Life Care Center Of Hixson Helps Woman Walk Again

  • Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Sharon Lewis is returning home able to walk after a remarkable recovery at Life Care Center of Hixson, according to officials.

Ms. Lewis became ill from streptococcus pneumoniae, and the disease caused her immune system to weaken dramatically. She developed an infection called sepsis, which occurs when chemicals are released into the bloodstream to fight an infection and triggers an inflammatory response throughout the body. 

She spent some time at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, and before she could return home, she needed to undergo rehabilitation.

Ms. Lewis came to Life Care Center of Hixson on Aug. 6 for physical and occupational therapies to help her regain strength. When she arrived, she needed help with most basic self-care tasks and could not sit up longer than 10 minutes. She required maximum assistance for all transfers, such as transferring from her wheelchair to her bed, and was unable to stand or walk. 

“She was very motivated and worked very hard to achieve her success,” said Jill Schoolfield, physical therapist assistant.

Ms. Lewis met with physical therapists six days a week and occupational therapists five days a week to work on strengthening and therapeutic exercises. She used the NuStep recumbent cross-trainer to exercise and rebuild endurance and strength in her upper and lower body and the OmniCycle, a bicycle-like machine that “senses” varying levels of patient participation and provides powered assistance when needed. Through that she was able to retrain her muscles to do the everyday motions needed for standing, sitting, walking and self-care tasks, officials said.

“I came unable to stand or walk,” said Ms. Lewis. “The first day of therapy, I stood. The fourth day, I walked 60 feet.”

Ms. Lewis was able to return home on Aug. 26.

“She was willing to try new things and gave 100 percent every day, all while maintaining a positive attitude,” said Priscilla Clemons, occupational therapist.

For more information about Life Care Center of Hixson, call 423-842-0049. Life Care Center of Hixson, located at 5798 Hixson Home Place.

Latest Headlines
Living Well
Wright Brothers Construction And Beaty Fabricating To Sponsor 65 Roses Race
Wright Brothers Construction And Beaty Fabricating To Sponsor 65 Roses Race
  • 3/18/2024

The 3.1-mile walk and 65 Roses 5K race to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. Beaty Fabricating Inc. and Wright Brothers Construction will each serve ... more

Erlanger Neurology Receives $75,000 From ALS Association
Erlanger Neurology Receives $75,000 From ALS Association
  • 3/18/2024

Erlanger Neurology was presented with a $75,000 check from the ALS Association on Feb. 20. Officials said, "ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative ... more

Sivick Honored With GCCMA Community Program Award
Sivick Honored With GCCMA Community Program Award
  • 3/14/2024

Whitfield County Administrator Robert (Bob) Sivick was honored at the Georgia City-County Management Association Spring Conference last Wednesday with the 2024 Community Program Award for his ... more