When my daughter Allison was seven months old I received a phone call from her doctor. As soon as I heard his voice I knew the news wasn't good, because we all know the doctor himself never calls to speak to you directly unless it's something bad. Her EEG results had come back and he thought based on the results that she had had a stroke and would likely never walk. The rest of the conversation was deafened after those words.

That was the worst day of my life. I reached a low that I never knew possible and completely fell apart. But when I finally got over the shock and picked myself up off the floor, I said some not-so-nice words and vowed (as is my nature) that I would prove him wrong.

Allison has been doing Aquatics Therapy at Hope Rehab since November 2009, just shy of her second birthday. At the time she could not walk, could barely crawl, had an extremely difficult time with coordination and practically no core strength. Today, not only can she walk, she RUNS everywhere and makes sure to give all the wonderful staff at Hope a friendly 'Hello' and big hug when she walks through the door.

I can barely put into words how deeply grateful I am to Cindy Cochrane, Allison's physical therapist. She is a true baby whisperer, knowing exactly how hard to push Allison and what motivates her to move forward. Without her, I'm not sure Allison would be thriving like she is today.

I heard a quote recently from another parent with a similar story to ours that I thought described our attitude, as well as Hope Rehab's attitude about Allison, "I never thought about what she couldn't do. I only imagined what she could."

I can't thank you enough for the most amazing gift you have given our family.

God Bless you, Hope Rehab!

Katie Bromm

 
Thanks so much for all that you did for me over the last several weeks-- months really!  I know that I am 'nearly there' and have the tools to get back to where I want to be.  It has been a struggle but a pleasure to have met everyone at Hope Rehab.

My first impressions were very good as I walked through the self opening door- bright, airy and very professional looking.  Those impressions were solidified as I came to work with you and the other staff.
 
Now all I have to do is stay on my bike!

 
Best regards,
Rick

To: Mary Beth & Hanna & Noel & Jeff & Sharon & Regina & Angel & Glen & Patricia & Jordan

I just wanted to write to thank all of you for ____________________________. It was not just what you did that made my recovery a success; it was the attitude doing it that made it special. The spirit that filled the whole facility not only made it easy to show up, but show up on time, and smile while I was being made better. I hope to carry with me a little of that feeling and not just a stronger more flexible neck.

Barbara & Tom

You have a phenomenal facility and have obviously done something special to create the atmosphere that I tried to describe. You need to write a book.

Sincerely,

Don Wells

You may have noticed a small blank in my note above. I couldn't think of just one thing to thank you for. From the list below, just pick out the items that apply to You:

* the high quality Physical Therapy
* the friendly greetings when I entered your facility
* not just doing the standard "60 minutes of stuff", but obviously taking the time and doing what it really took to make me better
* making me feel comfortable with the title "Mr. Don"
* getting me back to doing and enjoying what I was doing before my injury
* the pauses to ask how I was doing, as you moved from one client to another, you obviously cared about my progress!
* laughing WITH me, and not AT me
* making me feel comfortable doing wall angels, even though I know one day there will be videos on YouTube
* inspiring me to continue to exercise at home

- and -

* the really cool Katy Hope Rehab Graduation shirt that I will proudly wear

Dear Barbara:

      Less than a month ago, I brought my daughter, Zoe, for a swim stroke evaluation at your facility. Zoe is 13 years old and has been swimming for many years and has progressed into competitive swimming programs and events. She began complaining of shoulder pain and since I am a patient at Hope, I decided to bring her in for an evaluation.

      Your therapist worked with Zoe for nearly two hours in your state of the art facility. He carefully observed her performance in various strokes and utilized video recording to confirm his impressions. He provided preliminary advice on subtle changes that she could incorporate. He also provided a detailed written evaluation and recommendation for us to review. All of us could see her swim, but only Todd's trained eye could see what she was doing wrong. Bear in mind that all of us includes many instructors and coaches over the past years. The results have been incredible!

     Zoe's times have decreased an average of seven seconds in all of her strokes. This is confirmed in her qualified competitive events. What is even more amazing is that she is doing all of this without pain. Truly amazing!

Sincerely,

Jeffrey E. Folloder
Proud Parent & Hope Rehab Patient

To All My Friends at Hope Rehab Katy,

Thank you for the care, compassion, and instruction you have given me after my recent knee surgery. All of this therapy treatment has been instrumental in helping me regain my strength and functionality.

Each therapist and assistant always had my health, comfort, and recovery as a priority.

Hope Rehab has been a positive, beneficial and encouraging experience. Therefore, I would highly recommend this facility to anyone who is recovering from an injury, surgery, or any other debilitating situation.

Many thanks for your care, and genuine concern and encouragement during my recovery.

Sincerely,

Shirley Simpson

Barb,

      I hiked over 80 miles at Philmont in the Sangre de la Cristo Rocky mountains from July 3rd through July 13th and had no major issues with my ankle. We hiked as high as 11,000 feet and as long as 12 miles in a day with a 2000 foot elevation change from 8000 to 10,000 feet in less than 5 hours and I had no major issues that 2 ibuprofen couldn't handle. I weighed my pack at the beginning of the Trek and it weighed 52lbs full, which it was for most of the hike. I would say I averaged a 48lb pack for the entire time.

      You did one heck of a job getting my ankle ready for that ordeal just 10 months past surgery - considering the usual recovery time of a year from a major joint surgery.

I just wanted to say Thank You!

I will definitely see you when I have the other leg worked on! Let me know when you all move.

Take Care,

Michael G. Bayliss

Dear Barb,

As I got out of the pool yesterday after happily swimming laps it occurred to me how thankful I am that you, with your wonderful God given talent, & me, with a then recent rotator cuff repair crossed paths. I honestly think it must have been Divine intervention. You may recall that swimming has always been an important part of my life..swimming laps, teaching, coaching & just plain having fun in the water. For almost a year I had been unable to swim freestyle due to an excruciating pain each time I raised my arm. After an MRI confirmed that I had a torn rotator cuff Dr. Carlyle, my orthopedic doctor, warned me that after surgery it would be a 3 month recovery...a devastating realization for a swimmer & handbell ringer/director... my other passion.

The surgery was done Friday, 3-9-07, and on Monday, 3-12, I made my first visit to Hope Rehab & literally into your arms. I told you my plan was to swim in Masters Nationals in Aug, but little did I know then that I should really swim a preparatory meet in June, just 3 months after surgery. I always felt we were a team with you as Captain of our team. From the first day you gently maneuvered my arm & shoulder I felt very secure in your hands & in the decisions you made as to my exercises..both there & at home. It was obvious from the onset that you really knew your business. As I progressed I began to use my arm more & more & even began a little swimming ..ultimately deciding I could actually swim the June meet. Due to your skilled physical therapy plan my arm was in good condition & I even made a national qualifying time. I could never have done it without you, Barb, & the other employees at Hope Rehab. Dr Carlyle was also very impressed as he tracked your results on each of my subsequent visits.

I'm now busy getting in shape to compete with other 'seniors' in August. Once again my sincere thanks to you & your wonderful staff.

Best Regards,
Carol Mungavin

     Hope Rehab Katy and their staff have made such a difference in my life! I was a gymnast as a child but soon out grew that sport and avidly took up running. Unfortunately, in December of 2006, I had to undergo knee surgery to correct several injuries I had sustained from being active with weak knees. The surgeon removed two tears from my meniscus (one medial and one lateral), removed bone fragments caused by severe chondromalacia, smoothed the underside of my patella, performed a lateral release, and then reset my patella. Soon after surgery, I began Physical Therapy at Hope Rehab Katy. The staff was incredibly supportive and developed a therapy plan that not only expedited my recovery but also strengthened both my legs and improved my running form.

     Eight weeks after surgery I ran my first road race since sustaining my injuries. I finished the Rodeo Run 5k in 31:03. I continued therapy for a few weeks afterward. In those weeks the staff of Hope Rehab Katy encouraged me continually and provided advice on maintaining healthy knees and improving my gait to in turn become a better runner.

     This past weekend I finished my first triathlon, Iron Girl 2007. I finished in 1:50:03 placing 2nd in the run and 6th overall in my age bracket. I can positively assert that this feat would not have been possible without the professional care and friendly encouragement I received while at Hope Rehab Katy.

     My sincerest thanks go to all the staff members who made the road to recovery so manageable and meaningful for me. Keep in touch; I will be sure to let you know how my next triathlon (in November 2007) and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon (in January 2008) turn out!

Deepest gratitude,

Emilie Mienser

Dear Hope Rehabilitation Staff,

A few years ago I came to you with a common running injury--Iliotibial Band Syndrome or as we runners call it, IT Band Syndrome. I had been training for the 2004 Houston Marathon and was completing a 12 mile run when I experienced an aggravating pain in my knee. I tried to take care of the problem by resting, but as most runners can tell you, it's not in our nature to "wait things out."

I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with the IT Band Syndrome. I was referred to Hope and it's the best move I've ever made. You all immediately realized my passion for running and instead of making me quit, you got me up and running--in your water tank! After my "runs" I worked with Barb on stretching techniques. Deep tissue massage was administered to the affected area.

The staff at Hope worked with me in overcoming the injury and well as teaching me way to avoid injuring myself once I was back up and running.

I've been injury free for THREE YEARS!

I am happy to report that I have run FOUR marathons and I owe it all to the staff at Hope Rehabilitation!

Thank you!

Kelley Kerlick
Katy ISD Teacher and KatyFit Marathon Training Program member