The Highlands helps COVID survivor overcome foot drop and encephalopathy

Kathleen Thebodeau came to The Highlands in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on April 8, 2021, for help recovering from COVID-19 and toxic encephalopathy.

The illnesses had left her with foot drop, an issue in carrying through her step with her foot. She was very weak and needed a hoyer lift to get in and out of bed and three people to help her with bed mobility.

The therapy team was determined to help Kathleen reach her goal of returning home. She took part in physical, occupational and speech therapies, going to therapy six days a week. Physical therapy used electrical stimulation to help her legs with motion, and they trained her on standing and gait. They also helped her with an ankle foot orthosis to address her foot drop. Occupational therapists retrained her in her activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing and grooming, and speech therapists helped her with her language and writing skills.

“Rehab was wonderful and worked very hard with me,” said Katherine. “They were patient and kind. Ximena [Lievano, speech therapist] was so wonderful!”

Ximena shared, “Kat is now able to read and write at an independent level. Her cognitive skills and language skills improved significantly.”

Katherine returned home on July 17, independent in her bed mobility and transfers and at a supervision level for standing tasks such as standing at the sink for hygiene.