Success Stories

He progressed to the Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) at the facility and then was able to return home with his family. “Just recently Michael dropped in to visit us and present his team of caregivers with a plaque to show his appreciation for their help with his recovery,” shared Jennifer, the director of quality and risk management at the facility. “It was wonderful to have several staff members join in the celebration of Michael’s success and to congratulate him on his recovery!”

He was unable to make much progress at first due to elevated anxiety levels and additional complications, but his respiratory team slowly guided his recovery and, as his lungs became stronger, his anxiety decreased and he started participating in early mobility therapy sessions in his bed.

With help from his entire team of caregivers, Santo continued to improve day by day. His speech pathologist enabled him to communicate with a speaking valve at first, and when he was finally able to be taken off the ventilator completely, helped him regain his voice and ability to swallow so he could begin to drink and eat a normal diet once again. Severely weakened after his prolonged hospitalization, Santo slowly began to regain his strength, progressing until he was able to once again stand up and walk with the aid of a walker and take care of his daily needs.

As a result of the high level of interdisciplinary care he received, Santo was able to be discharged to his home where he lives with his wife to continue his recovery. "I really thought that if I ever was admitted to the hospital again there was a good chance that I would not survive,” Santo reflected just before leaving Kindred. “You guys did an awesome job and I can't thank you enough."

He was admitted to a local acute facility and immediately required intubation to receive life-saving ventilator support. His family was told there was a significant chance that Mark might not survive, but they never gave up hope. He was able to receive convalescent plasma infusions donated by friends who were with him on the ski trip who had already recovered from the virus, and Mark’s response to the plasma was reported to be remarkable and had a positive effect along with additional interventions.

When Mark was medically stable he was transferred to Kindred for respiratory therapy and rehabilitation to begin addressing his severe muscle weakness and dysfunction. In combination with respiratory treatments he also started progressive and early mobilization programs using an interdisciplinary team approach. At the beginning of his stay, Mark required complete assistance for all his needs and mobility as the severity of his muscle disease rendered him virtually quadriplegic, but with frequent range of motion movements, mobility exercises and transfers to sitting in a chair at his bedside he began to recover more control and strength. Mark’s speech pathologist provided a speaking valve within two days of his admission and right away he was able to speak a few words using a very hoarse and soft voice. Each day while at Kindred, Mark reached a new milestone – whether it was a simple ankle-pumping movement, participating in a Zoom call with family as his voice projection improved, using an oral suction device with independent arm movements, or swallowing his first bite of applesauce. Mark was an inspiration to all who cared for him. He maintained a calm but inquisitive spirit and was always anxious to know what the next step was and how long it would take to get there. He also had the benefit of family and friends who always supported him, although without visitation allowed during the pandemic he received cheers and other motivations through daily card deliveries – one day receiving 42 cards from all over the country in his support.

Recovery from COVID-19 is a painstaking journey -- the fatigue Mark felt even after simple activities would leave him drained and depleted. Scheduling therapy and other activities required interdisciplinary planning knowing that Mark would likely need to rest after an aggressive rehab session or a prolonged call with family. But Mark never wavered in his focus and determination and he was successfully liberated from ventilator support four days after arriving at Kindred, and was able to have the breathing tube removed not long afterwards. The progress he made in less than three weeks was phenomenal and he was able to discharge to continue his rehab before going home. Now able to roll in bed and sit up with assistance, Mark was also able to start drinking liquids and enjoying small portions of soft food as well as performing simple self-care tasks with help from his caregivers.

Mark's discharge was emotional for all who cared for him. He was always ready with a smile despite the challenges he faced and there was no doubt among anyone who came to know him that his boundless motivation will propel him to success and his goal to return home to Lindy, his girlfriend, and his cat, Mutt.

At the beginning of her stay at Kindred, her outcome wasn't certain and she is the first to admit she nearly gave up hope. But during the course of treatment, she began to regain strength and even though she had been bed-bound for four weeks, she started basic rehab in her bed.

She was soon able to breathe on her own and started communicating through a voice valve. It wasn't long before she was able to have her tracheostomy removed and began to eat again. She started rehab therapy and soon was taking her first steps in many months using the parallel bars. At the time of her discharge from Kindred to a skilled nursing facility to continue her recovery, Sally was able to get around with a rolling walker. All of us at Kindred are amazed and inspired by Sally's determination to get better and her "never say never" attitude!