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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

Nickolas

Nickolas’ Story: Healing through Education After Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Nickolas G., a physician, came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for intensive rehabilitation after becoming paralyzed by Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) — a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves.

Patient Story

DeMarcus

DeMarcus’ Story: Finding Healing after Limb Loss through Art Therapy

DeMarcus P. came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after his left foot was amputated following a work accident. Through intensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, he regained strength and learned to walk using a prosthetic leg. DeMarcus also discovered healing in our art therapy program — utilizing his creativity to process the frustration and emotional stress of his injury and recovery.

Patient Story

Sarah

Sarah Reaches New Heights after Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Meet Sarah, who came to us for extensive therapy after being diagnosed with GBS. Today, her function and independence are restored.

Patient Story

harvey

Meet Baby Harvey: A Year in the Life with Cerebral Palsy

Harvey S. was only four months old when he traveled with his parents, Michele and Jake, from Virginia to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and soon began inpatient “habilitative therapy” — a type of therapy geared toward developing new skills, often used in children with chronic conditions.

Patient Story

John

John’s Story: Finding Healing & Self-Acceptance in Art Therapy

John D. was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, often without warning. The resulting nerve damage can cause muscle weakness and, in John’s case, paralysis.

Patient Story

Nick and family

Nick’s Story: How Assistive Technology Gave Him a Voice

Nick lost the ability to communicate at just 17 years old when his heart stopped during a routine surgery on his jaw. He went without oxygen for 10 minutes, leaving him with a severe brain injury and unable to walk, talk or eat.

Patient Story

Bob

Bob’s Story: Helping Patients Envision Life After a Left Ventricular Assist Device

Bob, who will turn 85 on his next birthday, served as one of approximately 35 volunteers in the Peer Mentorship Program offered through the rehabilitation hospital’s Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center.

Patient Story

Tracy

Tracy’s Big Year: From the Paralympics to Parenthood

It has been a whirlwind of a year for Tracy O. — who has gone from competing as a Paralympian at the 2024 Paris summer games to embarking on a new adventure, parenthood.

Patient Story