David and Kalina

What are some of your childhood memories? Did you love to chase butterflies? What about your adolescence? Did you participate in a sport? Imagine, then, what memories Kalina and David will have. Kalina has been in rehab since she was 18 months old. David was 16 when he was in a debilitating car accident. In his year-and-a-half of rehab, he has learned to walk and talk again. Here are their stories:

Kalina
A typical, talkative four-year-old, Kalina proudly demonstrates what she’s learned at school: “Sometimes I learn my days. Sometimes I do those and say all of those: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Sometimes I count. I have friends at school and here.”

“Here” is Hope Network Children and Adults Rehabilitation Services in Big Rapids. Kalina’s parents, Martin and Marlene, became concerned when she still wasn’t trying to stand when she was a year old. Tests revealed that Kalina had a hereditary disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which decreases her muscle cells and doesn’t allow them to reproduce. Kalina has been in therapy since the diagnosis. She wears braces on her legs, feet and arms. A threshold electrical stimulus unit builds up her muscles at night. She uses a wheelchair and explains, “ I can put it forward and I can put it down and up and go that way and that way. And I can even play with it outside and inside.”

“She receives seven hours of therapy a week,” Martin said. “Everyone here is wonderful and has become a friend. She’s grown up with them because as far as she knows, she’s come here all her life. We use the staff as liaisons with the other specialists. We get everything funneled through here because we see the doctors once every 3-4 months; we see the people here 3-4 times a week. When we see a new doctor and are asked how much therapy we’re doing, they’re amazed at how much we’re able to do and tell us to continue. If we had to go to Grand Rapids or somewhere else, it would be more difficult to keep up this level. I can’t say enough about this facility. Hope has been great for us.”

When asked what she does at Rehab, Kalina, who is painting, says, “I stretch my legs and play like I’m doing now. And sometimes I do exercises now that I’m big like this [She demonstrates by reaching her arms over her head.] It feels good and makes my bones strong.”

Kelly Fishback, Kalina’s occupational therapist, said, “When Kalina paints, we’re working on strengthening her hands. My focus is on building muscle strength and fine motor coordination in her hands, arms, and shoulders. An issue we face is that she is still growing. Whenever she has a growth spurt, her limbs get longer, which means her bones are heavier and she has to build her depleted muscle reserves back up. We do a lot of exercises using a wand with Kalina lying down so gravity doesn’t work against her as much. Physical therapy focuses on the trunk and lower half of the body. Together, we’re working on Kalina’s entire body so it can function. Each growth spurt increases the need for therapy. Most children gain strength through playing, running around and doing activities that naturally strengthen their bodies. Kalina’s physical strengthening activities have to be more intentional.”

She gets a lot of support from her older sister, Kehau, and brother, Kaleb. “They’re always helping her,” said Martin. “Kaleb’s eight and supposed to be cool, yet he always makes sure she’s OK.”

Kalina, in her typical bubbly style, elaborates: “I go to St. Peter’s school where my brother goes. He goes in a different classroom, and I go in a different classroom, too. Sometimes I go in the driveway and I play and Kaleb says, ‘Stay on the grass’ when he plays basketball. It’s so I won’t get hit by the ball…” And she happily chatters on as she “plays” with Kelly.

David
In May 2003, David was in a car accident. He received significant brain injuries and multiple pelvic fractures. Airlifted to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, he spent three weeks in the hospital before going to Mary Free Bed for intensive rehab. He couldn’t talk or walk and for six months had to be fed with a stomach tube because he couldn’t swallow.

A junior at Dansville High School, David’s GPA was 3.8 before the accident. He was active in wrestling, soccer, theater and played in a band. Sue Korte, his occupational therapist said, “Given the severity of the accident, it’s amazing that he’s doing what he’s doing. You can see how motivated he is because of all the gains he as made and continues to make.”

When asked what achievement he’s particularly proud of, David says, slowly and carefully enunciating each word, “People actually understand what I’m saying instead of them needing a body motion or gesture.” Being able to communicate again has been a tremendous achievement for him. Melissa Mazur, his speech therapist, said, “He works very hard and is an incredible guy.”

David goes to school every day and spends three afternoons a week at Lansing Rehab. He no longer needs a wheelchair and is now using a weighted walker or cane to walk around. He can get dressed by himself and has started participating in extracurricular activities again. He said, “This fall I helped with the soccer team, and this winter I hope to help coach part of my favorite sport, wrestling.”

David has a lot of encouragement with the challenges he faced after the accident. His friends, especially his best friend, Pat, visited him regularly in the hospital and continue to be a support for him. His parents have participated in his therapy and modified their home to better accommodate his needs, and his sister has changed her major at Western Michigan University to speech pathology. His faith, too, has been integral to his recovery. He said, “I have come to realize that you have to believe in the Big Man and what He says. He’ll help with everything.”

It has been a year of many milestones for David. One particularly important event was serving as best man at his brother’s wedding. He practiced diligently for his part and admitted to a little stage fright: “It was really hard to have to read a speech.”

David knows he has a lot of challenges ahead, but is encouraged as he continues to make gains toward increased independence. In school, he excels in math and enjoys speech and debate class. He said, “My dad is good at math, too, and he has his own law office. I want to be a lawyer, too.” When a guest comments that David’s math skills will come in handy when he determines how much he can charge in legal fees, he laughs. It’s clear that one aspect of David’s life hasn’t changed – his sense of humor and his positive attitude. His eyes grow bright when he talks about his plans for the future and twinkle as he comments about lawyer jokes. Although he knows it will be a while before he meets all of his goals, he said, “I’m grateful to be alive and I’m thankful for everything.”

Jim and Philip

Approximately 400,000 Americans are living with a spinal cord injury. Every year, 11,000 more suffer a spinal cord injury; 81% of those injured are men.

Jim, 65, is one of them. A welder and outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed his job and the required travel that brought him to many different Michigan locations. One of his greatest loves was playing with his grandchildren. In September 2000, Jim's life changed. Because of an auto-accident, he went from being a healthy and active provider to someone who couldn't sit independently and would require a wheelchair for all mobility.

Jim has received Physical Therapy at various levels since he was discharged from the hospital. Through this therapy, Jim has gained the strength, coordination, and endurance needed so he can walk in braces between parallel bars and around his workshop.

Jim also has been able to continue one of his favorite past times, woodworking. One of his beautiful oak creations is on the wall of Hope Network's waiting room. Today Jim can plow his own driveway, go hunting, and use adaptive boating equipment. Through the commitment of professional skilled staff, along with his personal drive and motivation, Jim has accomplished many goals that may have otherwise seemed unattainable. He continues to receive therapy, as needed, to ensure his ability to maintain his, once again, active lifestyle.

Philip, then 6, also was involved in a devastating auto-accident. He couldn't walk, sit up, or dress himself. Now 11, he can walk with the help of braces, sit independently, and complete most of the task of dressing himself. Due to Philip's high level of motivation, positive family support, and the dedication of Hope Network's staff, he has made remarkable progress. As part of his therapy he loves to create artwork, and craft and cooking projects. Phillip also is very active in the community; he enjoys playing the tuba in his school band and is the current Bible Quiz Champion at church.

Because of their satisfaction with his progress, Philip's parents drive him 30-minutes one way, 3-4 times per week so he can receive therapy. Both children and adults receiving therapy look to Philip for inspiration to reach their potential as he continues to reach for his goal of greater independence.

"When I Paint, I Am No Longer Disabled"

A Personal Testimonial
By N. Zebrowski - HNLRS

Creativity is the essence of life.

This has been one of my core beliefs – especially more so since my accident in 1989. I've tried my hand at various activities, but hadn't found anything that has been as truly satisfying and challenging since I started painting.

Before my disability, I was able to do anything I put my mind to - from academics to music. However, all that changed (for the worse) because of my head injury. My self-esteem/self-confidence crumbled before my eyes like so much broken glass. I ended up in a dark abyss with no escape in sight.

However, just about a year ago I moved back to the Lansing area as a client at Hope Network Rehabilitation Services. It was through Hope Network (and the prodding of both my mother, Christine Zebrowski, and my devoted recreational therapist, Melissa Haid) that I tried Hope’s “Art Therapy” program. No knowing what to expect, with my only experience at painting being doors, walls, and ceilings, I gave it a shot; within 30 minutes I was hooked! The speech-language pathologist running the program, Chris Schneider, looked at my first work of art – my attempt to paint someone else’s self portrait Picasso style – and showered me with compliments. I didn’t know if it was good or bad because she was so much fun. I finally found what my life had been missing those many years. A light had finally pierced the inky depths that I had found myself in. It was truly an epiphany.

Shortly after the 2004 holidays, Chris told me about “Art From the Heart,” and suggested that I contact Sue McGuire because I had “real talent.” Again, I thought she was pulling my leg and, again, I just went along. Sheepishly, I brought along a couple of paintings that I had recently finished as a sort of “audition.” Sue saw them and immediately asked me to joing. I’ve been with the group ever since – and I couldn’t be happier.

Now I’ve become a painting fanatic, juggling two or three different paintings at a time, and constantly looking for new sources of inspiration.

When I paint I am no longer a disabled. I have a new talent to distinguish myself – a new sense of accomplishment and a growing self-worth. Also, when I paint, the chronic pain, to which I’ve been sentenced to life, fades into the background because I find myself lost in the “little world” I’ve created with my brushes. I am no longer confined to a world that exists only on my television (that was my old pastime since my injury). Now I look for, or try to find, the beauty in everything I see an/or every person I meet. I now ignore what Hollywood and advertisers try to fob off on us as “beauty.” I’m able, now, to do this because I create beauty nearly every day with my artwork. There is nothing more empowering than that.

Painting has become my life's "work" and I can think of no other vocation as freeing as that.