Regaining Her Independence
Clarissa Cartwright woke up from surgery with paralysis on her left side and diminished sensation. Shepherd Center helped her get back to her active lifestyle.
When Clarissa Cartwright began her rehabilitation in Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, the first thing the therapists did was stand her up for a walk down the hall. This was no small feat. Since her surgery, Clarissa had not been able to leave her hospital bed. She hadn’t yet been able to sit up.
“I was shocked they could get me to walk on my very first session,” she said. “I couldn’t even sit on my own without falling over.”
In June 2023, Clarissa had surgery to remove a massive benign brain tumor. When she awoke from surgery, she discovered her left side was paralyzed and without feeling, due to an acquired brain injury (ABI) from the surgery. Doctors were optimistic that she would regain function, but it would be a long journey.
Her mother researched rehabilitation facilities for her daughter and was impressed with Shepherd Center. Clarissa was admitted to the ICU on July 10, 2023.
Clarissa, an active single mother of two boys, landlord of two properties, and a business systems analyst, had one important goal: to regain her independence. She was also determined to walk upon discharge.
She worked with therapists on balance, strength, fine motor skills, and functional activities. She learned how to transfer from her wheelchair to the bed, the toilet, and a car. She also worked with a speech therapist on short-term memory, divided attention, and executive functioning skills.
“Everyone at Shepherd Center was so positive and encouraging, the perfect environment for healing,” Clarissa says. “It was very motivating. I felt safe there. I was part of a community and everyone wanted me to succeed.”
And succeed she did. She gradually regained her strength and balance, and walked with the aid of a walker. Her memory improved. Clarissa was discharged from the ABI floor Aug. 31, and a week later, she walked independently into Shepherd Pathways, Shepherd Center’s comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation program for people recovering from brain injury.
She continued her rehabilitation at Pathways and completed a Shepherd Center driving program to get back on the road. She also worked with a career counselor at Pathways to help with the transition back to work.
“I am so grateful to Shepherd Center. It was the perfect choice,” Clarissa says. “They gave me my life back. To me, they are real-life superheroes.”
By Sara Baxter
With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.