A Few of our Inspirational Achievers...
Thirteen-year old Derek Ruth is a champion to those who know him, both on and off the football field or baseball diamond. A star player on the Malcolm, Neb., midget football team, Derek suffered a traumatic brain injury during a game on Sept. 6, 2008. After surgeries to save Derek's life, which involved removing portions of his skull on both sides, he was transferred to Madonna's inpatient pediatric rehabilitation program in early October.
At first, Derek had very limited mobility and was unable to walk, talk or eat on his own. With the help of his Madonna team, the constant support of his family, and his faith and determination, Derek has made incredible progress.
Madonna social worker Diana Kluthe and another Ruth Family friend, Teresa Bruggeman, organized "Team Derek" to celebrate his achievements by participating in the Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon on May 3, 2009. Derek cheered on his supporters, including several Madonna staff, then walked with his family and team to cross the finish line -- running the last few yards. His winning smile said it all.
Jeromie Meyer approached life like a talented basketball player tasked with making a game-winning shot. He's poised and confident. These valuable traits were put to the test when a drunk driver struck Jeromie while he and big sister, Bailee, rode their bikes near his family's home in Woodbine, Iowa. Although life instantly changed for him, Jeromie faced his challenges with a positive attitude and good humor, choosing to focus on what he could control.
When he arrived at Madonna in April 2007, Jeromie had limited sensation and movement. He worked for hours in therapy every day, relearning to do the things that used to be part of his daily activities, like tying shoes, standing up and brushing his teeth. Both Jeromie and Bailee benefited from the Therapeutic Learning Center where an education specialist worked with the pair to help them keep up with schoolwork.
Today, Jeromie's high spirits are evident as he participates in adaptive sports and recreation activities. He’s the member of a national champion junior wheelchair basketball team and he continues to work with therapists from Madonna TherapyPlus on an outpatient basis to further improve his mobility.
Dusty Feil had just finished a day's harvesting and was driving a loaded grain truck with his wife and two nephews when he lost control and crashed in a ravine by the side of the road. A telephone pole guide wire sliced through the cab, severing Dusty's left arm and causing a traumatic brain injury.
Dusty was lifeflighted to Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kans., where doctors told his wife, Janeen, that Dusty may not make it through the night. Dusty survived several surgeries and was in a coma for a month before coming to Madonna for rehabilitation.
With intensive rehabilitation therapy and help from Janeen and both of their families, Dusty regained strength and improved cognitive functions. Since returning home with Janeen to Luray, Kans., Dusty has resumed farming and has helped renovate his house. "There's nothing I can't do when I set my mind to it," says Dusty, "It just takes a little longer."
Stephanie (Oliveros) Wever was used to health challenges. She was born with a hole in her heart that required surgery at four months of age. When Stephanie was almost twelve she had a major surgery to replace a portion of her aorta with Dacron tubing and implant a mechanical heart valve.
After recovering from two small strokes before she was 18, Stephanie thought her health problems were behind her. But while working one evening in 2005, Stephanie fell to the ground, suffering a massive stroke. She knew something was wrong and asked her co-worker to phone her fiancé Derek to whom she had become engaged just three weeks earlier. Derek immediately drove her to the nearest emergency room in Omaha, Neb., and less than a week later, Stephanie arrived at Madonna.
The stroke affected Stephanie's left side and she could not sit up in a chair or hold her head up, let alone walk. Slowly she regained her balance and worked on her speech. Stephanie's therapy teams incorporated her wedding planning into her therapy sessions as inspiration. Her positive attitude and strong family support helped her to remain determined and motivated throughout her rehabilitation. On May 18, 2007, Stephanie accomplished her main goal to walk down the aisle at her wedding and clearly say, "I do."
