Amanda's Story
Jan 1, 2020Amanda often rode her bike to work. But on July 25, 2017, she never made it in. She was run over by a double trailer gravel hauler.
“I was taken to DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital where they did surgery to save my life and begin to put me back together. I had shattered bones, detached muscles, and lacerated veins. I was a mess. Eventually I needed skin grafts, pins and rods.”
After two months, Amanda was transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM).
“It was September. I had only gotten out of bed three times since my accident. A week into my therapy, I showered for the first time. After that, I knew RIM was my bridge back to real life.”
Because Amanda was healing from her surgeries, it was unclear how much of her mobility would return. But that didn’t stop her or her therapists who worked on getting her into a wheelchair and then walking. They also worked on her strength, so she could go home and be more independent.
“Between inpatient and outpatient rehab, I really progressed. A few months after I walked with crutches, they got me on a tricycle. I was so excited. I knew I would be able to get back on a bike one day and in June 2019, I did.”
Amanda says she loves how everyone works as a team at RIM. She says the therapists are amazing. She signed up to run a half marathon, and one of her trainers was right by her side.
“I felt so confident with my therapist running with me. While it was a pretty lofty goal to even do the race, his encouragement on the course was equal to what it is during rehab. Always telling me to go the distance, I crossed that finish line.”