Occupational Therapy Patient Stories

Read the stories of some of our occupational therapy patients.

George: Occupational Therapy

After a mild heart attack and stroke, George was unable to live his life like he used to because it was hard for him to move around. It was recommended that he begin outpatient physical therapy with UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. With help from UPMC, George is now on his way to living a healthier life.

Read George's story

Lois Rodman: Macular Degeneration

Lois Rodman, 66, was helping her granddaughter, Lily, with her math homework when suddenly she couldn’t make out what was written in the textbook. She looked at Lily and realized she wasn’t able to see the details of her face.

Read Lois Rodman's story

Diane: Occupational Therapy

When Diane was preparing for her New Year’s activities, the last thing she was thinking about was occupational therapy. But when walking up the stairs to her house, she slipped and fell, landing awkwardly on her left arm.

Read Diane's story

Adeline: Occupational Therapy

After a bad fall resulted in two broken wrists that required surgery, Adeline, 75, found herself at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute in Oakland. She was referred there by her surgeon who recommended she have extensive hand, arm, and shoulder therapy. Adeline was confident in her rehab because both her husband and granddaughter had positive experiences at UPMC.

Read Adeline's story

Kathy: Occupational Therapy

When Kathy fell last October and fractured her humerus bone, the long bone between the shoulder and the elbow, she tried to keep her positive outlook. Kathy figured she would be back to normal within six to eight weeks but was shocked when her hand swelled to twice its normal size and remained that way. It was then that her orthopaedic surgeon referred her to occupational therapy at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.

Read Kathy's story

Dan: Occupational Therapy

Dan is a man on the move. With his work regularly taking him as far away as Hawaii, occupational therapy isn’t something that fits easily into his busy schedule. But when he severed tendons in his left index finger while trying to open a package with a knife, he found himself under the care of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute team at the Hand Clinic in Oakland.

Read Dan's story