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Spinal cord injuries affect an estimated 17,730 indiviuals each year in the U.S. Madonna cares for hundreds of these patients annually, and we are committed to improving their independence and quality of life. In honor of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, we spoke with Diane Ulmer, OTR/L, the program manager for Madonna’s specialized Spinal Cord Injury Program.
Survivors of a spinal cord injury may have to navigate life differently after an injury, but it doesn't mean an end to the passions or hobbies they once enjoyed. Kraig Kettler suffered a spinal cord injury as a teen. Years later, he credits much of his active lifestyle to his attitude and the care he received at Madonna's Lincoln Campus.
As a teacher, lesson plans are a part of Whitney Hulse’s daily life. But after suffering a spinal cord injury in a car crash, Whitney, from Ames, Iowa, shifted from Spanish teacher to patient at Madonna’s Lincoln Campus, becoming a full-time student in relearning how to stand, walk and build stamina. Whitney worked tirelessly in therapy for six weeks, reaching milestones like standing, walking and driving. Today, Whitney is back in the classroom, teaching Spanish to her middle and high school students.
The last few years have been a roller coaster ride for James Rosenkranz. After breaking his leg in a 2018 car crash, James’ hope for a brief recovery has turned into years of rehabilitation. While healing from trauma, he developed a blood clot that traveled to his lungs causing a pulmonary embolism, and wound up in the hospital again. James slipped into a two-week coma, losing function of both legs. Doctors weren’t optimistic, giving James only an 11% chance of recovering. But that didn’t stop the retired Navy veteran from setting the bar high working with his care team at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals-Lincoln Campus.
The INDEPENDENT is a quarterly magazine published for friends of Madonna highlighting patient stories, development and acquisition of new technology, Madonna Foundation events and more. To be added to the mailing list to receive a copy, visit the link below.
Interested in sharing your Madonna recovery story or providing our team with an update on your progress since leaving our hospitals? Visit the page below.