After 9 months of specialized rehabilitation nursing care and physical, respiratory, occupational, speech, and recreational therapy at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit, Bethlehem, Pa, Wes Schlauch, 17, was discharged to home on December 23.
(Photo courtesy of Good Shepherd.)

Wes Schlauch of Breinigsville, Pa, a vibrant and popular 17-year-old varsity all-star hockey player suffered a severe stroke that left him almost completely paralyzed and unable to communicate. He depended on a ventilator to assist his breathing, and he received nutrition through tubes.

After 9 months of specialized rehabilitation nursing care and physical, respiratory, occupational, speech, and recreational therapy at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit, Bethlehem, Pa, Schlauch was discharged to home on December 23. A celebration was held with his family, friends, and Good Shepherd caregivers.

Prior to the stroke that immobilized both sides of his body, Schlauch was a hard-hitting ice hockey fan who played for the Hill School in Montgomery County, Pa.

Pediatric stroke is not common; for children through age 18, roughly one in 9,000 has a stroke every year. When Schlauch arrived at the Good Shepherd Pediatric Unit last winter, he could not speak, eat, or walk. His breathing was assisted by a ventilator. He had double vision.

“Given his initial condition and prognosis, Wes was admitted to the Good Shepherd Pediatric Unit mainly with a goal of training his family to attend to his complex medical needs at home,” says Rosauro Dalope, MD, attending physician, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit. “With our pediatric team’s multidisciplinary and family-centered care–and with Wes’s hard work and extended family support–he beat all the odds and pulled off an unbelievable recovery.”

The Pediatric Unit’s caregivers and therapists worked in coordination with physician specialists to slowly help Schlauch regain function. Schlauch is walking, talking, and becoming stronger every day. He can fist pump his friends. He resumed his high school studies. He plays air hockey and Wii fitness, and even arm wrestles with his sister.

Schlauch’s rehabilitation will continue with outpatient therapy.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit provides comprehensive rehabilitation for newborns to young adults up to age 18 who have an injury or illness, including neurologic, orthopedic, developmental, and cardiopulmonary problems. Care at the 16-bed Pediatric Unit in Bethlehem addresses impairments in cognition, mobility, self care, feeding, communication, social-emotional function, sensory processing, and academic function.

[Source: [removed]Good Shepherd[/removed]]