An Interview with an SCI Patient – A. Ramirez

How would you describe the RWW atmosphere?
Good, really good.

What made you choose RWW for therapy services?
In the beginning, Dr. Linke was my Neuro doctor and he informed me that he was the Medical Director, and he would be able to follow me a little bit closer. Deneen my wife, did a lot of research about this place and saw a lot of great reviews. Those reviews included: the type of patients that we work with and our specialty in Neuro Rehabilitation

If you were to refer an individual to RWW, what key words would you use?
Work. You are going to work hard, but also don’t give up. There’s going to be better days than some days, so always be open with your therapist. Let them know how you are feeling so they can adjust.

What did you learn after starting services at RWW that you did not know before hand?
That there are still people out there that want to help. In the beginning it didn’t seem to be that, so I kind of lost faith in people in general that were trying to help me with my new current situation. RWW is willing to go that extra mile to assist you with the things, to advocate for you, and to work with you on things that you may need more help with. The team is very involved.

What do you specifically like about the program or the approach itself?
My first initial part was difficult but overtime it had gotten better. Working with the therapist as I said before. Being open with the team and how they really want to help, which is good. There are a lot of individuals who just go to work then go home. Me, I’m a very out-goosey person, I like people, and I like talking to people. People here don’t have their heads down; they don’t seem uninterested they’re paying attention to you. There’s eye contact and smiling. So, I believe that this place has the best smiling staff that there is. Of course, every day is not good for everybody, but they never let you know that and continue to uplift you. I’ve even had a few of those, but tomorrow is another day. That I didn’t really expect, so it was nice to see that and get that here.

Can you name examples of improvement or benefits you have seen during your therapy process?
When I first started, my accident was a year and a half ago, my year anniversary of my surgery date was 09/13/24. Its not a lot, but it’s a lot to me because before I was a max assist of 2, mod assist of 3. Now I have gotten to the point where I am a stand-by assist with transfer, some balance issues, depends on if I am tired or not from lugging my body around. Just seeing those gains within a year, seems like such a long time, and I know I have a long journey ahead of me. It’s nice to see, from me being hoisted out of bed with a lift, going to a stand-by assist with Molly, and to doing bench press with Michelle on the mat. Those things I couldn’t do before, so its nice to see those things. Yes, I want more, but yet the therapists don’t make you feel inadequate and never deter you from reaching your goals. Everyday is better!

On the very last day being in the program, A. Ramirez and his wife, Deneen, gifted the Arizona clinic these beautiful custom made ornaments to share their appreciation!