From Wheelchair to Walking Without Assistive Devices Through Intensive Rehabilitation

I was very weak. And through exercises - like, I would do the bike in therapy and I'd work with weights and squatting and going up and down stairs. I mean, when I could build up to that. I obviously took a while. where I could stand on my own and eventually take a few steps and go up and down the stairs and strengthening my legs - actually the whole body needed to be strengthened. I was very weak when I got here. Even pushing myself up, like, was... you know, I had to work with my arm strength, too. And now I can walk without assistive devices and going up and down stairs. They really helped me strengthen my whole body. I'm from Aurora, Illinois. I've been here all my life and it's currently one of the reasons I picked this place. I was in the hospital. I couldn't walk. I was in a wheelchair, I couldn't even stand on my own. And my protein levels were dangerously low and that's what brought me in here. I needed some kind of rehab. I chose the Grove because my dad was here. My brother and my niece had gone and checked out places for my dad and this place was "friendly to veterans," is what they said. My dad was a veteran. So then I came here because my dad was here. The nursing staff and also activities, as a whole, I find them to be really outstanding In the beginning, the CNAs were the ones that were there helping me get up when I couldn't hardly stand and they would help me. They were always very encouraging - take the next step. Push yourself a little bit harder than you did the day before and that's what happened with me. I pushed myself a little bit harder and a little bit harder and then eventually got to where I am today. And they've all been so supportive. Like, when I've done so well they're always like - every time they see me in the hall they're like, "looks so much better than you did." Just nice to hear. A lot of really nice people I've met here. I highly recommend the Grove for people who need rehabilitation. They've been able to help both my dad and I and I know they can help you too at the Grove. The people at the Grove are wonderful and they make you feel like family