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 .

11/19/2025

With the busy holiday travel season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to share helpful tips about air travel for those with limited mobility. To learn more, follow along with Michael G. — who goes by Gio — for a special trip to the airport!

Gio came to us for intensive rehabilitation after experiencing a spinal cord injury, and he recently joined our recreational therapy team for a “community reintegration” visit to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Our airport trips, a collaboration with United Airlines, provide patients with limited mobility an opportunity to practice all aspects of air travel before transitioning home after rehabilitation — and to learn about accessibility in different environments.

During Gio’s visit to the airport, he gained real-world travel skills in a community setting — learning how to board and deplane; transfer from his wheelchair to an aisle chair; access his seat and the restroom; and navigate the airport security screening process.

Visit our blog to learn more about recreational therapy and our community reintegration offerings: bit.ly/4oPMGh3

11/13/2025

“We can keep going.”

Declan C. started coming to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as an outpatient after receiving an early diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) at 18 months old. Now, at age 7, he recently completed intensive inpatient rehabilitation after a life-changing surgery to address muscle spasticity caused by CP — and he continues in DayRehab to improve his mobility, function and independence.

Through it all, Declan’s curiosity and determination have continued to shine brightly.

Watch Declan reach his biggest milestone yet, and read his full patient story to learn what’s possible when science, hard work and hope come together: bit.ly/47Eh1cd

11/12/2025

For Diabetes Awareness Month this November, our expert exercise physiologists are sharing insights about how movement, strength and mindfulness are key for effective diabetes management.

Read our blog for more on the health benefits of yoga and exercise for people living with diabetes and learn about our diabetes and fitness education classes: bit.ly/4nS02YH

11/11/2025

Throughout her 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Molly experienced a series of spine injuries, and, due to progressive complications, she became partially paralyzed. Not only did these setbacks end her career; Molly also was told she would never be able to play sports again.

Then, Molly discovered Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s military sports camp — open to both veterans and active duty service members with a primary physical disability. The experience transformed her life as she learned to ride a recumbent bike and found camaraderie among fellow veterans and service members.

In honor of Veterans Day, read Molly’s full story to learn how military sports camp helped her rediscover fitness and find community: bit.ly/4oRKi9D

11/06/2025

“It’s all worth it because this is a new lease on life,” said Dean C.

After being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, 29-year-old musician Dean immediately began searching for solutions — soon discovering a novel path forward.

Dean traveled from his home in Syracuse, N.Y., to receive an extremely rare double-lung transplant at Northwestern Medicine through the Canning Thoracic Institute's DREAM Program for select patients with terminal lung cancer. Building on the success of the transplant, he then transitioned to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for rehabilitation.

For several weeks, Dean participated in intensive therapy and received specialized care to rebuild his lung strength and endurance, learn how to breathe efficiently again, and regain everyday skills which he had lost. Soon enough, he was strong enough to walk a quarter mile and climb more than 30 stairs — huge milestones toward independence.

Today, Dean is cancer-free, continues to recover in DayRehab at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and is back to playing guitar as he looks toward the future.

In recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, read Dean’s full story: bit.ly/47ZyQ5A

11/05/2025

Interested in opportunities to participate in spinal cord injury (SCI) research and learn about advancements in treatment? Join us for an informational open house on Friday, Nov. 14, from 1-4 pm to hear from researchers, patients and staff members.

This event is open to individuals with SCI, caregivers, family members, support persons, researchers and therapists. Learn more and sign up today: bit.ly/49AXlam

11/04/2025

On behalf of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, thank you for supporting SkyRise Chicago 2025! More than 2,140 participants climbed 105 stories to Skydeck Chicago Willis Tower, handcycled the distance or participated virtually — and, together, you helped us raise more than $1.2 million!

Thank you to our friends at Willis Tower -- and to all of our participants, volunteers and donors who made this happen. See you next year!

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab! Our expert occupational therapists offer five easy tips for making the holiday accessible and joyful for everyone — from offering trick-or-treat and decoration ideas to tips on planning welcoming Halloween parties.

Read our blog for more! bit.ly/3LeDsvP

👻🐈‍⬛💀🧛‍♀️🧟🧙‍♀️🦽

10/30/2025

As we recognize National Physical Therapy Month this October, we’re introducing you to 16-month-old Parker J., who demonstrates that it’s never too early to see the benefits of PT!

Parker was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 11 months. His parents brought him to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for a 12-day outpatient intensive to take advantage of early, specialized therapies while his brain was developing rapidly.

As a little guy with a big desire to get moving, Parker’s goal in PT was to learn to walk with a gait trainer. He quickly built tolerance for sitting in the gait trainer and practiced bearing weight on his feet, and his physical therapist helped him take initial steps on the treadmill while using a harness.

Soon enough, Parker was walking 20 feet in the gait trainer with assistance … and, eventually, started cruising around in therapy all on his own!

In addition to PT, Parker also benefited from swallow therapy and occupational therapy during his intensive. He continues to gain skills in early intervention and through outpatient therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

“Our goal is for Parker to be happy and independent, and to give him the ability to do things for himself,” said his mom, Kristen.

Visit our website to learn about physical therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: bit.ly/43rG2oD

10/29/2025

Are you ready for Skyrise Chicago 2025 this Sunday, Nov. 2?

For our monthly “Ask the Expert” series, we invited clinical manager Kyle Bisping, DPT, to answer your questions about SkyRise Chicago — our annual stair climb at the Willis Tower. In this Q&A, Kyle offers training tips and ways you can get involved!

Learn how you can support SkyRise Chicago at skyrisechicago.org.

10/28/2025

Each year more than 2,000 individuals participate in SkyRise Chicago, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s annual stair climb at the Willis Tower. And, for many participants, joining a climbing team helps them maintain motivation while they scale 105 flights to Skydeck Chicago!

Such is the case with Lilly F. She came to us for rehabilitation in 2023 after surgery for a benign brain tumor impacted her ability to walk and caused visual impairments. In the years since rehabilitation, Lilly has returned to running — participating in 5K and 8K races and training with a running club that supports people with impairments.

She is celebrating her continued recovery by participating in SkyRise on Nov. 2 for the third time. This year, she joined the Streeterville Crew team to fundraise and participate with her Shirley Ryan AbilityLab physical therapist, Juliana, who helped Lilly recover her mobility. Lilly participates in SkyRise to give back and show gratitude to her therapists.

“So lucky to be part of my third Skyrise! Were it not for the incredible team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, I wouldn’t be here today climbing. I’m proud to join the Streeterville squad to celebrate community, caring and the science that helps people reach their potential,” said Lilly. “Every climb reminds me to stay grateful, hopeful, and helpful — even in hard times.”

We’ll be cheering for Lilly, the Streeterville Crew and all of our climbers and handcyclists at SkyRise! Register today to join us: skyrisechicago.org

10/23/2025

How do you train for SkyRise Chicago, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s annual 105-flight stair climb at the Willis Tower?

Kari W. says it’s all about the mindset.

“I'm doing a lot of cross training for the whole body, with extra work on leg muscles, and I’m doing stair climbs at local parking garages when I get the chance! I often visualize myself getting to the top by pushing through even when it gets hard,” she said.

Kari is participating in SkyRise for the first time this year. She came to our Arlington Heights DayRehab Center for six months of physical, occupational and speech therapy after an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in 2024 caused a brain hemorrhage. As she recovered, she says Shirley Ryan AbilityLab became her “home away from home.”

Now, as she trains for SkyRise, Kari is setting new goals for herself and embracing new abilities: “I want to prove to myself and to those around me that I can not only survive, but thrive, after all that I've been through.”

Support Shirley Ryan AbilityLab patients like Kari by donating to SkyRise at skyrisechicago.org.

10/22/2025

At 14, Paityn C. suddenly became paralyzed and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). After 14 weeks of intensive inpatient rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, she continued her recovery in DayRehab to build upon her skills in physical and occupational therapy.

With her athletic background and mindset continuing to drive her, Paityn keeps crushing new milestones today!

*She turned 15 and now has her driver’s permit.
*She’s re-engaging in competitive volleyball, recently making the club team.
*She’s planning to give back to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab by participating in SkyRise Chicago, the hospital’s annual stair climb at Willis Tower, on Nov. 2!

Keep it up, Paityn! Read her full story on our blog: bit.ly/4hpqgjM

10/21/2025

Chicago Health Magazine recently featured Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Monica Rho, MD, in an article about protecting female athletes from unique injury risks. In the article, Dr. Rho reinforced the need for women in sports to balance nutrition and energy to reduce the risk of bone stress injuries, hormonal fluctuations and unhealthy weight loss.

Visit our blog for the full article: bit.ly/3JijvU3

Address

355 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL
60611

Telephone

+13122381000

Website

https://www.sralab.org/

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