Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is Advancing Ability for thousands of adults and children around the globe.
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Welcome to the New RIC On March 25, 2017 the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago became the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. More than just a change of address, this shift enables our continued mission .

03/13/2026

Tuning in to cheer on Team USA sled hockey during the Paralympics semifinals? Here's a primer on sled hockey from the adaptive sports and fitness team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab!

Did you know ...

🏒 Sled hockey is a fast-paced, full-contact sport that uses specialized equipment so athletes with a primary physical impairment can participate.

🛷 The sport promotes connection, interaction and camaraderie — and allows athletes to realize their physical potential.

🥅 Our team, the Chicago Freeze, is supported by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.

❄ Up-and-coming athletes can build new skills, and our competitive team gives advanced athletes a way to face off in league and tournament play.

🏅Over the years, several of our elite sled hockey athletes have gone on to compete in the Paralympics! This time, we’re cheering on Kevin McKee, Brody Roybal, Travis Dodson and all of USA Hockey in Milan!

Learn more about adaptive sports at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, home to Chicago’s largest and most comprehensive program of its kind: bit.ly/4uIHZJl

03/11/2026

Erica M. was born with sacral agenesis — a congenital disorder in which the lower spine and parts of the legs do not fully develop. However, her condition never kept her from being active. Today, Erica is a true pioneer in adaptive sports!

🏒 She discovered sled hockey at age 9.

🥅 She made Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s sled hockey team at age 18 as the only female player and eventual team captain.

🙌 She founded the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team and has become an advocate for equity in the sport.

🏅 And, in 2025, after two decades of hard work, she won gold at the first-ever World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship!

Erica credits Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s adaptive sports programs for making it possible. “These programs change lives,” she said.

Read Erica’s story on our blog as we continue to celebrate athletes of all abilities! bit.ly/3P1FS2J

03/10/2026

Calling all experienced and newly graduated allied health professionals! We're hiring physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists.

Join us for a special hiring event on Thursday, April 2, from 4:30-6:30 pm. You'll take a tour of our state-of-the-art hospital, meet with staff and hiring managers, and learn more about exciting careers at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Register today: bit.ly/40j3emZ

03/07/2026

Three-time Paralympian Rico Roman stopped by our Pediatric Innovation Center to get our young patients hyped for NBC Olympics & Paralympics sled hockey! During his visit, the kids learned about adaptive sports, checked out Rico’s gold medal and got to hold the torch! One of our patients even took a few shots in a sled hockey bucket.

Rico’s leg was amputated following a combat-related injury in 2007. During his rehabilitation after experiencing limb loss, he discovered sled hockey and went on to play for Team USA in the Paralympics, winning gold in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Thanks for visiting, Rico, and sharing how adaptive sports can inspire hope and healing! Learn more about adaptive sports at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: bit.ly/4rVeQbV

03/06/2026

On behalf of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and our Associate Board, thanks to all who supported Art in Motion 2026!

Whether you joined us in the gallery, participated virtually, purchased patient artwork or simply came to experience the evening — your engagement mattered. Art in Motion celebrates creativity as a powerful part of rehabilitation, and, thanks to your generosity and enthusiasm, we can continue to provide art therapy and other quality-of-life programs to our patients throughout their journeys.

Missed the event but still want to support Shirley Ryan AbilityLab? It’s not too late to donate: sralab.org/artinmotion

03/05/2026

In recognition of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month we're reintroducing you to one of our young patients, Hayden!

Hayden has cerebral palsy (CP) — and, at age 4, she’s already reaching for the stars! She has been coming to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for outpatient rehabilitation since 2022 to address impairments stemming from CP.

Over the years, Hayden has developed strength and gained self-confidence as she grows. She continues to make great progress — now, she can crawl up and down the stairs independently; walk assisted using one crutch; use her left hand to draw letters and pictures; and use scissors for art projects. She is taking swimming lessons, enjoys preschool and has made lots of friends. Plus, she’s a great big sister and cheers on the Loyola Ramblers Men's Basketball where her dad, Drew, is the head coach!

Learn about our CP Center of Excellence and how Shirley Ryan AbilityLab treats patients like Hayden: bit.ly/4aQnZLm

02/28/2026

The last day of February marks and, in recognition, we’re celebrating the wonderful progress Beckett W., age 5, has made in both inpatient rehabilitation and DayRehab while living with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) — a rare and very serious disease that results in a disturbance of brain function, often following a viral infection.

Beckett has come to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab twice following acute-care hospitalization and impairments stemming from ANE, including loss of physical function, speech, and gross and fine motor skills. Fortunately, he’s made great gains thanks to intensive therapy and his supportive family.

“We want Beckett to know how loved he is. We are so proud of Beckett’s progress and can’t wait to see how far he will go,” said his mom, Christine.

Beckett’s journey highlights how pediatric rehabilitation can help children with rare diseases build skills, strength and endurance after experiencing significant setbacks due to illness. Read his full story: bit.ly/46QDGBp

02/26/2026

👀Sneak peek: Art installation is underway for Art in Motion 2026!

It's not too late to get your ticket! Join us tomorrow night at our hospital and bid on one of the 168 original pieces of art on display, created by our 26 patient artists.

Thank you to our Art Expert Sponsors, including Anonymous, the Dolan Family Foundation, Michuda Construction and the Nommensen Family.

sralab.org/artinmotion

02/25/2026

“If I have the ability to change my outcome, why not?”

This is the mindset that fueled Michael G. — who goes by Gio — during rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after experiencing a spinal cord injury.

With intensive therapy, the support of his care team and family, and his own unwavering determination, Gio has achieved major milestones during his recovery journey:

🌇 Climbed 105 flights of stairs at the Willis Tower for SkyRise Chicago 2025.
👨‍⚕️ Returned to his career as an ophthalmologist, including performing surgery once again.
✈️ Took a much-anticipated family vacation to Orlando, Fla., after gaining air travel skills through our recreational therapy team’s “community reintegration” outing to the airport.

Read Gio’s full story to learn how he has continued to push forward through his recovery.

bit.ly/4cTEhFU

02/23/2026

Today’s curiosity may lead to tomorrow’s career — that was the inspiration behind our second annual healthcare career fair at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab! We recently welcomed more than 110 high school and college students, as well as parents and guardians, to a special event designed to spark an interest in healthcare and to give students an inside look at the many career paths within rehabilitation medicine.

Enjoy photos from the expo and explore careers at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: bit.ly/4cG6WhF

02/17/2026

The Art in Motion online gallery is now LIVE! Take a peek at the patient artwork that will be available via silent auction Art in Motion on Feb. 27.

This year, we're featuring 168 art pieces from 26 incredible patient artists -- in a remarkable range of mediums including framed paintings, stained glass, jewelry and even hand-painted sneakers. Proceeds benefit our art therapy and therapeutic recreation programs as well as the artists themselves.

Thank you to our Art Curator Sponsor the Wilshire Charitable Foundation.

Browse the artwork, get your tickets to Art in Motion and start planning your bids now! sralab.org/artinmotion

02/14/2026

Valentine's Day fun? We LOVE to see it! Our pediatric patients recently enjoyed a special celebration complete with a dance party, games, and activities such as making Valentine's Day cookies and jewelry boxes. 🧡💖💓🫶

Learn more about pediatric rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: bit.ly/3Nsk8ZE

02/12/2026

Get your tickets for Art in Motion on Feb. 27 featuring artwork created by patient artists like Avah W., available for sale via silent auction.

Avah, a sophomore in high school, came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab due to rapid neuromotor regression and Parkinsonism, which caused difficulty with walking, eating and using her assistive communication device. She is non-speaking and benefited from art therapy to help express herself.

Learn why art is Avah’s lifeline and join us for Art in Motion on Feb. 27. Proceeds benefit our art therapy and therapeutic recreation programs, as well as our patient artists!

sralab.org/artinmotion

02/10/2026

Samra, age 11, has always been an avid reader. One of her favorite activities is to visit her local public library to check out stacks of books. However, she started experiencing functional vision loss and, for two years, her vision came and went in ways she could not control. She lost her ability to read clearly — making it challenging to work on class assignments, take tests and read the books she so enjoys.

Ultimately, Samra was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) and came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for outpatient occupational therapy (OT). Here, she discovered strategies to improve her vision — enabling her to get back to her active life, back to books and back to the library!

Read Samra’s story, including her personal reflections and advice for other kids facing similar challenges: bit.ly/4clnoUq

02/05/2026

Don’t miss Art in Motion on Feb. 27! Attend in person to take home amazing artwork created by patient artists like Kyle C.

Kyle came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after a brainstem stroke left him with locked-in syndrome. Though his cognitive abilities were completely intact, he couldn’t speak or move. Through inpatient care and DayRehab, Kyle regained the ability to walk, talk and use his hands — and art therapy provided him with the space to process his new way of life.

Watch Kyle behind the scenes in the studio where he creates stained glass projects and join us at Art in Motion to bid on his art. Get your tickets now at sralab.org/artinmotion!

02/02/2026

❄️ The cold never bothered us anyway! ❄️ When Chicago schools recently closed due to extreme weather conditions, our amazing quality-of-life program teams — and two service dogs — stepped up and hosted a free childcare pop-up for our employees’ kids. The day was full of fun and big smiles. Learn more about how we support our team members at sralab.org/careers.

01/29/2026

Join us on Feb. 27 for Art in Motion — Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s annual fundraiser benefiting our art therapy and therapeutic recreation programs, as well as our patient artists like Jacqui M.

Jacqui came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for physical therapy after knee and leg injuries caused by falling. She learned to rebalance while walking so she could continue daily activities she loves — including her No. 1 activity, painting! Jacqui’s eclectic artwork will be available via silent auction at Art in Motion.

Check out Jacqui’s creative space where she works on her masterpieces and hear why she’s excited about Art in Motion. Get your tickets now at sralab.org/artinmotion!

Address

355 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Telephone

+13122381000

Website

https://www.sralab.org/

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