This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Therapy Helps Toddler with Prosthetic Foot Reclaim Mobility

New Lenox residents Carrie and Kevin Wills went into a state of shock as their three-year old son, Owen, suffered a traumatic injury during a lawn mower accident that resulted in his right foot being amputated in the fall of 2013. Owen was left with a Syme’s Amputation and he also needed reconstructive surgery on the back of his left leg. After several surgeries to repair his foot and leg, Owen was fitted with a prosthetic foot and required physical therapy to learn to walk again.

 

“When we were researching where to take Owen for physical therapy, we learned that the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) was ranked the "#1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America" by U.S. News & World Report for over 20 years. We were thrilled to find out RIC had a location at Silver Cross Hospital, and that they offered Pediatric Services. We are really lucky that it is so close to our home instead of traveling downtown for such high quality care,” said Kevin Wills, Owen’s father.

Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

Collaborative Care

Find out what's happening in Mokenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“When Owen first got his prosthesis, he was unsure and quiet,” said Wills. “But quickly his therapist, Patty, formed a welcoming bond with him, and he soon was very responsive to her and his physical therapy.  We continue to be impressed with Patty’s team approach to Owen’s therapy treatment. She takes extra time to collaborate with Owen’s prosthetist to ensure his therapy is optimal for his type of prosthesis. We are just so grateful that Owen is able to receive such excellent care.”

 

In a mere 6 months of physical therapy once a week, Owen has made remarkable strides in improving his mobility. “Owen’s challenge was to learn to support himself on his prosthetic foot,” said Patty McQuinn, Pediatric Physical Therapist with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital. “I’m so happy to report that Owen’s ability to balance and stabilize on his prosthesis has greatly improved. He can jump, hop, and run as well as other children his age.”

 

Challenge Not Barrier for Owen

“Owen has no fears or hesitation to do therapy,” said McQuinn. “In fact, when I ask him to do an activity, he often makes suggestions on new activities he would like to try in therapy.”

 

“For me personally, my experience with Owen has been so rewarding to watch not only little Owen heal so well, but his entire family too,” said McQuinn. “It is reassuring to know this injury will not hold him back in achieving goals in his life. He is an adorable, special child that always puts a smile on my face.”

 

“By coming to Silver Cross patients have access to specialized care plans similar to those that are offered at RIC’s downtown Chicago location,” said Valerie Paluszak, Manager of Outpatient Rehabilitation for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital. “We are fortunate to have such highly trained and experienced physical, occupational and speech therapists working at Silver Cross, who truly make patients’ treatment successful enabling them to thrive, so they can return to their daily routines.”

 

Advice to Others

“My wife, Carrie, and I highly recommend the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital to patients,” said Wills. “And I would suggest to others, who are faced with a similar injury, to not give up hope and do the research to build the best care team for themselves just like we have for Owen.”

 

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at four locations. Additionally, the RIC team provides physical therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 340-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org.

 

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit http://www.silvercross.org/  or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care.  These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?