Jaunita's Story
Nov 10, 2022“I’m 91 years old. I’m still active, and I owe it to the wonderful therapists
at RIM”- Jaunita Lemons
“My doctor said I had poor circulation and a blood clot. I was surprised because I was so active. He put me on medication to improve my circulation.”

“The doctor told me my only chance for relief was to amputate my leg below my knee. I had to accept it and make the best of it.”
Jaunita spent a month at Harper, where she worked with acute care rehab therapists from
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM). While in a wheelchair, therapists worked to teach her how to balance and move with one leg.
“Everyone was so encouraging. I attended an RIM class for amputees. I met a woman with no arms or legs and was using all prosthetics, and she was happy. I knew I could be too.”
Once released, Jaunita continued with outpatient physical therapy at RIM. In 2014, she got a prosthetic leg and foot and continued rehab. She quickly moved from a walker to a cane and now doesn’t use any assistive device.
“I’m 91 years old. I’m so proud of my progress and what I can do. I’m still active, and I owe it to the wonderful therapists at RIM. I tell them all the time to just turn my age numbers around to 19, because they’ve made me as good as a recycled teenager.”