Below is a summary of my Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital “story.” I invite you to read it, and if you so feel compelled, either:

• Attend the December 6 Miracle Night for Madonna gala – https://www.madonna.org/foundation/miracle-night-for-madonna

• Donate via this page in support of Madonna because I know I would not be where I am today if not for them providing world-class rehabilitation therapy!

From the beginning of my Madonna journey, I would say my care team went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and confident in my abilities. Because of my injury, I had to relearn how to do daily self-care activities like walking independently, showering, changing clothes and using the restroom.

I quickly learned that rehabilitation after an amputation can be a slow and daunting journey, but because of my Madonna therapy experts coupled with the experts from the Hanger Clinic, I was able to overcome these challenges.

The first goal for my care team was to build up my muscle strength in my arms and core to maneuver so my wheelchair over longer distances. In addition to daily physical and occupational therapy, aquatic therapy in Madonna’s warm water therapy pool propelled my progress. As I mastered the basics of transferring to and from different surfaces and was independent at a wheelchair level, they added in extra challenges, like having me navigate a grocery store.

I also found ways to laugh and have fun throughout the therapy process along with my care team. I learned to use adaptive virtual reality equipment to play a giant pinball game, took cooking classes with occupational therapy, went on fishing trips, and even took a ride on Madonna’s Action TrackChair.

Four months after my amputation, I began working with my new prosthetic leg. I started by standing in the parallel bars to improve my balance, then advanced to using a walker, and later a cane. My care team once again collaborated with the Hanger Clinic, to ensure a perfect fit.

I also achieved my other independence goal of getting back behind the wheel as I was able to adapt my current vehicle to operate using hand controls. I can also break down my wheelchair and take it in and out of the trunk on my own. I soon passed the driver retraining course, and took myself to and from appointments.

Throughout his six months at Madonna, staff members and other patients became my family and I tried to greet everyone by their name and ask about their progress. My care team even dubbed me the “Mayor of Madonna!”

I am now on track to become a peer volunteer, where I can visit with patients at the hospital to show them what life looks like on the other side of an injury or amputation.

Again if you feel so compelled, please feel free to donate to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals as I would not be where I am today without them!