The second floor of the Leisure World Medical Center is occupied by 15 exceptional people who are best characterized as being professional, well trained, dedicated, compassionate, and positive thinking. They function as a team who offer each person placed in their care, both trust and hope. Together, they work miracles.

During 2009, a resident of Leisure World, a man, was wheeled into the Physical Therapy Center (the Center) by his wife. This man had been hospitalized for four and a half months. He had undergone major surgery; saw 6 different physical therapists in two hospitals, and at home; was visited by several occupational and speech therapists, and was severely depressed. He was unable to swallow liquid or food, unable to turn over in bed and had no desire to speak to anyone. In medical terms, he could take "Nothing by Mouth", he had muscle atrophy in his neck, legs, arms and shoulders; and suffered severe depression. He had home health care for several months before his wife convinced him to go to the Therapy Center because of her positive experience when she used their services. Because of his state of mind, and since he never met anyone from the Center; this man's wife spoke for him. Because of past experiences, he had minimal hope that he could be helped.

After three weeks, the man was using a walker and entertaining other clients, as well as, members of the Center's staff. As soon as he entered the facility, he caused laughter. He had regained his sense of humor, his ability to joke around with people, and a capacity to make fun of himself. During each of his sessions with the assigned therapist and aid, he had each of them wondering what had happened to him. Except for the very friendly, devoted and conscientious aid, the therapists who worked with the man were all women. They had fun during most of his treatment sessions and he looked forward to their company.

None of what had happened to him in those three weeks was of his doing. The changes were brought about by the entire Center's staff. During the next three weeks, the man was repeatedly told that he was going to start using a cane. At each of his three visits a week, he asked when he would be given a cane. The response was you will have to wait at least another week. During the second week the response to his persistent question, when do I get my cane, was you need to wait another two weeks. During the third week, the response was, wait another three weeks. Although a bit of humor was involved in theses responses, it did take a total of four weeks to get a cane due to significant balance challenges the man had yet to overcome. At long last, the cane was provided. The man's first comment was that he was going to be oil the cane in three weeks. The therapist was not convinced and cautioned the man to be patient. Unbeknownst to the therapist, the man started to walk without the cane at home during the second week of use. During the third week he started to walk around his building holding the cane over his head or across his arms. When the man told the therapist who had worked with him every session, except when she was attending advanced training classes, her response was that he was to always have the cane with him for safety purpose. Because she was so insistent and persistent in reminding the man to have the cane with him at all times, he decided to name his cane "Barbara", that was his therapist's first name. He did as she said. He put the cane in a place of honor when he returned from therapy. He put it next to his favorite TV and left it there until he went out. When the man went out, he placed the cane in the back seat of his car. He always brought the cane to his therapy sessions, but carried it around rather than using it - his therapist was not happy and insisted her aid hold the man whenever he was standing. The aid did this by placing his hand in the center of the man's back and gripping his belt. This action provoked considerable humor from the man especially when the female therapists performed the maneuver .. After satisfying his therapist, the man was allowed to walk without the cane. This process took about four weeks in total and several trips up and down stairs in the building and several up and down walks on 45 degree hills near the building.

The remarkable outcomes of the exercises and encouragement provided to the man by Center included not only the ability to walk without any aid, to move muscles that had not been functioning for many months, to increase his overall strength; but a vast improvement in his quality life. He also experienced a positive life changing experience. He gained a new outlook on life. His depression was gone and replaced by a positive, relaxed and fun oriented view of life. A friend asked the man, how do account for the remarkable results from the therapy at the Center? His response was that the answer was easy to give. The team work, dedication, determination, attitude, unselfishness, prayers; and especially the love given this man by the entire staff were the reasons. May God bless each one of the staff.

During one of his last sessions of the year, a visitor asked, who do you owe for your recovery from surgery? His response was, he primarily owed it to his wife, his son, his daughters, his grandchildren, his brother and family, his friends; and last, but by no means the least, to his "Women of Wellness" (WOW) at the Center.

You may ask how you can be assured that what you have just read is true. The answer is simple, I am that man.

Should the opportunity arise, visit the Center on the 2nd floor at 3305 N. Leisure World Blvd., and ask for Theresa.