Cheryl’s journey began with a fall that fractured her left hip. As she worked to heal from that injury a more serious complication arose: a stroke. It left her not only physically weakened, but also struggling with balance, memory, and speech. Cheryl and her family knew that she needed more intensive inpatient care if she wanted to recover fully and restore her independence. They wanted her to be able to rebuild her life with safety and confidence.

When Cheryl arrived at Reunion Rehabilitation Hospital Denver, she was facing intense left hip pain, difficulty bearing weight, speech issues, and weakness. She had trouble finding her center, as is common after strokes, giving her profound balance challenges. When she arrived, she needed assistance from two people just to get out of bed, dress, or even stand.

Her care team immediately got to work, building her recovery plan based on her symptoms and the unique demands of stroke recovery. Cheryl began with simple, foundational exercises. To re engage the muscles on her left side, they began with weight shifts and assisted standing, progressing to controlled stepping drills. She graduated from walking to practicing the stairs, rebuilding her mobility, and restoring her confidence with every session.

Occupational therapy then became her bridge back to everyday life. Her therapists helped her retrain her brain to recognize her left side, so she could begin working on her activities of daily living, like washing dishes, lifting and moving items, and dressing. These tasks were broken down into achievable steps, allowing her team to start working on them before she regained her full strength.

Speech therapy focused on Cheryl’s voice and cognition. Through structured exercises, she worked to reclaim her vocal strength and clarity. Her therapist also guided her through cognitive tasks and memory games to regain her mental agility.

As Cheryl continued to improve, her care team began working on her discharge plan. The team met with her husband, David, so that he would understand what to do when Cheryl was able to return home. The care team walked him through the support she would need when she arrived, home modifications to reduce fall risk, and the exercises to do between her outpatient appointments with the therapy team.

By the time Cheryl was discharged, she no longer required assistance from two people to stand. She was walking, dressing herself, and reclaiming control over her daily routine. What made Cheryl’s recovery remarkable was her mindset. She approached each day with determination, positivity, and motivation. Between sessions, she practiced her exercises, worked on her memory, and celebrated small wins that meant big progress.

Her journey wasn’t easy, but she met every challenge with strength, focus, and resolve. Her recovery was the result of consistent hard work, a positive mindset, a rockstar rehabilitation team, and the unwavering support of her husband, David.

About Reunion Denver

Reunion Denver is a Center for Healthcare in Improvement Quality-Accredited Hospital, with special recognition as a Center of Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation. Our expert interdisciplinary care teams include doctors, stroke specialists, therapists, and nursing staff, who meet regularly to create and refine stroke recovery plans for each patient. Our intensive approach means that patients receive several hours of specialized therapy per day for faster recovery.

The Reunion Denver campus is state-of-the-art, with two therapy gyms, on-site food options, free Wi-Fi, 40 private patient suites, and indoor and outdoor common areas for patients to visit with loved ones. Equipped with features for patient safety and security, it provides the optimal environment for recovery.

Reunion is an inpatient hospital that has been validated for quality, is committed to results-oriented therapies, and provides a safe and comfortable place for patients to recover. Interested in inpatient rehabilitation? Reach out to our team to take the next step.