"Let's try driving," said Helen Jo Steven's friend
on a winter day not so long ago.
"We went down to the park. I got behind the wheel and
it was like riding a bike. I was so surprised and extremely grateful,"
explained Jo.
This winter Jo arrived at the CH-F Emergency Room after
suffering a stroke. She explains that she never felt bad, but she had lost
mobility in the right side of her body. After being evaluated in the ER, she was
admitted to the hospital's inpatient floor to begin her journey to recovery.
Jo was a patient at CH-F for 23 days. During that time she
was considered a skilled patient. This means that her care was heavily focused
on restoring her health and enabling her to get back to her very active
lifestyle. Each day Jo received physical therapy, which she calls invaluable to
her recovery. Jo especially appreciated the kindness of the nursing staff and
the whirlpool baths she was treated to several times a week!
Jo was grateful to
receive the care she needed close to home. As an avid bowler and former mayor
of Rock Port, Jo has many friends and relatives. Her hospital stay at CH-F
meant that she frequently had visitors. She explains that this made her days go
very quickly.
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Bowling is a passion of Jo's and with the purchase of a
lighter ball, she plans to hit the lanes as soon as possible. Part of reaching
this goal is the therapy she received which she shares "helped her
tremendously." She is determined to
reach her average score of 130 again.
Shannon Pruitt, PT, Director of Rehab Services at CH-F says
that Jo's effort made all the difference, "Throughout
Jo's rehab journey, she never lost hope or sight of her goals. She always had a
smile on her face and a good joke to keep us laughing. Her determination is a
tremendous display of her achievements and will be what continues to help her
improve in the future. She remains an inspiration to our entire team."
Ask your physician if skilled care and therapy services are an option for you. And remember that you can come to Community Hospital-Fairfax for skilled care, therapy or other services even if you had surgery elsewhere. For more information talk to your physician or call CH-F at (660)
686-2211.
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