Captain Pat, the “Mayor” of RWW – Working hard with heart, humor, and a whole lot of spirit.

Pat M. arrived at RWW Downers Grove, IL, in March 2025 after a life-changing fall just a few months earlier. Pat had the most positive attitude and was ready to start therapy! He immediately coined the nickname “Captain Pat’” because he greeted everyone who walked through our doors with a smile. He became the new Mayor of RWW – always happy to be there and enthusiastic to engage in whatever therapies required that day. Physical Therapy? Yes! Occupational Therapy? Yes! Speech Therapy? Absolutely!

Shortly after starting therapy with us, Pat started making amazing gains. His occupational therapy team was so impressed he was able to become self-sufficient and return to ADL’s and his previous function at such a high level. Pat’s physical therapy team expressed great pride in his ability to transfer with supervision. He walked out of RWW with a HurryCane and was able to ambulate over 1,700 feet! Our staff and his family were so encouraging that he soon discharged to an assisted living facility where he attends day rehab three days per week.

When we asked Pat about his experience with us, he stated, “The staff helped to change my light and turned it back on by providing a sense of family.” He reports the staff were great teachers and gave him the confidence and peace of mind he needed to be comfortable at our post-acute inpatient facility. He goes on to say all our staff are a wonderful crew working as one big unit because everyone worked together to benefit him as an individual. He remembers speech therapy as the biggest challenge; however, he felt blessed and protected by his speech therapist and our staff. The challenges led to amazing success for Pat.

Pat is working hard each day to return to his highest level of independence. His main goal is to return to living with as much autonomy as possible with the support of his family and friends, especially his sister and brother-in-law.

RWW therapy staff takes great pride in all his accomplishments, and we are confident that he will continue to make great strides in all aspects of life. Pat, you are truly an inspiration!

Clinical Outcomes

• Able to negotiate 12 stairs with contact guard assistance.
• Arrived in tilt-in-space wheelchair and advanced to walking with a HurryCane in PT at RWW!
• Able to perform most ADL’s with supervision.