“My goals were set and I knew there would be a reward at the end.”

“From being on my dying bed to where I am at now, first I believe that God will put people into your life; total strangers to help you, and even though it is their job to help me, I feel like they were able to help me like no other. Throughout all my bad days and good days, I saw progress each day. I walked on trails, walked on sidewalks by my house; every week the walks got longer, and the goals were set, and I knew I had to beat every goal because I knew there would be a reward at the end. The reward was being able to walk, running (and running while turning in circles), running up ramps, and I feel great about that. I remember how I felt the first day I felt leaving hospital after coming out of a coma and going to rehab, and I did not see this at all in my future this was my big goal, and I was able to accomplish it.

My speech therapist showed me that speech therapy isn’t all about muscles, it is about being able to talk. At first, I couldn’t talk how I wanted, and she helped me pronounce my words better, so I really took her exercises to heart. Now I can hold a conversation with confidence. I would initially talk on the phone and be frustrated that people couldn’t understand me, and now I am not stressed about making phone calls or answering the phone.

Both of my therapists, Ashley and Julia were a big help. They had lots of patience, and they are very professional in what they do. Most importantly, they understood me, listened to me, and they never gave up on me. They helped me build strength, and helped me heal emotionally, not just physically. They showed me that I could be the best version of myself, and they always told me how proud of me they were, and this was a huge motivation in my recovery.

Having a brain injury, I had never been in this situation before, and you don’t realize that your pride and self-esteem is gone, and they helped me regain both. Recovery has a lot to do with the people helping you and you must know they are trained professionals. It was scary coming out of a coma and barely being able to walk, now I can walk 3 miles and can run. There was a time I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but every session we got something accomplished. To work towards the bigger goals.

I was also motivated to return to the hospital I came from and to show them the progress I made during my sessions at Rehab without Walls. I wanted them to know that I was going to continue to make progress even after I left the hospital.

Part of my healing journey is wanting to heal for other people who might go through what I am going through, and I feel it is my duty to let others who may go through the same thing, that I was there, and I didn’t give up and now I am on the other side of it. I know that other people can do it too if I can do it.” – Antjuan, RWW Patient