Resident Marty Murphy thanks MapleCreek Rehabiliation staff

 

Five years ago it started with my knees. They were becoming painful and useless. Therapy was suggested, but I did not want any part of it. I could not see how exercise would help.  However, the MapleCreek therapists insisted that I give it a try. Sue, Breezy and Gina took over, and because of the therapy they applied, I was soon walking again. Thank you, girls!

 

Two years ago, I had a fall that resulted in a broken foot. I was told that if I wanted to walk again, I would need extensive therapy. To make matters worse, MapleCreek had no beds available and I was sent to another facility. I was unhappy, uncooperative, and developed the attitude that I was not going to do their therapy.

 

As we all know, Jesus looks after his children, and in due time a bed was available and I was returned to MapleCreek Lodge, 100 hall – the rehab section. But I still did not want anything to do with therapy.

 

I was bedridden. I was depressed. I was just ready to give it up. Then one day, I heard a voice in the all that called out, “Mom, Marty is in here!” They wheeled in my dear old friend, Myrt Moerdyke.

 

Myrt previously had seven joint replacements and all the therapy that goes with it. Now she was here after hip surgery, and to recover from a displaced hip. She wore a brace from her calf to her thigh for months – and she was at MapleCreek, for -- guess what? More therapy.

 

In the months that followed, I had to deal with some severe infections. I was hospitalized twice -- I even lost my mental capacities for a while. But Jesus had plans for me and I was finally returned to my room, bedridden but alert. I was stuck in bed; I had to have everything done for me.

 

But as I lay in bed, every day at 10 o’clock, I watched Myrt hobble past my door on her way to therapy. She was determined to toss the brace, strengthen her hip, and walk again – no matter how much therapy was involved.

 

So I said to myself, “If it works for her, I’m going to give it a try.”

 

Enter Gretchen, Sue, Breezy, and Jessica, who started working on my very weak muscles – and then Joel took charge. Wow! He said that if I worked hard and did what he said, he thought he could get me walking again. What a motivator he proved to be! With his encouragement, with his knowledge of therapy, and with the patience and persistence of the girls in the gym, I am now walking quite a distance with a walker. Not only that, they have taught me how to get in and out of bed, I can use the bathroom, and for the most part, life is looking up.

 

Thank you, Jesus, but also thank you to the therapists and the therapy program that made it happen.

 

Sincerely,

Marty Murphy

Resident – The Lodge at MapleCreek

January 2011

 

P.S. My thanks to Myrt Moerdyke for her assistance in putting this article together.