Terry, a 66-year-old resident of Southern Maryland, lives a peaceful life by the water with his wife, Juanita. Together, they enjoy the simple pleasures of crabbing, fishing, watching sunsets, and exploring seafood restaurants. In May 2023, they traveled to Key West, Florida, to celebrate a major milestone—Terry had just completed his cancer treatments. However, their joyous trip took an unexpected turn on the last night of their vacation. While returning to the hotel on a scooter, the brakes failed, leading to a serious crash. Terry spent six weeks in a Miami hospital before being admitted to MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital (MNRH) in July to begin treatment for a spinal cord injury.
When Terry arrived at MNRH, he had clear goals: to get up, walk again, and improve the mobility in his hands. Reflecting on his time at MNRH, Terry describes the experience as "pretty awesome" and better than any other hospital he has ever been to. Dr. Gosai, his physician, visited him every day during his inpatient stay, and the hospital staff ensured his needs were met, from setting up his phone to assisting with water access. “Everyone is all about getting you up, getting you out, and just trying to make your life better,” Terry recalls. When he first arrived at MNRH, he couldn’t move a toe, but now, he uses a walker to stand and move around at home. He is determined to keep progressing, with the goal of eventually not needing a wheelchair.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including blood clots, vertigo, and difficulties dining out, Terry maintains a positive outlook on his new life. He continues to push himself to improve every day, with aspirations of cooking meals, traveling back to Florida, and walking on the dock.
One of the highlights of Terry’s summer was having some of the physical and occupational therapists visit his home to help him get on his boat, allowing him to enjoy a ride on the water—an experience that brought him great joy. The outpatient therapy staff have become like family to Terry, and he is deeply grateful for their support. With just two weeks remaining in his first phase of outpatient therapy, Terry is hopeful that, in the coming year, he will continue to improve his strength and fulfill his dream of going crabbing again next summer.