Dana Withrow's story

For over a year, Dana Withrow struggled with the lingering effects of a car accident.

He had multiple broken bones, and while recovering, he contracted a flesh-eating virus. Then, a fall left him with a broken vertebrae. He was unable to walk, and instead relied on a motorized scooter.

A year and a half after that car accident, Dana’s health continued to deteriorate. He had multiple comorbidities including congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, COPD and degenerative spine disease.

When he was admitted to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson, he was on 6L of oxygen and required round-the-clock nursing care. His goals focused on pain management, since Dana was sure he would never walk again.

“I was very depressed,” he recalled. “I didn’t care about getting better; I felt hopeless, but my therapists and the staff have been on point with everything.”

Though Dana was ready to give up, his care team at Encompass Health Henderson wasn’t. To help him reach his highest level of independence, his therapists focused on activities to build his strength and activity tolerance.

“Dana is a fun loving spirit, so we often ventured outside of the box of traditional exercising and played games and activities that challenged his endurance and physical abilities,” said Karmela, his occupational therapist.

Dana was at Encompass Health Henderson for 43 days. When he left the rehabilitation hospital he was on 4L of oxygen, almost half of what he was on when he arrived, and was walking daily in therapy. He was also able to complete almost all of his activities of daily living without assistance.

“When I got here, I didn’t think anyone could help me, and it was the end of the road,” he said. “Rehabilitation turned that road into a rainbow and pot of gold.”