Reviewers from The Joint Commission recently ... - Shepherd Center

equipment was an encouragement.I rode ATVs on trails, too. Doing thingsI knew I couldn’t do at home was cool.”Shepherd has the largest TR departmentin the nation, and almost all ofits services are provided as a communitybenefit funded by donors. In otherwords, Medicaid, Medicare and insurancecompanies do not typically offsetany of the costs of these programs.“Payors do not consider TR abenefit for a patient’s development,”Kelly explains. “But we have learned atShepherd Center that TR is a priorityboth mentally and physically forpatients to gain the confidence toreturn to their lives. It gives individualsindependence in leisure skill activities,confidence in themselves and theknowledge that they can be successfulin the community.“This therapy is a huge componentto promote individual rehabilitation sopatients can be contributing membersof society,” she adds.At Shepherd, if you can imagine asport or activity, odds are pretty goodthe TR Department offers it.“Kayaking is a sport that manypeople like because they naturallylike being on the water and outside,”Kelly says. “And kayaking is great forworking on a person’s balance andstrength. It is a leisure skill you can doalone or with someone.“During different seasons, differentleisure activites are popular,” sheadds. “There is hunting, camping,tubing, gardening, drama, swimming,sports, musical instruments, paintingor pottery, community outingsand more. Every skill gives a persona different benefit by working on finemotor skills, transfers from a wheelchairto another seat, confidence,enjoyment and mobility skills.”For Ryan, the enjoyment part of itwas as critical as the motor skills orother physical benefits of the program.“Accepting my injury was pretty hardat first because I was so active in waterskiing and surfing,” he says. “Once Ifound out my injury was permanent,I wanted to find a way to do the thingsI enjoyed before my accident. Fourmonths after the accident, I startedlearning new ways to ski and surf.”Ryan has come a long way sincethen. He drives and lives independently,and he has maintained hisupper body strength. Ryan hopes fora medical miracle one day. Until then,though, he says he’s content withbuilding strength in his legs and workingon a business andmarketing degreefrom the Universityof South Floridaat Sarasota.Ed Leatherman of Miami, Fla.“Once I found out my injury was permanent, I wanted to find a wayto do the things I enjoyed before my accident.”— Ryan Bergeronenjoying life AGAINn e w www.shepherdTV.org3