I am really late in recognizing the caliber of employee and the care that I received from everyone…read moreat this clinic after my shoulder surgery. When one suffers any kind of injury, and its concomitant loss of the ability to engage in normal day-to-day activities, it takes both a physical and psychological toll. We go through our lives with the presumption that tomorrow will be just like today, and when there is a breakdown in that pattern, we have to entrust strangers to the task of helping us repair the damage and to return to our lives. I consider myself incredibly lucky that the staff of Sports and Spine Orthopedics was recommended to me for this purpose.
After my surgery, my doctor informed me that not all therapists are created equal. Sadly, many places simply throw an ice pack on your injury, give you a couple exercises to do, and send you on your way. This almost guarantees your injury will never heal correctly, and your lifetime mobility will almost certainly be impacted. From day one, my therapist, Dr. Joy Puente, pushed me and ensured that although the process wasn't a physically pleasant one, it was necessary and she made me feel very comfortable pushing my body where it needed to go.
She was not just an incredible therapist, but she always maintained a strong sense of oversight over all of the events occurring on the floor. Even though she might be working with me, she was constantly aware of other patients, and other employees. She provided guidance, and ensured that others were given gentle correction if an exercise was off or being done incorrectly by a patient. It's the little things that separate the average from the superb. She is a wonderful leader, therapist, and person.
I'd like to acknowledge some of the other employees as well. Ashlee was the first face I would generally see upon arriving for my appointments. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. One day I heard her recounting a story for a client who pointed out her bubbly personality. She told him that her mother had told her, "Nobody who comes to a hospital wants to see a frown on an employee," or words to that effect. It is words of wisdom such as this from our parents that set us out on our path into this world to become valuable employees, friends, and civic minded citizens. She's a wonderful young lady. The world needs more smiles and kind words for those in need of them.
Big shout out to Marco, Diego, and Katherine (Catherine, Kathryn?). Each of these employees helped me on numerous occasions, even though the floor was busy, they painstakingly and caringly helped me with my exercises, and made sure I wasn't cheating. As our coaches once taught us, when we cheat, we're only cheating ourselves. God bless each of them for their kindness and care.
In short, I was given excellent attention and, in a small way, wished that my sessions did not come to an end. These therapists are often tasked with working with some difficult clients, and they also have to listen to some very personal life stories. Part of their job, although certainly not in their job description, is to provide some "pastoral care," to these men and women, many of whom are elderly. The care they give is an excellent manifestation of the corporal works of mercy which we are called to provide to our fellow brothers and sisters.
If you're still reading, I hope that this review has properly acknowledged and lauded those who helped me get back into the gym and back to work. My shoulder is back to its full range of movement, and I'm even "pre-habilitating" my other one. I wish all of the employees at this office the best and may each of you who read this who are recovering from surgery be returned to your former active lifestyles.
