Former HealthSouth Valley of the Sun Patient to Inspire Current and Former Patients at Reunion
9/10/2014
GLENDALE, Ariz. – He has successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and completed 22 half-marathons and three full marathons…all with two prosthetic legs. Steve Martin, a 44-year-old former military policeman and former HealthSouth Valley of the Sun patient, will tell his inspiring story of overcoming his disability to current and former patients on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at a special rehabilitation reunion. The event will be held at the hospital, located at 13460 N. 67th Ave.
In 2008, Steve was working for the state department in Afghanistan when he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED). He broke his hips, one arm and nearly all of his ribs; his legs and feet were shattered. After doctors spent a year and a half battling to save his legs, Steve opted for a double amputation. He spent one year for outpatient therapy at HealthSouth Valley of the Sun learning to use his prosthetics and walk again. Even with two prosthetic legs, his zest for adventure and his determination doesn’t let his disability slow him down.
“Finding what motivates a patient is key to his or her overall success. For Steve it was learning to run again, so his therapy plan included meeting at a local community college five days a week to learn how,” says Lonnie Coughran, HealthSouth Valley of the Sun physical therapy assistant. “What Steve’s accomplished since then is truly amazing and inspiring to all of us at HealthSouth.”
For those who plan to attend, an RSVP is requested on or before Sept. 17 and may be directed to Gina Gardner at 623 334-5423. Lunch will be provided after the presentation.
About HealthSouth Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital
HealthSouth Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital is a 75-bed hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and home health rehabilitation services. These programs are designed to return patients to leading active and independent lives. Serving patients throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area and is located at 13460 N. 67th Ave. in Glendale and on the Web at healthsouthvalleyofthesun.com.
About HealthSouth
HealthSouth is the nation’s largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in terms of patients treated and discharged, revenues and number of hospitals. Operating in 28 states across the country and in Puerto Rico, HealthSouth serves patients through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation satellite clinics and home health agencies. HealthSouth’s hospitals provide a higher level of rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from conditions such as stroke and other neurological disorders, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, brain and spinal cord injuries, complex orthopedic conditions, and amputations. HealthSouth can be found on the Web at www.healthsouth.com.
Source: HealthSouth Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital