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Driver Evaluation Program provides new lease on life
From Spotlight on Health - Summer 2009
Jean Berger lay motionless in a hospital bed for five months after being diagnosed with cytomegalovirus in spring 2006. The virus attacked Berger’s body, weakened after a kidney transplant.
For several months, doctors told the 62-year-old St. Cloud woman there was nothing they could do. Berger, who could not move her hands or legs, did not want to be dependent on other people for the rest of her life. She decided to try the St. Cloud Hospital Adult Rehabilitation Center at CentraCare Health Plaza, which friends had recommended. Her therapy got under way in January 2007.
A therapist guides a patient during session in the Driver Evaluation Program |
After using Botox to relax Berger’s hand muscles, Occupational Therapist Ruth Wolf-Eggebrecht felt she could do more.
“Jean was our miracle patient. She believed in herself as we believed in her,”Wolf-Eggebrecht said.
Berger slowly relearned how to stand, walk and use her hands. A year later, Berger graduated from the St. Cloud Hospital Driver Evaluation Program, which is part of the Adult Rehabilitation Center. Berger is driving independently again. |
“This program gave me a new lease on life,” Berger said.
Denny Timm, 64, of Clear Lake, suffered a severe stroke from a blocked blood vessel in his brain in April 2008. Timm fell to the floor and was unable to stand up or speak.
A month later, Timm began his outpatient therapy at the Adult Rehabilitation Center.
“They helped me to understand my situation and health problems and what I needed to do to fix them,” Timm said.
When first starting the program, Timm had to relearn how to use the left side of his body. After one year in the rehab program, Timm graduated from the St. Cloud Hospital Driver Evaluation Program, which gave him the freedom to drive on his own again.
“They didn’t give up on me,” Timm said. “I was very impressed with them.” |
Denny Timm |
Learn more about the Driver Evaluation Program.
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