Renewing the Spirit of Life Mary Botte, mother of three and a PTA president, experienced a life-changing event when doctors discovered an aneurysm in her brain. Mary spent one month in the hospital, most of that time with Sharp Rehabilitation Services. During her rehabilitation, physicians and clinical staff worked with Mary to give her the skills she needed to regain her ability to walk, speak and achieve her highest level of function. The caring professionals at Sharp Rehabilitation Services are dedicated to helping people like Mary improve their quality of life. No other program in San Diego offers such a large range of clinical services, state-of-the-art technology and community outreach programs for brain-injury patients and their loved ones. The Journey Begins The rehabilitation process begins during your hospital stay, typically in a facility or unit that focuses primarily on rehabilitation. An experienced rehabilitation team, consisting of physicians, nurses, therapists, case managers, physiatrists and neuropsychologists, performs a comprehensive assessment. The rehabilitation team, along with you and your loved ones, will then design an individual care plan and set attainable goals to best meet your physical, therapeutic, social and psychological needs. Your rehabilitation program and length of stay in the rehabilitation center will depend on your individual needs and your response to treatment. Family and Caregiver Services The staff at Sharp Rehabilitation Services recognizes the special needs of you, your loved ones and your caregivers. A case manager will help you understand insurance benefits and other resources available through public and private agencies. Social workers are also available to help with the stresses placed upon loved ones as they adapt to the recovery process and prepare for your return home. Sharp offers educational programs and support groups, including: • Head Coach: A peer support and mentoring group for brain-injury patients and loved ones Today, Mary Botte has returned to many of her previous activities, and volunteers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital Rehabilitation Center. She is an inspiration to others and provides encouragement to patients following the road to recovery that she once traveled. • The Ambassadors Club: Former brain-injury patients and loved ones are paired with current patients to assist with understanding the caregiver’s role, stress management and the needs of caregivers Sharp provides support through a full range of services and programs, including: • Outpatient Therapy: Physical, occupational and speech therapy • Day Treatment: Comprehensive services to address an individual’s physical, cognitive, social and behavioral needs • Community Re-entry: An outpatient day program providing therapy in settings where patients need it most — clinic, home, community, school and work Sharp Rehabilitation also offers support groups and other social and recreational activities for you and your loved ones. No other San Diego rehabilitation provider offers this level of community-based support. Looking to the Future Each individual who experiences a brain injury is unique and has a different way of recognizing and compensating for his or her symptoms. Your recovery depends not only on getting the appropriate treatment, but ensuring that you have good support systems in place so that your recovery can continue once you return home. Some individuals improve to the point that they see little impact on their day-to-day lives. Others may experience long-term effects. Since 1964, Sharp Rehabilitation has provided rehabilitation services for more than 1,500 brain-injury patients.
