RENEWING THE SPIRIT OF LIFE When Daniel Doll shielded a young girl from a falling billboard, he severed his spinal cord and was paralyzed from the waist down. His life changed dramatically. The caring professionals at Sharp Rehabilitation Services work each day to provide people like Daniel with the knowledge, strength and skills they will need to achieve their highest level of function. Each year, Sharp Rehabilitation cares for more spinal cord injury patients than any other provider in San Diego County. Our program provides state-of-the-art technologies and clinical expertise that allow people like Daniel to realize that life after a spinal cord injury can be joyous and productive. Sharp offers more community-based support than any other rehabilitation provider in San Diego. Today, Daniel Doll is living a fuller life, with a new outlook and new priorities. He credits Sharp Rehabilitation Services and its “system of care” with teaching him what he needed to learn, and giving him the support and tools he needed to reach his full potential. As Daniel says, “Sharp gave me my life back.” THE JOURNEY BEGINS The first step in spinal cord injury rehabilitation is admission to an acute rehabilitation program. At Sharp Rehabilitation, you will undergo an extensive assessment by a team of health care professionals, all experts in spinal cord injury treatment. Led by a board-certified rehabilitation physician, your team includes therapists, rehabilitation nurses, social workers, case managers and neuro psychologists who will evaluate your physical, psychological, social and therapeutic needs, and design an individualized care plan. At the center of this team is you and your family. Your hard work and involvement go hand- in-hand with the therapy to maximize your return to independence. During your inpatient stay, you will learn to care for a body that now works differently. You will also learn how to maintain a high level of health, achieve your optimal level of function and reintegrate into the community. LEADING THE WAY WITH TECHNOLOGY Sharp is the leader in bringing state-of-the-art technology to spinal cord injury patients in San Diego. From the latest in bodyweight-supported gait training to high-tech wheelchairs, Sharp combines the best in innovative technology and traditional therapy. When customized adaptive tools are needed, Sharp offers on-site rehabilitation engineering. Sharp also participates in scientific and clinical research that brings new hope to the future of spinal cord injury patients. HELP CONTINUES After leaving the inpatient facility, Sharp continues to help you by offering a full range of services and community integration programs. These include: outpatient therapy services, adapted sports programs, adapted driving programs, a spinal cord injury fertility program, follow-up nursing clinics and community re-entry services, and a peer support advisor program. Additional support groups and other social and recreational activities are available through Sharp Rehabilitation Services. No other rehabilitation provider in San Diego offers this level of community-based support. FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SERVICES At Sharp Rehabilitation, we recognize the special needs of our families and caregivers. A case manager will be assigned to help your family and caregivers understand and obtain information on insurance coverage and other benefits available from public and private sources. Social workers are also available to help you and your family cope with the injury and prepare for your return home. Specially designed educational programs are also available to help your family and caregivers, including: Spinal Cord Education – a series of eight education modules to help patients, families and caregivers better understand spinal cord injuries. Ambassadors Club – former spinal-cord injury patients and family members are paired with current patients to help new patients better understand the transition process, stress management and the role and needs of caregivers. Challenged Women’s-Only Support Initiative and Men’s-Only Spinal Cord Support Group – bringing together men and women of all ages to address common concerns and build friendships.