Casie’s story: A testament of dedication, support and rehabilitation

As a therapist, Casie Henrikson spent her time advocating for children with autism and their families. The 30-year-old connected them with resources that could improve their lives and overall health.

After an extended illness that led to respiratory failure, she used some of those same skills to find the strength to advocate for herself and regain her independence.

In September 2022, Casie traveled to New York with her best friend for a getaway. A week after returning home, she experienced shortness of breath, headaches, body aches, a stuffy nose and other respiratory issues. Casie wasn’t concerned at first because she experienced similar symptoms with an autoimmune disease she had been diagnosed with. However, her symptoms continued to worsen.

“My symptoms just kept getting worse over time, and I couldn’t go into an urgent care clinic due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time,” Casie recalled. “I spent the next couple of weeks trying to go into the emergency room that had an eight-hour wait, and I was utterly exhausted.”

An unexplained diagnosis

In December 2022, Casie was hospitalized with respiratory failure. After discharge, she received outpatient therapy for almost a year, but her health continued to decline. In October 2023, she was admitted to Emory University Hospital for 36 days and was unable to walk or even eat on her own.

Casie was then discharged from Emory University Hospital to a subacute rehabilitation hospital for 23 days. After discharge, she received home health for a few months, but her care team recommended she go to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital where she could receive intensive therapy and the medical care she required.

“I had to regain my strength to be able to go to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. My home health therapists would try to stand me up and walk, but I was not making any progress. My doctors didn’t know what was going on, and I already had an autoimmune disease. I wanted to walk again,” Casie said.

Getting back to the activities that matter most

In March 2024, Casie came to AnMed Health rehabilitation hospital for recovery where she experienced a high level of compassionate care from her care team.

“When I came to AnMED Health Rehabilitation Hospital, I weighed 84 pounds, and two therapists had to carry me to the bed,” she said. “The care team went above and beyond to help me and rose to the challenge to make sure I was comfortable and ready to work.”

Jennifer Howland, director of therapy operations, said Casie needed a hospital level of care and intensive therapy to help her regain her highest level of independence.

“When Casie got to Encompass Health, she was very weak. I remember going into her room the next day and helping transfer her to the bed; she had no strength at all,” Jennifer said. “Looking ahead to what her goals were—it was a challenge. She was one of those patients who worked so hard. She even participated in additional therapy sessions, and we supported her willingness to get better.”

Becoming the bridesmaid

Casie’s goal during recovery was to regain her strength to walk. Her best friend was getting married, and she wanted to walk down the aisle as her bridesmaid.

With the help of her two therapists, Becca and Bryce, Casie began to recover her strength.

“My recovery goal was to walk down the aisle at my best friend’s wedding. My therapists didn’t go easy on me, and every day was a challenge,” she said. “I didn’t want to limp, experience pain while walking or have people wondering what happened to me. I wanted the attention to be on the bride.”

Her therapists found ways to mimic realistic environments and prepared garments to practice walking in a long dress.

“My therapists tied a sheet around my waist to appear as a gown and I had a bouquet to practice holding while I walked,” she said. “The most challenging part was walking without a limp or pain in my right heel or foot.”

Gaining newfound independence

After 32 days of intensive therapy, Casie regained the strength to walk down the aisle in her best friend’s wedding and was amazed at her ability to walk with no assistance.

“I would recommend Encompass Health to anyone in need of rehabilitation. My care team saved my life, and I built valuable friendships that I still hold dear,” she said. “You must be determined and ready to work for what you want.”

After reaching her goal of walking down the aisle for her friend’s wedding, Casie has set her sights on other goals. Currently, she participates in outpatient physical therapy twice a week and is waiting for the day she can get back to going on bike rides with her dog.