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Cassandra and physical therapist

Cassandra’s Story: Back on Her Feet While Managing Chronic Pain

Cassandra H., 63, has spent a lifetime on her feet. She was a clinical pharmacist and worked on her feet most days while helping patients. As a young woman, she played volleyball, basketball and ran track. She has continued to enjoy physical activities like bowling, golfing and exercising.

Patient Story

Larke studying

‘College is Possible’: Larke’s Advice for Students with Disabilities

Larke always has driven to be independent, and she wants kids with CP or other disabilities to believe that college is possible for them, too. Below read a Q&A with Larke’s advice for students who want to continue their education.

Patient Story

Larke flexing

‘College is Possible’ with Cerebral Palsy: Larke’s Story

Larke J. was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) when she was only nine months old. While she was a baby, she started coming to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab on an outpatient basis — with her mom and dad, Angela and Armand, taking full advantage of early, specialized therapy for CP during the years when Larke’s brain was developing rapidly.

Patient Story

Dean playing guitar

Dean Gets Fresh Start After Double Lung Transplant and Rehabilitation

Just two years ago, Dean C. started to experience a strange, dry cough that would not go away. After consulting with doctors, he received what he called “the worst news I could imagine.” He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer — and he was only 27 years old.

Patient Story

Nicole hiking

Nicole’s Mobility Milestone: Walking a 5K After Brain Tumor & Rehabilitation

Nicole came to Chicago for brain surgery, followed by eight days of intensive rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to restore her mobility after surgery. As part of her journey, she regained the ability to walk.

Patient Story

Jack dancing

Jack Keeps Dancing Thanks to Performing Arts Medicine

Jack started to experience pain in his hip and knee. Even more concerning, his left knee started to give out on him while rehearsing and while teaching fitness in his secondary role as a certified physical trainer.

Patient Story

Brendan

‘Gotta Have the Grit’: Brendan’s Recovery from a Traumatic Brain Injury

"Don't ever give up, no matter what." After experiencing a traumatic brain injury due to a car accident, Brendan tackled 10 weeks of intensive inpatient rehabilitation.

Patient Story

Joe walking his dog

Joe’s Story: Gaining Patience & Perspective in the Face of Post-stroke Language Recovery

One morning while he was getting ready for work, Joe had a stroke, triggered by a blocked carotid artery. In addition to mobility issues and other physical impairments, Joe experienced aphasia and apraxia, communication disorders that can occur after a stroke.

Patient Story

Annelies

Meet Annelies: Building Community while Living with Aphasia

Since her stroke, Annelies has worked tirelessly to regain her speech and language skills. She completed several sessions of the month-long Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where she first learned about the hospital’s aphasia community groups.

Patient Story

Steph with his service dog, Noel

Steph Returns to College after Spinal Cord Injury with Service Dog at His Side

After experiencing a spinal cord injuy, Steph returns to college with the help of his service dog.

Patient Story

Paityn

“I Can Do Hard Things”: Paityn’s Recovery from Guillain-Barré Syndrome at 14

After suddenly becoming paralyzed and diagnosed with a rare neurologic condition, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), 14-year-old Paityn C. came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Patient Story

David

David’s Story: The Power of Possibility after Guillain-Barré Syndrome

One Saturday evening, David started to notice tingling in his feet. He assumed he had sat for too long in one position and expected it to fade by morning — but it didn’t. Instead, it spread and intensified throughout his body. He got himself to the emergency room — and collapsed at the front desk.

Patient Story