The Road to Recovery

begins with Winter Haven Hospital Rehabilitation Services

“Winning” is a common feeling expressed by
persons receiving rehabilitation services. Many of the patients served at the Joy-Fuller Rehabilitation Center feel they have won against all odds.

One such patient is Cheryl Wilson, age 42. Ms. Wilson was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 2/12/04. She was air
lifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where she received her initial care for a brain injury and many broken bones. Ms.
Wilson had been in a coma for 7 days before awakening. After approximately 3 weeks, she was transferred to the Joy-
Fuller Rehabilitation Center for her intensive rehabilitation program, where she states, “it was heaven.” She, like all patients, received an average of three hours of therapy per day at least five days per week, and additional therapy services on the weekend based upon her needs. Many of Ms. Wilson’s first memories are cloudy, due to her brain injury, but she recalls “they were so nice and patient with me. The staff
stayed with me and helped me through each day, the sitters were great!” Her motivation continued after discharge, when
she went back to college, and in spite of discouragement from others, finished her degree. Ms. Wilson successfully completed her Associate of Science Degree in Medical Assisting from Florida Metropolitan University in October 2004. Her overall GPA was 3.4. She said she owes her success to the Joy-Fuller Rehabilitation Center and the Outpatient ESTEEM
program. “All of the therapy staff were great. They helped me accomplish my goal; I graduated from school.” Life is not so simple since her accident. I battle with short term memory loss and difficulty with some physical things.” “My whole life has changed, everything I knew. However, change is good. It woke me up a lot. With rehabilitation I learned resources to help me get through each day, Ultimately I won.”

Serving our community is our WINNING GOAL! During the fiscal year September 2003-October 2004, the Joy-Fuller Rehabilitation Center served 375 people. Their average age was 65, with 52% being male and 48% female. We constantly are comparing our patient care outcomes to those within our region and across the nation, and our “winning” results are comparable. In fact, 94% of our patients’ rated our delivery and quality of care as very good to excellent. The numbers of
the persons we admitted with our most commonly served diagnoses were: Stroke (135), Brain Injuries (46), Orthopedic
Disorders (114), Multiple Trauma (14), Spinal Cord Dysfunction (37), Amputation of Limb (13), and Other Neurological/ Medical Conditions (16). For many patients, discharging to their community of choice is the ultimate goal. We discharged 80% of the Joy-Fuller Rehabilitation Center patients back to their community of choice. We assisted them in their goal by providing intensive rehabilitation therapies, which decreased their length of time in an inpatient rehab center. Our lengths of stay for the above diagnoses have “winning” results. Stroke (17 days), Brain Injuries (18 days), Orthopedic Disorders (9 days), Multiple Trauma with Brain/Spinal Cord Injury (21days), Spinal Cord Dysfunction (15 days), Amputation of Limb (16 days), and Other Neurological/ Medical Conditions (12 days).

Another of our “winning” patients was Jared Kelley, age 18. Mr. Kelley was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 10/8/04, and was air lifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with a severe traumatic brain injury. After approximately 5 weeks, he was transferred to the Joy- Fuller Rehabilitation Center. Jared’s immediate focus was to go home. “The rehabilitation staff helped me take my mind off of wanting to leave.” “They made rehab fun.” “I played checkers with Sabrina (one of his caregivers), and cards with the staff.” “Sabrina became his
second mother,” stated Mrs. Kelley, Jared’s mother. He has noticed his strength, endurance, and short-term memory are not as good as they were before his injury. However, “the rehab programs taught me to write things down and repeat them to myself. This helps me remember, and I continue to work out at the gym.” Jared has continued to work on his goal, which is to finish high school. “I’m taking some home bound courses right now and plan to start back in school the next school year. I have an “A” in my class right now.” Wow, what a winner! Sometimes in life we learn lessons the hard way. Jared comments, “Before the accident I was on the wrong road. The wreck was a good thing. I see things in a different way. I am focusing on what is important in life, my school, and to stay away from drugs and alcohol.” “Rehab helped me put the pieces of the puzzle back together.” The Joy-Fuller Rehabilitation Center focuses not only on the patient, but the family as a whole unit. “They adopted me as one of their own
family members,” commented Mrs. Kelley. “Everyday is a milestone. Rehab is a bittersweet experience." The Joy-Fuller
Rehabilitation Center focuses on every step taken to the finish line.