A success story – Carl Malone at Life Care Center of Ooltewah

After suffering a stroke that affected the right side of his body, Carl Malone found himself struggling to do almost everything. He had trouble walking, balancing, lifting and even swallowing. The simplest activity was a great challenge to him.

When he arrived at Life Care Center of Ooltewah, Tennessee, to begin his inpatient therapy, it was determined that Carl would need a full range of rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapies.

But despite his many troubles, Carl was ready and eager to tackle his therapy and make a full recovery. According to Kim Stone, Physical Therapist at Life Care Center of Ooltewah, Carl was “pleasant, cooperative and motivated to work!”

He worked with physical therapists to improve his balance, tighten his coordination and increase his overall mobility. Occupational therapists targeted his decreased ability to function in varying environments, helping him relearn how to navigate different situations and handle normal activities of daily living.

And speech therapists provided him with strategies and techniques to help him restore his ability to chew and swallow.

“The staff were so patient and kind and helped me to understand my situation,” Carl said. “The therapists took great pains to make sure that I was comfortable with every procedure.”

After just a few months of work, Carl regained much of the function that he had lost, and he can now walk again. Throughout the process, Carl never lost his faith or his resolve to regain his strength and return home.

While Carl no doubt sees his completion of inpatient therapy as a great success, he shared that the greatest highlight of his experience occurred, surprisingly, on his very first day at the facility:

“It was my birthday. Executive Director Ashley Borja showed up with her staff with a birthday cake, balloons, and singing! How did they know? It was because they were paying attention to the details. My wife and I certainly had tears and were very thankful to be in a place that showed such love and care.”