the BRAIN - Shepherd Center

“Sixty to 70 percent of these patients end up getting into a regular
rehabilitation program.”
PREP also addresses the patient’s family’s concerns about caring
for their loved one. “The physicians and ABI staff involve the family
and educate them about caring for the patient from the beginning,”
Dr. Kaelin says.
“From the first day we got there, I was shocked to see a team
here waiting for us,” recalls Joel’s mom, Nancy Rodriguez. “It was
amazing. They checked him out and started to explain things to me.
It was so calming the way the doctors talked to me, how thorough
they were in giving me test results, telling me everything they were
going to do.”
After about two weeks in the PREP program, Joel emerged
from the semi-comatose state he was in. Then he underwent
therapy in Shepherd’s inpatient program and continued rehabilitation
in the post-acute residential program at Shepherd Pathways.
Joel does not remember much of the first few weeks he spent at
Shepherd. His perception of the time he spent in therapy at
Shepherd is skewed, and just a week or so into his therapy at
Pathways, he felt like he was ready to return home. Like many braininjured
patients, Joel’s lack of insight into his injuries caused him to
doubt his need for continued cognitive therapy, Dr. Kaelin notes.
But Joel’s mom knew it was best for her son to complete the
full continuum of care that Shepherd offers for people with brain
injuries. “I have faith in this place,” Nancy says. “I wanted what was
best for Joel, so we stayed until he was ready to be released. The
people at Shepherd knew there was still healing that needed to
happen inside Joel’s brain.”
At Pathways, Joel attended classes that challenged him to use
cognitive reasoning and problem-solving skills. He also continued
physical, occupational and speech therapy, and participated in
group and individual counseling. Joel worked to regain function
in his paralyzed left arm and leg. He can walk short distances
with some assistance now, but continues to use a wheelchair for
longer walks.
One thing he particularly enjoyed during his therapy was
playing Wii video games that helped improve his eye-hand
coordination. He also kept in touch with his friends back home,
some of whom visited him at Shepherd. And Joel imagined the
things he’ll do as he continues to recover.
“I could dance really good,” Joel says. “I ought to get out of this
chair and show you how good. I could run fast and liked playing
basketball and football. I can’t play those now. Maybe later. I
hope in a year or so. I think I’ll have everything back.”
Sary Newman, a physical therapist at Pathways, believes Joel
will indeed be back to his old self in time.
“From a physical standpoint, his prognosis is good,” she says.
“But he’s not seeing the big picture right now and is frustrated.
That can take a while – maybe a couple of years. But he’s got a
great family who loves him, and he’s getting good care.”
SHARE Initiative
Smiles don’t flow easily from the face of 22-year-old U.S.
Army Specialist Greg Hutchinson – even now, with his whole
life ahead of him. The horrors of war are still very much a part
of him. But thanks to the SHARE Initiative at Shepherd
Center, they are no longer the sole defining statement of who
he is or who he can become.
“Six months ago, I couldn’t make it out to lunch,” Greg says.
“I’m a totally different person now. I have a different outlook.
Six months ago, if you were wearing a jacket, I’d be wondering
Photos by Gary Meek
8 Spinal Column w w w. s h e p h e r d . o r g