DREW’S STORY

Drew received services from the San Antonio, Texas Home & Community team. Below is his success story.

I’m a pretty active person cycling, running, walking, hiking, photoshoots here and there, you name it. Then there is work 50-60 hours per week, a military commitment along with my own business. Run and gun, let’s go!

After a successful day of work followed by a short 8-mile mountain bike ride around the neighborhood, things went sideways. When I finished the 8 miles, I could not get off the bike. The next thing I know, my leg was feeling funny and would not move. The best way I can describe it is that my right leg was there, visible, but no movement. After a few minutes, I was able to move it enough to scuttle inside and put things away. Still feeling weird, I decided to go to sleep early, waking up around 11:30 and could not raise my arm on the same side. My significant other says I was talking funny and said, “let’s go!” It was Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning (1201 a.m.), I was in the emergency room being told I had a stroke. “Wait, is that why my leg was not moving?”

Three weeks later, I was headed home from inpatient rehab awaiting the Rehab Without Walls team to visit me and assess things. They were on point, very professional, and knowledgeable, making me feel like they had me covered. See, the last three weeks had been one of the most challenging times of my life. I had to learn to walk, talk, try to write, hold things- as in grip them with my right hand, balance, and numerous other tasks we take for granted every second. Reading and writing this message is a good example of this.

We chose Rehab Without Walls because we did not want to do outpatient rehabilitation where we would have to go back and forth to the clinic or hospital every day or several times a week. After researching Rehab Without Walls, asking a million questions, and discussing with the potential case manager assigned to me, we felt they were the best option. The rep came to see me in the hospital and answered all my questions, explained how things would proceed, and then re-explained everything to my significant other at home.

Their one team approach, family member education & inclusion, personalized goal setting, home & community rehab options made this a much-needed life adjusting/changing experience for me. The speech, physical, and occupational rehab therapies covered every area of my daily activities. I was able to guide my rehab into the areas I needed in a real-world sense. The rehab therapy would change daily almost every visit to enable me to get back to normal activities. The therapists’ attention to detail, interest in making sure I was progressing at my rate, and genuine concern for my return to normal proved itself throughout the rehab.

Forever Grateful,

Drew Patterson