Maintaining A Positive Attitude for Recovery

Joyce C.’s story began in the middle of March 2024 when she received an RSV vaccination. Two weeks later, she began experiencing a lot of pain all over–every joint and every muscle. Nothing seemed to alleviate the pain. She also began falling, thinking she had a knee giving out.

In March 2024, Joyce fell while jump roping with her grandchildren and broke her left wrist. Shortly after this, she had lost control of her legs leading to a fall leaving her unable to get back up on her own. After two trips to the emergency room in one week, a neurologist confirmed she had Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The following months after initial diagnosis, Joyce had multiple long hospital stays and then in-home therapy for seven weeks. This is where her journey with Rehab Without Walls begins, which she states, “RWW was a great blessing. My occupational therapist Kayla Smith and my physical therapist Kathryn Bagusch are the BEST!”

For the next six months, Joyce had occupational and physical therapy three times a week. In November 2024, she had begun walking with a walker and said she felt stronger than she had in months. But unfortunately, just a couple months later she fell at home and broke her pelvis.

After two months of recovery, Joyce again returned to Rehab Without Walls. She said, “I was lucky enough to be assigned to Kayla and Kathryn again. These two worked me hard but were always so kind and encouraging. They helped me maintain a positive attitude and they had begun to feel like dear friends. I loved hearing about their families and interests, and we laughed together and chatted as they helped me work through the exercises. They gave me a sense of hope that I would be completely better soon.”

By June 2025, Joyce’s upper body strength improved to the point that she could do planks and practice routine household chores during therapy sessions. By the end of July, Joyce was to “graduate” from occupational therapy, only to have a fall where she broke her right wrist.

Joyce continues physical therapy once a week, and although she still uses a cane much of the time, she is walking without assistance at home. Although she continues to have numbness and tingling in her hands and feet, Joyce has dexterity back in her hands.

Joyce goes on to say this about her experience with RWW, “I will never be able to thank Kayla and Kathryn for all they have done for me. They have given me back my life. They are the BEST there is! They were trained in neuro therapy which is exactly what I needed. Their concern for me was so genuine and made me want to do the exercises and work. They never caused me any unbearable pain. Thank you to them for everything!”

Clinical Outcomes

• Improved upper body strength
• Regained full dexterity in hands
• Walking independently in-home without assistance