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We are evaluating Rehab Institute of Chicago, versus Shepherd Center in Atlanta for inpatient.
My brother's accident was on August 17th
He is in a rehab center in St. Louis right now, however on bed rest because of his pressure wound in the tailbone
Halo just came off and once the wound heals we can travel
We have narrowed it down to these two considering many other factors. which do you recommend?
My son, post injury 9 years attended RIC's2nd look program this past February. From that experience I can say I have never seen a better dedicated "rehab team". Be ready to work hard and you will gain much - after 9 years my son was feeding himself for the first time. I have heard good about Shepard also, but cannot speak personally about them. RIC has been #1 in the country for 21 years - don't think they stay that way by not being it. Good luck and make the most of either rehab - it's a new life!
We had a great experience at Shepherd. My 21 yr old son is 22 months post injury, C6/7 complete. He had a pressure wound after acute care in Boston that was just about surgical and on a vent when he arrived at Shepherd. They were amazing. He was off the vent the next day and they were able to address the wound without delaying his rehab and without surgery. Shepherd is a very positive place and my son and I credit them with "saving lives" after such traumatic life-changing events. A few weeks into rehab he kept saying he wanted to die if he couldn't take care of himself and because of what he learned both physically and emotionally at Shepherd (and a lot of hard work on my part I am not shy to say) he is happy and productive now, back in school, and really enjoys going back to visit everyone in Atlanta whenever he can. They will always be like family to us. I feel blessed that we found them when we did.
Oh...just a comment on the wound. My son had the wound when he left Boston for Atlanta which was 11 days after his accident. The wound didn't actually close up for 3 months so you will need to continue on before it heals. We were actually done with inpatient rehab and in the Day Program at Shepherd when it finally healed.
Thanks mntndreams and mary.
Mary, where was your son's wound? The approach this rehab is taking is that since they went on with therapy for a bout 4 weeks and the wound didn't get better they need to stop completely. Of course his lungs are getting worse since he is in bed all the time.
Do you recall what methods they used at Shepherds for healing the wound? Did they use the vac? Did they use E-stim at the wound site to improve circulation?
My brother's wound didn't show up, first as a blister on the tailbone, until 2 months after his accident
hi :)
i've heard that shepard is very good.i live in israel and the equivalent to shepard here is tel hashomer rehab. best of luck and.....lots of hugs,prayers,and smiles :) :) :) :) :)
His wound was right on the tailbone. It was stage 3/4 when he arrived at Shepherd. Just about surgical. No wound vac or e stim...just plain old cleaning and dressing twice a day and NO lying on his back in bed. Side to side or preferably proning on his stomach every night if he can swing it. We were given an air mattress to reduce the stress on his hips since he had one less area to lie on. No delay in rehab at all due to the wound but there was a delay in using the Activeaid raised toilet seat. It put pressure directly on the wound so his bowel program was done in bed for what seemed like forever. We ended up going back a year after his injury for more Day Program so they could work exclusively with him on getting independent with his BP. How long has your son had the wound? My son's accident was on 2/16/07 and he left BI in Boston on 2/27 (couldn't get out of there fast enough!!) and his wound finally closed up the second week in May just before we left Atlanta. It will always be a problem area. The skin is still no thin and sensitive around the area. Shepherd's attitude is what sets them apart. They would never delay rehab for something that can be addressed by simple awareness of the wound and making sure they adjust that they do so that no additional pressure it. And....unfortunatley....that sacral wound is VERY common given the total incompetence occurring at hospitals these days and many rehab patients have them when they arrive. I am happy to talk any time about anything. It didn't take long for me to figure out that the only way to learn about this stuff is to talk to others going thru it. I'm sure I could learn a lot from your experiences as well. Good luck!
Thanks Mary,
It is my brother who had the accident on August 17, 2008. He is 48 years old, not married and no children.
It is amazing how different hospitals have different attitudes. The number one in the nation says it has to be healed completely before rehab and I hear what you are saying about Shepherd as being totally different,
I am not sure which way is better, When his wound showed up they continued rehab, and used the traditional wound care, but it got worse so they decided to stop and now he is having lung problems because he is in bed all the time.
I will discuss this stuff when the rep from Shepherd center comes to visit next week.
Thanks and I will be in touch
I went to the Shepard Center Feb.08 - March 08. I have nothing but GREAT things to say about my stay. It was by the Grace of God that I got to go at all. At the time of my injury I had no insurance. They took me on a Grant and never had to pay a penny. My husband was aloud to go with me and stay in the apartments until it was time for me to go home also free of charge. I couldn't of asked for a nicer staff. From the Doctors to the nurses to the therapist were all so loving and helpful. If you do choose the Shepard Center, you'll have to be sure to talk to a lady by the name of Mina. Her husband in a counsler named Wayne. She tells you anything you need to know and if she doesn't have an answer, she'll find someone who does. She's not shy and doesn't mind talking about ANYTHING. Just remember to never give up and anything is possible. I was told I was a T-10 complete. It's only been ten months and I started moving my feet two days ago. I can feel to my knees and I sweat and chill below my level of injury, all of witch I was "NEVER" suppose to do. Keep Faith and know that God IS IN CONTROL. I wish you and your family all the best in witch ever you choose. God Bless.
Miss Mary,
Did your son use the E-stim bike at Shephard center while he had his wound?
Did they have the lokomat when your son was there and did he use it?
Thanks
Laleh
Please check out Shepherd Center website... http://www.shepherd.org/ My daughter was at Shepherds from May until September of 2007. It was the best place for her to be, the people are wonderful with a great program. I stayed with her for the first month then I went every weekend. She was in the NRN study through the Christopher Reeves Foundation.
Thank you jslegal
We met with their representative yesterday. We want to go there, hopefully we get the insurance to cooperate.
We are not sure about the insurance compnay paying for the transfer by Air ambulance, since he has the tailbone wound
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