dora returned home, only to suffer a second, more severe stroke two weeks later.
Dora returned to Goshen Hospital and met with a neurologist. Unfortunately, the neurologist didn’t think Dora would get much better. She experienced a burning sensation in her muscles on her left side, “very bad” shakes, and a stutter.
But Dora is a fiercely independent woman. “I did not want my family having the burden to care for me, and I wasn’t going to have to depend upon a wheelchair or walker,” Dora stated. “I needed intensive therapy!”
Dora decided to admit to Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana (RHNI) for her stroke recovery. She spent 16 days at the inpatient rehabilitation hospital and made significant progress.
“I am so glad for this place,” Dora stated. “I am not 100% prior to my stroke, but 110% from when it first happened. All the therapy helped me and put me on my way to making me better. They pushed me to what I could do.”
Dora wished to thank her speech therapists for making her feel better by talking slower, as the stroke significantly impacted Dora’s speech. “Speech therapy encouraged me. I am very proud to be where I am at today. It feels so good to be able to sit and talk and not be so tired due to my shakes.”
With an eye toward her next steps, the RHNI team worked with Dora to develop a plan and set her up for success. “Case management provided me a list of outside agencies that will come into my home and help me accomplish things the right and safe way,” she noted. Dora’s family also participated in family training at RHNI so they could safely help Dora at home. “Family training day was the first day my daughter came to see me as I didn’t want her to worry about me, and I wanted to walk to her.”
And that’s exactly what Dora did.
Dora would like to advise others, “don’t look to the bad. You will not see the good, and you must keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward.” Dora is looking forward to taking care of herself, walking around her house, playing with her granddaughter, fishing, and skating again.
Dr. Thomas and his wife, Carole, had a wonderful experience at RHNI as he recovered from surgery on his spine.
Retired after 33 years as a urologist, Dr. Michael Thomas lives a very active life in Elkhart with his wife, Carole. Dr. Thomas particularly enjoys playing golf as a part of his social and physical life. But back problems left his future on the links in doubt.
Having previously had back surgery, Dr. Thomas again faced a decision whether to undergo elective surgery on his spine. “I knew I needed this procedure, as I didn’t want to be a couch potato,” he said. So Dr. Thomas decided to have an elective lumbar spondylosis surgery. Following the surgery, he required intensive inpatient rehabilitation.
While at Elkhart General Hospital, a clinical liaison spoke with the Thomases about rehabilitation and what it entails. Carole then toured the two inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the area and decided upon Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana for the next phase of her husband’s recovery. “I liked how the parking lot is right out front of the hospital, how the hospital was very clean, and that it is a free-standing rehabilitation hospital,” she noted. Dr. Thomas also found comfort in knowing an employee at RHNI from their days working together at Elkhart General.
“While a building is a building, the staff makes it happen. They are outstanding, caring, and positive.”
From day one, Bob Taylor was impressed with the care he received at RHNI.
Dartboards and the first Olympic swimming pool may not have made it to South Bend without the help of Robert “Bob” Taylor. Bob enjoyed his many years of coaching high school sports and teaching Public Affairs to the students at Indiana University. As a former City Councilman of South Bend, IN, Bob likes connecting with people and staying active.
Bob uses a cane to help him get around. On Thanksgiving Day, he was helping his wife carry items from the garage and decided to use both of his hands. This decision resulted in a ground-level fall in which he sustained a right humeral fracture while impacting his head.
Over the next month, Bob became weak and experienced confusion. Then, one January day, Bob and his wife went to the Elkhart General emergency room. They admitted him to their ICU unit with a bilateral subdural hematoma. He later underwent a burr hole drainage procedure.
Ten days post-op, Bob arrived at Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana to begin intense therapy. His family chose RHNI as they have heard good things in the community. After only a day or two, Bob was already impressed with the team. He said, “While a building is a building, the staff makes it happen. They are outstanding, caring, and positive.” Everyone he met he liked and trusted them with his care.
During his 17 days at RHNI, Bob utilized the hospital’s therapy board in his room. It kept him updated and on track to meet his goals. He explained, “Inpatient rehabilitation is like no other! This is definitely the way to go.”
Bob looks forward to returning home with his wife, Nancy, and is very thankful for her unconditional support. Bob now truly understands what great care looks like!
“My 13-day stay at RHNI was nothing but awesome. From the food to the care, everything and everyone was spot on.”
In January, Brady August went for a routine checkup. During his visit, they found a small cancerous mass on his lung. He had it surgically removed at IU Health University Hospital. Shortly after his successful surgery, he went into advanced cardiac arrest. His heart stopped beating, and they had to use a defibrillator eight times.
In critical condition, Brady was bedridden for two weeks. His case manager at IU Health University Hospital spoke to Brady and his sisters and presented some continued care options. They chose Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana to complete intensive therapy to regain his strength.
Not familiar with rehabilitation, Brady didn’t know what to expect. He stated, “My 13-day stay at RHNI was nothing but awesome. From the food to the care, everything and everyone was spot on.”
Brady was extremely impressed with the team and the facility as well. “The new building is attractive, and this team really backs up the stunning appearance.” He attributes his success to the team at RHNI and said that his goals were their goals. He connected with his therapist Jane and said she was realistic, pushed him to achieve his goals, and kept him informed.
“Rehab was a positive, positive experience. Friend to friend, not professional to a client, is the feeling I received at RHNI.”
Brady’s strength has really improved, but he knows his endurance will take some time to build back up. He is looking forward to getting back to Reins of Life and being an advocate for the youth of South Bend.
“I felt so blessed with the unbelievable care I received.”
Joseph Steenbeke of Mishawaka, IN is an avid Belgium bowler. He spends his time on the St. Joseph River, where he enjoys the water and fishing. He also spends his days painting, woodworking, and reading the Bible.
In November, on his birthday, Joe had an appointment at the VA Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN. During this visit, he met with a pulmonologist who diagnosed Joe with a pulmonary embolism. After a few nights in the VA Hospital, they determined Joe needed intense therapy to return home safely. Case management placed a call to Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana, knowing it would be a perfect fit for Joe.
After ten days at RHNI, Joe returned home to his wife and family. Joe was initially scheduled to stay a few more days, but he quickly reached his goals allowing him to discharge ahead of schedule. Joe gives a lot of credit to his RHNI therapy team of Louie, Chris, Tara, and Becky. They gave him the motivation he needed to recover. He also received support from his nursing team, as Joe needed help showering and utilizing the bathroom. When describing the staff, Joe said, “They are all a part of my family.”
Joe stated, “I didn’t have one bad meal. I would place a smiley face on my empty plate so the kitchen would know I appreciate them. I loved every moment I was there and felt so blessed with the unbelievable care I received. On the day I left, they threw a party for me that will stay with me and my family all my life. My family was so impressed and appreciative.”
Joe has a planned Achilles surgery in late January 2022 and hopes to return to RHNI for his therapy.
“I’m going to walk out of here when it comes time for me to leave.”
Ezequiel Flores of Bremen, IN is a hard-working and dedicated family man with strong roots in his community. He worked in the foundry at Bremen Castings and performed heavy lifting and general maintenance.
In September, Ezequiel progressively felt weaker and weaker. This weakness led to a severe fall at work and a trip to the emergency department at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. They admitted him with an acute axonal variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
After spending several weeks in the hospital, Ezequiel’s condition continued to deteriorate. While in the hospital, he suffered acute respiratory failure due to pneumonia and ascending paralysis of all four of his extremities. Once he stabilized, Ezequiel came to Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Indiana for intensive therapy and rehabilitation.
Upon admission, Ezequiel couldn’t move his extremities without maximum effort. During his therapy evaluations, he stated his goal, “I’m going to walk out of here when it comes time for me to leave.”
Close to 28 days later, and just two days before Thanksgiving, Ezequiel did just that. Not only was his rehabilitation successful, but he walked out on discharge day only needing a single-point cane. Congratulations on a job well done, Ezequiel! Everyone at RHNI is so proud of you and your motivation to get better!
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4807 Edison Lakes Parkway
Mishawaka, IN 46545
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