Marianjoy Matters

Dueling Pianos Road Show to Benefit Marianjoy!

2009-03-25T16:22:00.004-05:00

BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORT ALL THE GREAT PROGRAMS AT MARIANJOY!

Starring local keyboard genius Mike Brumfield and Tony Kidonaskis.

Spend an evening of fun, laughter, and song with good friends and to benefit a great cause!

Have a drink and before you know it, you'll be writing requests on a napkin...have another drink and you'll think you can sing...don't just come to see the show...be a part of it!

Doors open at 7 p.m. Dueling pianos begin at 8 p.m. $50 per person included drinks, food, entertainment.

Space is limited.Arrowhead Golf Club on Butterfield Road in Wheaton.

Call 630-909-7333 to make your reservations.

Getting Back in the Game

2009-03-16T12:59:00.002-05:00

After attending soccer practice, 16 year old Devin Crockett accompanied his dad, Darrien, to a dentist appointment. While driving with Devin at the wheel, the Crockett’s car crossed the center line and struck a delivery truck, causing their car’s driver side and roof to be peeled back.

When Darrien awoke in the emergency room with minor injuries, he learned that his son’s condition was more serious. In addition to a concussion, the bone above Devin’s left elbow was shattered and his right hand was broken. His left knee cap was split with deep abrasions below his knee. He had also fractured the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae in the back of his neck.

Surgery was performed immediately on Devin. A main nerve in his arm had been severely traumatized resulting in the installation of 20 screws and two plates in his arm.

After one week in the acute care hospital, Devin was transferred to Marianjoy for intensive inpatient rehabilitation. He was in a neck brace, unable to walk, and his left arm and right hand were in casts.

Devin worked with his therapists to slowly regain movement in his fingers, eventually being able to pick up and grip objects with his right hand. Despite his leg being immobilized, his physical therapists worked with him to improve his strength.

After one week of acute inpatient rehabilitation, Devin was discharged to Marianjoy’s outpatient therapy and returned to school on a part-time basis.

“We were pleased that some of the same inpatient therapists that worked with him would be caring for him in outpatient as well,” remarks Darrien. “They already knew Devin and were familiar with his condition and progress which helped to make the transition a smooth one.”

After five months of outpatient therapy, Devin has regained full use of his right hand. His left arm and hand have improved significantly as he continues to receive occupational therapy in the hopes of a full recovery. His goal is to return to sports, and with his physical therapist, he’s working to strengthen his left leg. He has even begun to run and jump again.

“Because of my injuries, I was in a lot of pain while I was here,” Devin explains. “But I knew I’d get better. The therapists were encouraging and gave me the tools I needed to recover.”

“We’re blessed to have survived such a horrible accident,” remarks Darrien, “and I can definitely see a positive change in Devin as well. There is a spiritual awareness in him. That’s a wonderful blessing to have come forth from such an awful situation.”

Darrien continues. “The therapists at Marianjoy were reassuring, comforting, and patient. They worked at Devin’s pace, and their care for both him and my family was truly genuine.

“When I bring Devin to outpatient therapy I meet other parents whose children are going through their own recovery process. Though their stories may be different, as a parent, you completely relate to their feelings and emotions. We’re all looking for our children to heal. And Marianjoy is a good place to do just that.”

“We are so pleased by his progress. The doctors attribute it to his being young and athletic, but I believe a big portion of his recovery is the care he received at Marianjoy.”

Twins Make Great Strides

2009-03-13T12:56:00.001-05:00

Nicolle Frisone’s twin daughters, Domenica and Francesca, were born three months premature.

At approximately six months, Domenica was diagnosed with having torticollis, a condition in which the muscles of the neck are tightened, pulling the baby’s head toward her shoulder.

Francesca was experiencing weakness in her right side as well as high tone or muscle stiffness. She would not use her right arm or hand.

Both infants were enrolled in Marianjoy’s pediatric outpatient program. Domenica excelled quickly and was discharged from therapy in three months. Francesca required additional therapy.

“Francesca was unable to crawl and her right arm dangled at her side,” explains Nicolle. “The therapists worked to strengthen the muscles on her right side and gave me exercises to do with her at home.”

Though she could crawl “army-style,” her therapists continued to encourage Francesca to learn to crawl on all fours. Doing so would help to improve the use of both the muscles in her arms and legs, thereby forcing the use of her right hand. Francesca’s crawling abilities improved.

At 18 months, Francesca took her first steps, though she was still not using her right hand. Dr. Keen and the team decided to try Botox® treatments to encourage the tight muscles in Francesca’s leg and hand to relax.

The treatment worked and gave her better flexibility and movement.

Therapists also casted her left arm several times (a technique called inhibitive casting) in order to force her to use her non-dominant right arm and hand.

In addition to individual sessions, Nicolle opted to enroll both her daughters in a therapy play group offered through Marianjoy’s pediatric program.

The group not only helped emphasize the skills they had learned in therapy, but offered them the opportunity to socialize with other children. Nicolle continued to notice great progress in Francesca.

Today at the age of four, and though still experiencing a slight issue with her gait, Francesca runs and plays just like other kids. She’s even started preschool. Francesca still receives therapy at Marianjoy once a week and continues to progress.

“I have found so much more in Marianjoy and its staff than I ever expected to when I walked through the doors,” notes Nicolle. “They treat us like we’re family. Everyone is personable and so very patient. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being such a wonderful facility and for helping so many people.”

“I have found so much more in Marianjoy and its staff than I ever expected to find the first day I walked through the doors.”

Celebrating the Possibilities of Every Child

2009-03-11T12:44:00.003-05:00

Every parent shares the same hope for their child—that they will learn, play, grow, and live a carefree life. At Marianjoy, we couldn’t agree more. From infants to teenagers, Marianjoy’s pediatric program is designed with each child’s specific needs in mind.

The Marianjoy pediatric team consists of highly skilled pediatric therapists who have expertise and experience in a variety of specialty areas and levels of care—inpatient, outpatient and day rehabilitation. Many therapists are also Early Intervention certified.

The team is led by award-winning, board-certified pediatric physiatrist, Dr. Mary Keen, who oversees the treatment plans of our youngest patients.

What makes Marianjoy’s pediatric program different?

• World-renowned Voice and Swallowing Center
State-of-the-art equipment and pediatric therapists who specialize in performing videoflouroscopic and swallowing procedures

• Splinting and casting clinic
Focus on spasticity management and constraint-induced therapies

• Orthotic clinic

• Warm water therapeutic pool
Helps patients with strengthening, coordination, and motor skills

• Community Group Classes for Kids
Classes on a variety of topics are taught in a group setting. They are designed to improve and emphasize those skills learned in therapy, while promoting socialization.

How is Stress Affecting You? Listen to Your Heart

2009-02-14T15:33:00.005-06:00

Take just a moment and consider the stress you carry throughout your day. Are you worried about work, family matters, finances? Stress in our daily lives is inevitable, yet the way we handle it—or don’t handle it—can have a devastating affect on both our mental and physical health.

Stress can manifest itself in a variety of physical ways such as migraines, neck and back pain, high blood pressure, chest pains, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, and possibly even a heart attack. February is National Heart Health month, and we’re reminded to take care of one of the most important organs in our body—the heart. Constantly allowing stress to overwhelm us forces our body to react by producing elevated levels of stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol, which can lead to a heart attack. Therefore, it’s important to learn how to control your emotions and the amount of stress you assume, and most importantly — learn how to relax. Meditation is one way to do something good for your body — and spirit. '

“There are many forms of meditation,” explains Dr. Gouri Chaudhuri, Marianjoy Medical Group physician who encourages her patients to learn meditation and relaxation techniques to aid in their recovery. “It can be a structured meditation session, such as controlling one’s breathing while concentrating on a word or image to help block out thoughts and calm oneself. Meditation can also simply be done by sitting in front of an aquarium full of fish or staring out into a body of water, calming yourself down. There is no right or wrong way to meditate. The goal is to get the heart rate decreased, the mind to stop racing, and the body to relax.”

Dr. Gouri Chaudhuri is board certified in Physical Rehabilitation, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Acupuncture Medicine and Integrative Holistic Medicine. Her outpatient practice includes the Integrative Holistic Wellness Clinic. To schedule an appointment please call 630-909-7000.

Here are some basic tips to use in meditating and quieting the mind:

• In the beginning, commit to relaxing for a minimum of 15 minutes.
• Light a scented candle, dim the lights, or play calming music.
• Find a quiet space to sit that is comfortable, sitting up straight with your feet flat on the floor and your eyes closed to help block out any distractions.
• To begin, take deep, steady breaths. Breathe in through the nose, slowly counting to five; then exhale through the mouth, again counting to five. Do this 5 times as you slowly feel your body relax.
• Start with the toes, concentrating on how they feel. “Will” them to relax and go limp. Work your way up your body slowly in this same manner, focusing on each area for at least one minute. Move all the way up to the top of your head.
• Try to keep stray thoughts from entering your mind. If they do, gently push them aside. It may help to find a positive word like “peace” or “love” that you can silently repeat over and over to help block out any other thoughts. Continue to breathe deeply.
• Throughout the mediation, remember that you are committing to do something good for yourself for 15 minutes. The worries and restless thoughts can wait. This is your time. Enjoy the silence and relax.

Marianjoy Scholarship Program Application Deadline is April 10

2009-02-13T15:22:00.000-06:00

Chrisele Welsh (see her story posted on February 11) is one of the many disabled individuals who have received funding from the Marianjoy Scholarship Fund to use towards college expenses. Established in 1994, this scholarship program helps students with permanent physical disabilities to further their education, explore new possibilities, and pursue a career.

Last year, $50,000 in scholarships for post-high school education was awarded to 22 students from the greater Chicagoland area. These students are attending colleges and universities all across the country including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Illinois, Washington University in St. Louis and Purdue. These young men and women are pursuing careers such as nursing, teaching, psychology, engineering, and social work.
Together the Bruce A. Schurman Endowment Fund (named after the former president and CEO of Marianjoy) and the Marianjoy General Scholarship Fund raise money in hopes of sustaining this invaluable program well into the future to allow individuals with disabilities to continue to pursue their dreams.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 scholarships. For more information or to download an application, go to www.Marianjoy.org/scholarship, or contact Jim Decker at 630-909-7402.

Starting Life Over With a “Broken Brain”

2009-02-11T15:18:00.002-06:00

Standing outside her apartment, Chrisele Welsh noticed a dandelion that had just come up the day before was now blooming. Not a remarkable event…not even one the average person would notice at all. But Chrisele is not the average person anymore. A bright and spirited young woman, Chrisele graduated early from Lemont Township High School and enrolled in the University of Montana. On October 11, 2003, as Chrisele and her boyfriend were heading home from a hunting expedition, they were involved in a serious automobile accident. Their SUV flipped over front to back and then rolled three times.

My Broken Brain
Chrisele suffered multiple serious injuries including a frontal lobe brain injury with shearing across the entire brain except the stem. Her seatbelt probably saved her life, but in the accident it severed her left ear. Chrisele was in a coma on life support for three weeks. When she was ready for an inpatient rehabilitation program, she was flown via a medical jet from Montana to Illinois and taken directly to Marianjoy per her parents’ wishes.

Chrisele spent several weeks on the brain injury unit at Marianjoy, working to regain awareness, relearn the simplest tasks, and learn how to live with what she called her “broken brain.” She recalls her time at Marianjoy fondly, “I was so fortunate to have so many great doctors, nurses, and therapists during my recovery…especially those at Marianjoy. Without them, I am sure I would have had to give up my dream to become a nurse.”

Friends and Family
One of the most difficult things to come to terms with has been what Chrisele calls the social aspect of her injury. Noise and crowds of people that used to be fun are now something she avoids. Most of Chrisele’s old friends found it too difficult to stay by her side as her life changed so drastically.

But not her family. Chrisele’s accident happened just two short years after her father had suffered his own serious accident in which he was badly burned, on life support, and not expected to live. Yet her parents were at her side every moment through her ordeal, pushing her, encouraging her, supporting her no matter what. “There are no words to describe how grateful I am to my parents. They are truly my best friends,” Chrisele shared.

Were it not for the daily journal that her mother kept, and the scrapbook that she made with photographs and memories from her entire ordeal, Chrisele would not be able to share her story because for a long time she wasn’t aware of what had happened.

Back to School
In spite of the residual effects of her brain injury such as constant headaches, migraines, chronic fatigue, and vertigo, Chrisele was determined to beat the odds and go back to school. She learned how to be a successful student by focusing only on her classes, working at her own pace, and taking nothing for granted. “I’m not at school to make friends. I’m just there to learn!” said Chrisele.

And that’s exactly what she’s doing. Chrisele earned her associate’s degree from Joliet Junior College in December 2007, and is now enrolled at the University of Saint Francis School of Nursing. In 2008, Chrisele received her first Marianjoy Scholarship award.

Coming Full Circle
As a Certified Nurse’s Aid working for a staffing service prior to entering nursing school, it is ironic that Chrisele was often assigned to work at Marianjoy where she was reunited with many of the same nurses and therapists who cared for her. And when she receives her nursing degree, Chrisele says she knows exactly what kind of work she wants to do. “I want to work with people who have brain injuries, particularly young people. I can share my experience with them, and give them hope for their own futures,” she stated.

“I’m only 23 years old, but already I’ve learned more than most people do in a lifetime. I’ve learned to love life…to be grateful for the simplest things. Like that dandelion. I never would have noticed anything like that before. Now I appreciate everything.”

The Next Class in the Marianjoy Professional Education Series Has Been Announced

2009-01-16T14:40:00.003-06:00

Show Me the Evidence!
Clinical & Research Update for Swallowing & Voice

March 11, 2009
Marianjoy Conference Center

Course Description
This course will review the latest dysphagia research conducted at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Swallowing & Voice Center. The dysphagia research will include the following: comparing fluoroscopy to endoscopy for the evaluation of swallowing, cardiovascular considerations for the treatment of dysphagia, use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for dysphagia treatment with adults and pediatric patients, new approaches to oral care which may influence swallowing treatment, influence of the tracheotomy tubes and occlusion status upon swallowing, and the influence of accumulated oropharyngeal secretions upon swallowing. Live demonstrations of the digital video stroboscopic laryngeal voice evaluations and fiberoptic endoscopic examinations of the swallow will take place during this course.

Continuing Education Units
This course is offered for .7 ASHA CEUs Advanced level, Professional area.

Intended Audiences
Speech Language Pathologists

More information is available on this brochure.

Steve Neely: In His Own Words

2008-12-18T12:32:00.005-06:00

Elburn Firefighter Steve Neely: "My Life Isn't Over, It's Just Different"

2008-12-18T11:10:00.013-06:00

Steve Neely had never really thought of himself as an overachiever. In school he was an average student; as an adult, he was a hardworking regular guy. Steve worked for his father drilling water wells and part time for the Kaneville Fire Department. He lived near his parents and siblings in Elburn, Illinois.

Steve’s dream had been to become a paramedic in his hometown. On July 16, 2006, Steve attended a day of orientation for the paramedic training course he was about to start. Riding his Harley home that evening, Steve was caught off guard as something darted out in front on the road. An eyewitness would later say she thought it was a deer.

A good driver and experienced motorcyclist, Steve was able to avoid hitting the deer but the road he was driving on was recently repaved with a six-inch drop off at the edge. When his motorcycle came to the edge of the road, the wheel turned and Steve lost control.

Just Let Me Die

Steve’s parents, DeDe and Mark, were at home that night when friends from the fire department came to the Neely house to say Steve had been in a serious accident. Soon after the Neelys arrived at the hospital in Aurora, they found out Steve has been flown to a trauma center in Downers Grove. As they were driving to the hospital, DeDe anxiously remembered what Steve had told her on several occasions: “If I’m ever in an accident and paralyzed, you should just let me die.”

The news at the hospital was not good. Steve had broken three vertebrae in his back and two in his neck, a broken femur and several broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Because of the extent of his injuries and the trauma, Steve was unknowingly combative as he lay in the hospital bed. The doctors chose to keep him in a drug-induced coma to prevent him from hurting himself further. Steve underwent several surgeries. DeDe and Mark were told that Steve had been paralyzed from the chest down and that he would never walk again. He had a tracheotomy. He was not breathing on his own. DeDe’s worst fear was that when Steve did awake, and still needed the trach, that he would lose his will to live.

After several days, the doctors would try again to bring Steve out of the coma to further assess the extent of his injuries. Because he was so physically strong, Steve fought hard when he started to come to. His mother whispered in his ear that he needed to try to be calm and relax or the doctors wouldn’t allow him to be brought out of the coma. Slowly Steve began to awake, but remained uncommunicative for quite some time.

Eventually Steve would become more alert and aware of what he had been through. The hardest decision at that point for Steve’s family was determining when to tell him that he was paralyzed. His parents feared Steve’s reaction. When they began the conversation with him, they were surprised to learn that Steve already knew. But rather than being depressed or even suicidal as his mother had feared, Steve was resolute and determined. He almost immediately accepted what had happened and began thinking in terms of a life that was not going to end, just change.

Starting Rehab at Marianjoy

On the doctor’s urging, Steve’s family began to consider rehabilitation facilities, and chose Marianjoy. The day he was discharged from the acute care hospital, Steve was taken by ambulance to Wheaton. He remembers the ride well. Though there was anxiety and trepidation as to what was yet to come, Steve was glad to have some familiar faces transporting him that day. His buddies from the Big Rock Fire Department were his ambulance crew.

Shortly after arriving at Marianjoy, Steve was able to sit up on his own for long periods of time, his trach was removed, and he was eating on his own. Steve was ready for the challenges his therapists would provide him with. Steve sees himself as a very independent person, and all he wanted to do was go home and become self sufficient as quickly as possible.

Steve speaks softly when he recalls his original rehabilitation goal. He wanted to leave Marianjoy walking on his own. The first night, when two Marianjoy physicians came to see him, Steve asked that for what he called “the flat out truth…tell me what’s going on and will I ever walk again?” They confirmed that he would not, and for the first time since his accident, Steve cried.

Initially Steve’s parents were afraid he may have been transferred to Marianjoy too soon, but on the second day of working with occupational therapy, he was already dressing himself without help or the aid of any assistive devices. Steve remembers his therapist’s surprise at this accomplishment. She said, “I have never seen anybody in your condition dress themselves on the second day!”

Something inside Steve would not let him give up on life. “I’m grateful that I’ve always been an active person and that the work I’ve done has always been physically challenging. I truly believe one of the main reasons I’ve come so far so fast in my rehabilitation is that I was in such great shape to begin with,” said Steve.

“People ask me how I can have such a positive attitude after all I’ve been through, and I tell them I don’t know any other way to be. Something bad happened to me, but that is life. So, my life is different now. That’s all it is…different.”

Outpatient Therapy and Driver Rehabilitation

After being discharged from Marianjoy, Steve came back to the Marianjoy Day Rehabilitation Program as an outpatient for three months. His therapists worked with him to develop a regular workout routine to keep his body as strong as possible. He remembers being taught something particularly valuable to an individual in a wheelchair. “One of the goals my outpatient therapists had for me was to be able to get from the ground back into my chair in case I would fall and no one was around. They told me to be patient, that it usually takes a few weeks to learn how to do that, but I learned in two days!”

Steve felt there was one key to being truly independent and that was the ability to return to driving. “I earned my commercial driver’s license when I was 18 and had driven a truck for a while. I just enjoy driving so much that I knew I would have to find a way to do it again.” Steve was introduced to Marianjoy’s Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, Pam Bartle and Anne Hegberg. “Pam got me behind the wheel and within no time I was driving again! When she found out that I hoped to get my truck equipped so I could drive with hand controls, Pam suggested I apply for financial assistance through a program at Marianjoy.”

The Clara Pfaender Fund is an endowment fund that encourages ministries sponsored by Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc. and the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters. Steve received a grant from the fund which has enabled him to equip his Ford F150 with the adaptive devices he needs. “We are very grateful for this financial assistance. Equipping his truck will give Steve real freedom again,” said DeDe.

Steve is grateful his family chose Marianjoy. “I can’t say enough about the therapy I received at Marianjoy,” said Steve. “The therapists were great and really kicked my butt! Honestly, I would tell anybody to come here. Not only are they good at what they do, but they are incredibly compassionate. They not only helped me physically, but emotionally. I could just talk to them about questions or concerns I had. And not just my therapists, but everybody who works there. It is clear the Marianjoy staff enjoys what they do.”

The Future

Now Steve’s looking to the future. “I want to work and be productive again. I’m thinking about becoming an emergency dispatcher. I’ve been on the receiving end of their calls as a member of the fire department, so it seems like a natural thing for me to do,” Steve said.

And his future may have something in store for him that, before the accident, he never would have considered. “Before the accident, I was sure I didn’t want to have children,” said Steve. “Now, seeing what my parents went through on my behalf, and seeing the love that they have for me…well, there is no other love like the love of a parent, right? I want to be able to give that to my child someday. I’ve learned so much about compassion and how important family is. If this is all the good that comes from my accident, it will all have been worthwhile.”

Santa Visits Marianjoy

2008-12-15T10:29:00.005-06:00

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their friends from Toys for Tots visited the pediatric patients at Marianjoy on Saturday, December 13. Nearly 75 children including Marianjoy inpatients, outpatients, and their siblings, enjoyed music, crafts and snacks as they waited for Santa to arrive.

The entire team of Marianjoy pediatric therapists--including physical, occupation, and speech therapists--joined in the festivities and helped make the visit a joyful time for all.

This is the third year that Toys for Tots has generously offered to visit Marianjoy's little heroes.

(visit the online gallery of Toys for Tots photos)

Marianjoy Education Series

2008-12-08T16:06:00.007-06:00

Let's All Breathe Easy:

A Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach for the Pediatric Client

January 15, 2009 at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital

Course Description
Respiratory development and the structure that supports respiratory function are often compromised in children with physical disabilities, negatively impacting trunk stability, endurance and voicing. This course presents a multidisciplinary approach to improving respiratory function and endurance for children with disabilities. The course includes a review of respiratory development and discussion of some of the more common pediatric diagnoses that impact development and function of the respiratory system. Disciplinary focused assessment and intervention strategies for the pediatric client will be presented, followed by a case study. The case study, presented by a multidisciplinary panel, will clearly illustrate how pediatric treatment team members work together to create an integrated program designed to help the child with disability to “ breathe easy” and improve overall ability.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
• Identify key features of normal respiratory development in children
• Identify normal vs. abnormal respiratory function in pediatric clients
• Discuss medications and their effects on respiration
• Discuss a team approach to assessing and treating respiratory function of the pediatric client.

Intended Audiences
OT’s, OTA’s, SLP’s, PT’s, PTA’s , Nurses serving the pediatric client

Continuing Education Units
PT: This course is offered for 6.5 continuing education contact hours. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation has certified that Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital has complied with the provisions of the Illinois statutes and/or rules and regulations and is hereby authorized to sponsor the above named course as a Continuing Education offering.

SLP: Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speechlanguage pathology and audiology. This program is offered for .7 CEUs (intermediate level; professional area). ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

Approved by the ILOTA Continuing Education Approval Committee

Course Faculty
Mary Keen, M.D., Medical Director, Marianjoy Pediatric Program. Dr. Keen is board certified in four specialty areas: physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, physical medicine and rehabilitation–pediatrics, and pediatrics–neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is a clinical associate professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and an attending physician in the Departments of Pediatrics and Orthopedic Surgery Section of Rehabilitation Medicine. She is also an assistant attending physician at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

Ginny Girten, PT, PCS, Supervisor, Pediatric Program. Ginny has over 20 years experience working in pediatrics and aquatics in a variety of settings including the rehabilitation setting, outpatient clinic, home based and school based therapy. Ginny is NDT certified and has her clinical specialist certification in pediatrics. Ginny has presented at conferences and seminars to various audiences including those at the university level, on both pediatrics and aquatics.

Rima Birutis, M.A. CCC-SLP, has 15 years experience and is Early Intervention certified. Treats pediatric clients at the inpatient and outpatient levels of care. She has presented to national audiences on the topics of pediatric feeding and dysphagia.

Amy Grant, M.A. CCC-SLP is Early Intervention Certified. She works with children in the outpatient setting.

Lindsey Jorns, PT is Early Intervention Certified and works with children at the outpatient level of care.

Gretchen Keane, OTR/L has over 15 years experience working with pediatric clients. She has a special interest and training in sensory integration techniques.

Erin Luy, M.S. OTR/L works with pediatric patients in the acute inpatient and outpatient levels of care. She has completed her clinical ladder in Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and is Early Intervention Certified.

Brian Morrow, DPT has special interest and training in cardio-pulmonary techniques. He works with outpatient pediatric clients.

Cancellation/Refund Policy
A tuition refund less $30.00 administrative fee is available if your cancellation request is received in writing within 7 days before the program date. No refunds will be granted after that date. In the unlikely event that Marianjoy must cancel an educational event for any reason, you will receive a full refund of your paid event tuition. Marianjoy does not assume responsibility for any other expenses incurred by the registrant.

Dr. Noel Rao Receives Prestigious Distinguished Clinician Award

2008-12-04T15:34:00.015-06:00

The staff and patients at Marianjoy benefit every day from the experience and leadership of Dr. Noel Rao, Vice President of Medical Affairs, who has been a vital part of the life-changing work of Marianjoy for more than 20 years.

This year, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) recognized Dr. Rao by awarding him their Distinguished Clinician Award. This honor is given to individual physiatrists who have achieved distinction on the basis of their scholarly level of teaching and their outstanding performance in patient care activities, as well as their contributions to the Academy and to the advancement of the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).

“This award is a tribute to my Marianjoy colleagues and our resident physicians who challenge and inspire me; our CEO, Kathleen Yosko, who fully supports medical education and research; and the caring and nurturing environment of Marianjoy,” said Dr. Rao.

Dr. Rao adds this award to the list of publications and professional organizations that have recognized him for exceptional dedication and patient care. In 1997 and 2001, Dr. Rao was named a Top Doctor by Chicago Magazine and every year since 1996, he has been named to the list of "Best Doctors in America." In 2005 he was given the Distinguished Physician Award from the Indian American Medical Association of Illinois.

A leader in the field of PM&R, Dr. Rao directs clinical services and the residency program at Marianjoy. He is a board-certified physiatrist specializing in brain injury, neuromuscular disorders, electromyography testing, orthotics, urodynamics, and equilibrium testing. Currently, Dr. Rao is conducting research with a grant from the National Institute of Health.

Dr. Rao is a guest examiner at the Oral Board Examination of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a member of the editorial board for The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, and Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rush Medical College.

We congratulate Dr. Noel Rao for a distinguished career spent transforming lives by helping individuals with disabilities regain their mobility and return to active, productive lives.

Marianjoy Scholarship Program Applications Now Being Accepted

2008-12-01T14:14:00.000-06:00

The Marianjoy Scholarship Program has awarded nearly $450,000 to date. Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 scholarships.

Intense physical rehabilitation after an illness or accident requires a great deal of determination and stamina. Living with a disability takes perseverance. Pursuing a dream—no matter what obstacles are encountered—requires focus.

In keeping with our commitment to empower people with disabilities, Marianjoy established the scholarship fund in 1994 to help students with permanent physical disabilities to further their education, explore new possibilities, and pursue a career.

In 2008, $50,000 in scholarships for post-high school education was awarded to 22 students from the greater Chicagoland area. These students are attending colleges and universities all across the country including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Illinois, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Mary’s in South Bend, and Purdue. These young men and women are studying to be nurses, doctors, teachers, psychologists, engineers, social workers, speech pathologists, and prosthetists.

Several of the students who received scholarships this year have been patients at Marianjoy, three are Marianjoy volunteers, and one young woman hopes to come back to Marianjoy to work someday!

Together the Bruce A. Schurman Endowment Fund (named after the former president and CEO of Marianjoy) and the Marianjoy General Scholarship Fund raise money in hopes of sustaining this invaluable program well into the future to allow individuals with disabilities to continue to pursue their dreams.

For more information, call or email Jim Decker at 630-909-7402 or visit http://www.marianjoy.org/.

Angie Keister: A 29-Year-Old's Story of Stroke and Recover

2008-10-20T18:58:00.001-05:00

On a morning in March 2007, Angie Keister, a 29-year-old human resource representative for a Chicago healthcare organization, had a stroke which affected her arm, hand, and leg on her left side, her speech and some facial muscles.

A “Miracle”…Then a Second Stroke
In the hospital, Angie’s paralysis seemed to miraculously disappear. She was ecstatic, but on the third day as she prepared to be discharged, the paralysis suddenly returned.

Angie was airlifted to another local acute care hospital where she spent three days in the intensive care unit for observation. She was eventually moved to a neurological step-down unit. The paralysis and speech issues remained. Physicians contemplated the next steps in Angie’s recovery and their recommendation was Marianjoy.

“Of course my main goal when I arrived at Marianjoy was to get back to 100 percent,” Angie stated recently. “I knew I’d have to break that goal down to smaller ones. The things that were once so simple—standing or walking unassisted, and using my hands—became my goals.

“The atmosphere at Marianjoy is fantastic,” she explains. “Whenever they would introduce a new task that I needed to work on, I would insist that I not be taught a “workaround” to accomplish it. I wanted to do it the right way — the way I would have done it before my stroke. Though my left hand wouldn’t work like it had before, my occupational therapist understood my feelings and worked with me to help me get it done.

“The nurses were wonderful and took good care of me, allowing me to be as independent as I could at the time. And my therapists were amazing, knowing just how to push me to my full potential. They’d give me a challenge to work on, but in such a way that would not scare me into thinking it was something I couldn’t do.”

Smooth Transition to Outpatient
“I have to say I was actually very sad to leave Marianjoy as an inpatient,” Angie explains. “This was a safe place for me as I learned to cope in my new physical form, and I was surrounded by individuals who were there to help me. And though my husband would be at home for me, I was still a bit scared. But I took comfort in knowing I would be returning to Marianjoy for outpatient therapy.”

In April, Angie entered Marianjoy’s day rehabilitation program where she continued to work on physical and occupational therapy.

“Now I am doing great!” she exclaims. “Though my arm hasn’t completely recovered yet, thanks to Marianjoy, I’m back to work and living my life.”

What are the Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

2008-10-07T16:07:00.000-05:00

People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) may have problems with social, emotional, and communication skills. They might repeat certain behaviors and might not want change in their daily activities. Many people with ASDs also have different ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to things. ASDs begin during early childhood and last throughout a person’s life.

A child or adult with an ASD might:

not play "pretend" games (pretend to "feed" a doll)
not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over)
not look at objects when another person points at them
have trouble relating to others or not have an interest in other people at all
avoid eye contact and want to be alone
have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings
prefer not to be held or cuddled or might cuddle only when they want to
appear to be unaware when other people talk to them but respond to other sounds
be very interested in people, but not know how to talk, play, or relate to them
repeat or echo words or phrases said to them, or repeat words or phrases in place of normal language (echolalia)
have trouble expressing their needs using typical words or motions
repeat actions over and over again
have trouble adapting when a routine changes
have unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound
lose skills they once had (for instance, stop saying words they were once using)

Note: Contact your child’s doctor or healthcare provider if your child experiences a dramatic loss of skills at any age.

*Source: Centers for Disease Control

Someone at Marianjoy You Should Know

2008-10-07T14:41:00.001-05:00

Dr. Mary Keen is the Medical Director of the Marianjoy Pediatric Program. She was recently named a Top Doctor in the 2008 issue of Chicago Magazine, in addition to being named to the list of Best Doctors in America® for 2007-2008.

Dr. Keen is a clinical associate professor at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and an attending physician in the Departments of Pediatrics and Orthopedic Surgery Section of Rehabilitation Medicine.

She is a founding board member and medical director of Coach Care Center (formerly known as Respite House) in Naperville, Illinois. She is also an assistant attending physician at Rush Medical College in Chicago. Dr. Keen was named a Top Doctor by Chicago Magazine in 2001, 2006, and 2008, and has been named one of the Best Doctors in America® by Best Doctors, Inc., every year from 1998 to 2008.

Dr. Keen is board certified in four specialty areas: physical medicine and rehabilitation; pediatrics; physical medicine and rehabilitation--pediatrics; and pediatrics--neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Dr. Keen is dedicated to serving pediatric patients in the community. She consults regularly at
Loyola University Medical Center, in conjunction with the pediatric neuroscience program
Aspire Children’s Services in Westchester

For more information on the pediatric therapies offered at Marianjoy, please call (630) 909-8542.

Hope for Children with Autism

2008-10-06T14:29:00.002-05:00

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2007 nearly one in every 150 eight-year-olds was diagnosed with autism, with boys being four times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls.

What is Autism?
Autism is a complex developmental disability that causes substantial impairments in communication and social interactions. It is often accompanied by learning difficulties, unusual interactions with others, and uncharacteristic reactions to stimulus and the surrounding environment. The condition usually becomes apparent by the time a child reaches the age of four.

“Children with autism demonstrate deficits very early on,” explains Dr. Mary Keen, Medical Director of the Marianjoy Pediatric Program. “Therefore, parents should pay close attention to their child’s developmental milestones. By the age of one, a child should be making sounds and by 16 months, should be able to say a few words. Also by this age, the child should be exhibiting social skills. Though these are only guidelines, if a parent has any concerns, they should follow their instincts and address them with their healthcare provider.”

Early Intervention
With the increased number of children diagnosed with autism, the need for early intervention becomes increasingly important. The therapists at Marianjoy have expertise in working with autistic children as well as those with a variety of illnesses, diseases, and disorders—from the less serious to the most complex. Because each child is different, a thorough evaluation is completed to determine the most appropriate course of action for the child’s particular needs. For example, many children with autism may have additional physical and mental disabilities that accompany the diagnosis requiring a more complex treatment plan.

“At Marianjoy, we offer a variety of therapies, including speech, occupational and physical therapies which can help the child excel despite the autism diagnosis,” notes Dr. Keen. “For example, in speech therapy we assess the impact of the communication challenges the child is exhibiting and determine whether direct therapy or supplemental speech and language devices, like picture cards, may be an alternative to improving the child’s ability to communicate.

“Our occupational therapists may work on sensory stimulation issues with the child, which is common with autistic children, while working on their socialization and play skills. In addition, though most autistic children are mobile, they may be unable to participate in structured activities, like games or competition. Our physical therapists work with the children to teach them to move with purpose.”

Neetu Chhablani, M.D., Joins the Marianjoy Medical Group

2008-10-02T12:55:00.001-05:00

Dr. Neetu Chhablani joined the Marianjoy Medical group as a staff physiatrist after completing her residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Schwab Rehabilitation Hosital and an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her practice at Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Palos Heights, Illinois, will focus on stroke, musculoskeletal diseases, brain injury, and geriatric medicine.

Dr. Chhablani’s philosophy of care is to focus on treating her patients as a whole person—not only addressing their physical needs, but also recognizing the importance of their psychological, emotional, and social needs. Dr. Chhablani also emphasizes the important role the clinical team and patient’s family play in helping each patient work towards reintegrating into the community and regaining their independence.

Dr. Chhablani is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The Amazing Colors Within Coloring Book

2008-10-01T11:30:00.000-05:00

As part of Marianjoy’s mission to promote awareness, respect, and dignity for individuals living with a disability, our staff created a coloring book that addresses awareness, acceptance, respect, and dignity for all people regardless of their physical appearance or limitations.

This is an award-winning, original story of a young boy’s first encounter with a child in a wheelchair. The reader is taken on a journey with the boy as he questions what it means to have a disability and grows to an understanding that everyone is capable of doing amazing things.
Great for classrooms!

To obtain a sample copy of the coloring book you may call 630-909-7100 or email Marketing@Marianjoy.org.

New Subacute Center at Marianjoy

2008-09-15T10:34:00.001-05:00

Now Marianjoy is offering the same high quality rehabilitation services in a subacute setting – conveniently located within the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital facility in Wheaton.

The new Marianjoy RehabLinkTM Subacute Center is ideal for patients whose functional deficits do not require acute rehabilitation, but still have inpatient rehabilitation needs. It is also appropriate for those patients who have completed Marianjoy’s acute rehabilitation program but still need to work toward their functional goals to achieve independence at home.

Patients will be medically managed by a Marianjoy Medical Group board-certified physiatrist. This also offers our patients the ease of transition through Marianjoy’s different levels of care — subacute, inpatient, day rehabilitation, outpatient, and specialty clinics.

“The Subacute Center caters to patients with musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions,” explains Dr. Noel Rao, Marianjoy Vice President of Medical Affairs. “It’s for those patients who can be best served through a subacute program that can help facilitate their transition back home.”

Marianjoy Medical Group board-certified physiatrist Dr. Dolly Devara is excited to be leading the new Marianjoy Subacute Center. “The new Subacute RehabLinkTM Center provides a link to the acute rehabilitation for those who need the next level of rehabilitation services for their recovery,” said Devara. “And because it is located within the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, the patient has the advantage of benefitting from the clinical expertise of the Marianjoy staff.”

For more information about the Marianjoy RehabLinkTM Subacute Center call 630-909-8920.

Aurora Art Teacher Goes for the Gold

2008-09-02T14:24:00.002-05:00

Just after sunrise, a lone figure speeds around the track at East Aurora High School. The focus and determination of this athlete are evident in his eyes…and the fact that he hardly notices the photographer who has begun snapping shots of him in action.

This man is clearly not a student, but he seems to know the place well.

In fact, Tony Iniguez knows this track like an old friend. In the ‘80s he was a student at East Aurora, and since 1994 he has been on the staff teaching visual arts. And all that time, he’s been circling the track in search of gold.

Pursuing a Dream
At the age of two, Tony Iniguez contracted polio which left him a paraplegic. When he was nine years old, Tony and his family came to the states from Mexico City and settled in Aurora, Illinois, in hopes of obtaining a quality education for their children and to pursue the American dream. Little did they know that would one day include an athlete’s ultimate dream…competing on an international stage!

Sixteen years after competing for the first time in the 1992 games in Barcelona, Tony Iniguez is once again on the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team, this time headed to Beijing representing the United States. He will be competing on the track in the Men’s 800 meter, 1500 meter, and 5000 meter races, and in the road marathon.

Wheels Brought Independence
Until his junior year in high school, Tony used braces and crutches to ambulate. Then one of his coaches suggested he go to a sports camp for disabled youth at the University of Illinois. “There I got my first taste of wheelchair athletics and discovered it was much easier to get around using the chair. I see a lot of young people who are struggling to get around on crutches, and I know how that feels. You want to feel as ‘normal’ as possible. But the wheelchair has given me such more mobility and independence,” said Tony.

Tony played wheelchair basketball for the University of Illinois where he met several disabled athletes who were sponsored by Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. When he graduated with a degree in art education, he came full circle back to the high school he had attended. Again through friends involved in athletics in the area, he was reintroduced to Marianjoy…and ever since then, Marianjoy has been proud to be Tony’s sponsor.

The Ultimate Goal
While medaling in Beijing would be an honor and a thrill, Tony’s heart is with his family and teaching. Tony and his wife, Kristen, are both individuals who clearly have a calling to help children. This year Tony, who has taught art at East Aurora for 14 years, was awarded the Impacting the Community Through Education Award from the East Aurora Board of Education.

Kristen is a pediatrician at Carle Hospital in Urbana. They have two boys: Noah (11) and Zach (7), who appear to have inherited their dad’s interest in sports and art.

And what is Tony’s ultimate goal? “I want to continue to inspire our youth to reach and achieve beyond their perceived potential in the arts, academics, athletics, and most importantly life.”

Someone at Marianjoy You Should Know

2008-08-08T12:34:00.003-05:00

Cindy Rechenmacher, PT, MS, clt-LANA, is the Supervisor of Outpatient Therapy at Marianjoy in Wheaton, and a hands-on leader. With 13 years of clinical experience, Cindy works side-by-side with her team treating a variety of patients seen daily in the Marianjoy Outpatient Therapy Program.

Though Cindy treats a variety of diagnoses, her expertise is in the diagnosis of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a condition that results from either a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system or when damage is done to the lymphatic system as a result of cancer treatments, trauma or excessive scarring.

As the coordinator for the lymphedema program, Cindy works directly with patients to help educate them on their condition while teaching them the best techniques to manage the swelling of their limbs due to lymphedema. For six years, Cindy was a board member of the Lymphology Association of North America, and currently remains involved in such organizations as the National Lymphedema Network and the American Physical Therapy Association.

For more information on the Marianjoy Outpatient Therapy Program or the Lymphedema Program, please call 630-909-7152.

Rockin' for the Troops with Gary Sinise

2008-07-22T19:13:00.002-05:00

Marianjoy is proud to acknowledge and support the members of our armed forces. To that end, we signed up to be a sponsor of the Operation Support Our Troops Illinois “Rockin’ For The Troops” event on July 19, 2008, at Cantigny. Hundreds of attendees visited Marianjoy’s booth for a chance to spin the prize wheel or to try golfing one-handed for fun prizes!

Naperville Mayor George Pradel visited the Marianjoy booth just before the rain stopped!

Former Marianjoy patients / current Marianjoy golf program volunteers Forrest Ramsey and George Zola helped booth visitors test the one-armed golf challenge!

Paralympian Tony Iniguez, former patient and veteran Kevin Finzio, and two Marianjoy staffers met with Gary Sinise after the concert.

Clean Air Counts on Marianjoy

2008-07-10T12:19:00.001-05:00

Marianjoy was selected to be featured on a billboard for our participation in “Clean Air Counts” and our achievements in reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds.

Marianjoy joined Clean Air Counts in October of 2007, and since then the hospital has reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) by over 36,000 pounds as a result of using low VOC cleaning products, installing low VOC carpeting, and other green efforts.

“In part because we are located on 60 acres of restored prairie owned by the Wheaton Franciscan sisters, Marianjoy has a tradition and commitment to honor the earth. As an example, when we built our new 175,000 square foot hospital on the campus, only seven trees were removed and each of them was recycled into materials used to create furniture for our chapel and boardroom. Building the hospital also provided us with a window of opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the environment by making voluntary, conscious greener choices in our building materials and supplies and by designing a space that complements nature rather than conflicting with it,” said Kathleen Yosko, President and CEO of Marianjoy.

The “Clean Air Counts on Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital” billboard can be seen on Roosevelt Road just east of Highland Avenue in Lombard.

The Clear Air Counts campaign is a program managed by the Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus, which encourages companies to make a difference in Chicago’s air quality by reducing pollution emissions.

Practice Greenhealth

2008-07-02T12:08:00.001-05:00

Marianjoy and our parent organization, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, received a national award from Practice Greenhealth, an organization that recognizes environmental stewardship in health care organizations.

In order to win, each site within the organization demonstrated that it is working to improve and expand programs to eliminate mercury, reduce waste, and prevent pollution.

Practice Greenhealth is the nation’s leading membership and networking organization for institutions in the healthcare community that have made a commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Members include hospitals, healthcare systems, businesses and other stakeholders engaged in the greening of healthcare to improve the health of patients, staff and the environment.

Keith D'Souza. M.D.. Named Associate Medical Director, Marianjoy Brain Injury Program

2008-07-01T11:39:00.001-05:00

Dr. Keith D’Souza has joined the Marianjoy Medical Group as Associate Medical Director of the Brain Injury Program.

Dr. D’Souza joined the Marianjoy Medical Group in 2008 as a staff physiatrist after completing his residency at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. His clinical practice focuses on brain injury, acute rehabilitation, outpatient clinics and consulting in community hospitals. Dr. D’Souza is board eligible in physical medicine and rehabilitation and is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

“I chose Marianjoy because of their reputation for hard working clinicians and support staff who are fully invested in outstanding patient care,” said Dr. D’Souza. “My interest in physical medicine and rehabilitation goes back to an interaction I had years ago with a 19-year-old who had been in a motor vehicle accident. In researching treatment for his condition, I discovered my passion for this field of medicine. Now I am honored to help lead the brain injury team at Marianjoy and treat individuals who need acute rehabilitation following a traumatic brain injury.”

Dr. D’Souza earned his medical degree from St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India, and has completed specialty training in cervical, lumbar, and caudal epidurals; transforaminal and peripheral nerve blocks; intra-articular facet and medial branch blocks; sacroiliac joint injections; BOTOX® and phenol injections; and trigger point and intra-articular injections.

In addition to Marianjoy, Dr. D’Souza is on the medical staff at Central DuPage Hospital, Edward Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and Rush-Copley Medical Center.

Using the Labyrinth in a Rehabilitation Setting

2008-03-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

A physical therapist walks just behind her patient, arms outstretched as if to enfold her patient with care. The patient, a woman in her forties who struggles with MS, is walking very slowly and intently upon the circular path of the labyrinth, her head down. Both are practicing a form of concentration; the therapist focused on the physical movement of her patient and the patient engaged in a meditative mindset. They reach the center. The patient pauses, standing very still with tears streaming down her face. The therapist stands beside her, head bowed, silently bearing witness.

I witnessed this scene on a day in which the Spiritual Care Department at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital had set up a canvas labyrinth owned by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, our Sponsors. As I watched, I was overcome with emotion and a sense that I was not only witnessing something profound but prophetic.

I walked over to the patient to offer spiritual care and comfort after she left the labyrinth. For many minutes she cried tears of joy and pain as she recounted the experience of feeling God’s presence with her as she walked. For her, it was a miracle to walk at all. And to feel the presence of God, the strength she received in the center, and the hope for her future, was practically overwhelming.

The New Labyrinth at Marianjoy
Marianjoy Chaplains had set up the canvas labyrinth walk in anticipation of the new permanent labyrinth to come. In August 2006, the new Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital opened, and with it a 1,520 square foot exact reproduction of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France.

To enhance the naturally healing atmosphere at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, the centrally located labyrinth garden represents a path for physical and spiritual healing and renewal. The labyrinth is an ancient symbol used around the world as a metaphor for life’s journey. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one entrance, one path, and one destination. For centuries, labyrinths have been used for centering reflection, self discovery, and mindful movement for all who take the time to walk or wheel the path.

Walking and Wheeling the Path as Physical Therapy
Often I observe people walking our new labyrinth – staff, patients, family members or members of the community. When used by patients in wheelchairs, the labyrinth path is simply straddled by the wheels of the chair as the patient is pushed by someone else along the path to the center and back. It is a humbling sight to witness.

Collaborating with physical therapists in both inpatient and outpatient operations, the
Spiritual Care Department began a program of co-therapy using the labyrinth. This program includes the physical therapist walking the labyrinth with the patient, with the chaplain providing spiritual companionship immediately afterwards. One of our first collaborations produced a truly meaningful outcome.

One Patient’s Experience
The patient, “Jose,” had been in a motorcycle accident. He was currently an outpatient working on stamina, balance and gait issues in physical therapy. In talking with the chaplain, he mentioned that he felt this accident was a part of his “spiritual journey” and that he was having a hard time incorporating its meaning into his life. In using the language of “journey,” it seemed as if the labyrinth would be a perfect tool for his self-discovery, as well as his physical rehabilitation.
We arranged to walk the labyrinth on a beautiful October day. The sun was shining so brightly that Jose had to shield his eyes, causing him to focus intently upon the path. This, he later stated, actually made it easier for him to focus and filter outside interference, which had been a challenge since is head injury. He walked slowly and intently—his therapist just behind him watching for balance and gait performance. The length of time it takes to walk the labyrinth would be a test of his physical endurance.

After the walk, Jose sat with me to talk about the spiritual impact of the labyrinth. He couldn’t get over what had happened. It was a profound experience, in which he found himself at the beginning remembering times from his childhood that he had long since forgotten. In the center, he strongly felt the presence of God, and received guidance about his spiritual path. Walking back out, he heard a call from God for him and his wife about their future. In fact, he saw into his future with his wife and yet-to-be born children. “Listen to me,” was the message he received that day. And he vowed to take that message seriously and listen for God’s guidance in the remaining part of his life’s journey.

I continue to be amazed at the spiritual insights which are available through the use of the labyrinth. Using it in a rehabilitation setting just seems to be a natural fit. No matter who walks or wheels its path, the labyrinth has a spiritual impact on its users. We are graced by the labyrinth for the spiritual care of our patients and visitors, and grateful for its place in the “healing sanctuary” that is Marianjoy.

by Rev. Dr. Patricia Roberts, Marianjoy Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Care