01/07/2026
Michael arrived at Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital on November 28 after experiencing complex bilateral strokes. Following his initial hospitalization in Hershey and a stay at a long‑term acute care facility in York, he came to LRH facing significant challenges. He required two-person assistance for all care, depended on a mechanical lift for transfers, was unable to communicate, and could not safely eat by mouth.
From the moment he began his rehabilitation journey, Michael committed himself to physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Day after day, he worked hard to rebuild his communication, improve his swallowing safety, regain mobility, and restore independence in self-care.
After 53 long days post-strokes, he was finally able to tell his wife "I love you" and "I've been waiting for months for that." From then on, Michael’s personality began shining through, even sharing one‑liners with his therapy team.
By the time he completed his intensive rehabilitation at LRH, Michael was safely eating a regular diet and participating in daily activities with far less assistance. He and his wife, Sherry, are deeply grateful to the LRH team who, in their words, “never gave up on him.” Now, they’re looking forward to spending 2026 at home together, surrounded by family.
