Former teacher gets back on her feet at Life Care Center of LaGrange

When leg pain led to a decrease in her mobility, Molly Sharp, a former preschool teacher, ended up being hospitalized and was told she needed rehabilitation.

"She was scared to make the transition to rehab because she didn't know what to expect and feared she would not be able to walk again," said Callie McDougald, business development director at Life Care Center of LaGrange, Indiana.

However, when Sharp arrived at Life Care Center of LaGrange on Oct. 6, 2017, things started looking up. She got a private suite and started working with physical and occupational therapists five days a week.

"She was determined to work hard and put her mind on getting better with the help and encouragement of the therapy team," said McDougald.

When Sharp got to the facility, she was not able to walk or get in and out of bed without the help of associates, and she was completely unable to care for herself. As time went on, though, she improved.

Physical and occupational therapists helped her with strength and mobility exercises, especially for her lower body, as well as retraining her how to take care of herself. They worked with the nursing team to manage her pain, often using electrical stimulation.

Along the way, the therapy team taught her family how to help take care of her and did a home assessment to make sure she was ready to go home.

On Jan. 12, 2018, Sharp returned home with her mother and adult nephew, able to walk and climb stairs with the help of a walker. She only needed supervision for her mobility and needed minimal assistance with her daily activities, such as grooming, bathing and getting dressed.

"They have a very good team," Sharp said about Life Care Center of LaGrange. "I would not be where I am today if it was not for them. I was scared when I came, but they worked with me and pushed me to be all that I could be, so I thank them from the bottom of my heart for all they have done for me."