Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Therapy is essential

Jerry Walker is a worker.

He volunteers his time at the Air Force museum at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, the West Liberty Post of the American Legion, Many Churches Serving One God community meal in West Liberty at Christmas and is a Sunday school teacher at South Union Mennonite Church.

In mid-December, the U.S. Coast Guard retiree was clearing up the last batch of fallen leaves in his yard when he slipped on a patch of ice that caused him to break his left upper femur.


Luckily, he had his cell phone and called his wife for two things …“Call your brother to ask him to come down and clean up the rest of the leaves and then call the squad to take me to the hospital – I just fell on the ice and I hurt a little bit.”


He was taken to Mary Rutan Hospital where he underwent surgery performed by Dr. Steven Haman of Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio in Lima.


“He’s a craftsman. He did a beautiful job to allow me to bear weight on that leg again. He knows what he is doing,” said Mr. Walker.


After a lot of hard work doing intensive physical and occupational therapy, Mr. Walker is back home.


“I was transported to Green Hills on a gurney. About a month later, I’m capable of walking with some assistance,” he said, happy with the progress he has made.


 “Therapy is most essential to healing. You have to come in with an open mind, be willing to do the work, do what you are told to recover quicker and go home.


“Without therapy I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.


Following some additional therapy to help with his transition back home, he looks forward to helping his wife around the house and his volunteer work.


“I’m not done helping people,” he said.