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Bridge to RecoveryPayton Bullock of Puryear, Tenn., with wife Stacy(center) and Barbara Teague of Shepherd CenterAfter a caraccident andnear-fatal stroke,a college professorresumes her life,thanks to supportfrom Shepherd.Clotee Washington willnever forget the night shewatched her daughter,Rynetta, have a stroke.It was Dec. 27, 2007 in Mississippi.Rynetta, a university professor, hadbeen in a car accident. Her parentsmet her at the Memphis, Tenn., hospitalto which she had been airlifted.“She was communicating with us,asking us what happened,” Cloteerecalls. “Then we watched her havethe stroke.”Caused by the brain trauma shesustained in the accident, the strokeleft Rynetta unable to walk, talk ordo anything for herself. Doctors toldClotee and her husband, David, that,at best, Rynetta would be in a nursinghome for the rest of her life. At worst,she wouldn’t make it through the night.But Rynetta did survive the night.And she never entered a nursing home.For that, Clotee and David creditShepherd Center – not only for whatthe staff did for Rynetta while shewas there for two months, but also forwhat they provided after Rynetta left.After being discharged fromShepherd in May 2008, Rynettamoved back to her parents’ home inPace, Miss. They had to make sureRynetta had the proper wheelchair,supplies and medication. The housealso had to be equipped with a specialbed and a wheelchair ramp.“We’re like a big safety net. We catch things that fall through the cracks6 www.shepherd.orgshepherd center annual report 2009
In rural Mississippi, such items arenot readily available. But thanks to theMarcus Community Bridge Programat Shepherd, the Washingtons hadeverything they needed when theyarrived home.“Leaving Shepherd would have beenfrightening had it not been for theBridge program,” Clotee says. “Otherhospitals would have said, ‘You’re onyour own.’ With Shepherd, they seteverything up. They fixed everythingfor us.”Launched in January 2000 witha gift from philanthropists Billiand Bernie Marcus, the MarcusCommunity Bridge Program is a comprehensiveprogram to help Shepherdpatients make the transition back tohome, school, work and community.The program, which serves about400 Shepherd patients a year, educatesclients after their discharge andprovides guidance and referral information.It also helps families find ahealthcare team and identify resourcesto support their needs. The Bridgeteam consists of case managers,therapeutic recreation therapists andadditional support professionals.bridge to recoveryBridge case manager Ginger Martin and Acquired Brain Injury Program MedicalDirector Darryl Kaelin, M.D., contact patients via videophone.Rynetta Washington of Pace, Miss.,and her father David Washington“The Bridge Program is anenhanced case management program,”explains Chief Nurse ExecutiveTammy King, who directs the program.“We’re like a big safety net.We catch things that fall through thecracks and help clients work towardcompleting their goals.”For Rynetta, the goal was tocontinue her rehabilitation after sheleft Shepherd.“Some days I wanted to cry,” Cloteerecalls. “It was so overwhelming. Butthe Bridge people showed so muchcompetence, caring and love.”A hallmark of the Bridge Program istelehealth, in which videophones areconnected to a client’s home, allowingdoctors, nurses and caseworkersto observe them after they’ve leftand help clients work toward completing their goals.”— Tammy KingShepherd. When Rynetta waved to thecamera one day, the Shepherd staffknew she was improving.The services provided throughthe Bridge Program range fromthe expected to the extraordinary.Whether it’s paying for a suit so a personcan go on a job interview, navigatinggovernment agencies to secure thebest benefits or procuring extra supplies,Tammy and her team get thingsdone for Shepherd graduates.“By the time something comes intoyour mind, they’ve already thoughtof it, and they tell you how to fix it,”Clotee says.In addition to getting Rynetta set upat home, Bridge caseworkers showedthe Washingtons how to apply forMedicaid assistance and helped themget a caregiver through the MississippiVocational Rehabilitation Department.“I didn’t know that such a resourceexisted,” Clotee says. “Shepherd gaveus the numbers to call, and now someonecomes in every day for eight hoursa day.” Since Rynetta requires 24-hourcare, the service, paid for by the stateof Mississippi, allowed Clotee to keepher job.In the time since she left Shepherd,Rynetta has made great progress. InJanuary 2009, she ate solid food for thefirst time. In April, she began talkingagain. By late spring, she could walkwith support.And Clotee and Davidbelieve that one dayRynetta will return to work.“I am so grateful for theBridge program,” Cloteesays. “It’s a program thatmeets every need or concernyou have with yourpatient. If they can’t helpyou, they’ll find someonewho can. It is the greatestresource on this earth.”n e w www.shepherdTV.org7
Page 3 and 4: Dear Donors,Fiscal year ’08-’09
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Page 13 and 14: Steve HollemanTammy KingEnglish, sa
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