Abraham’s life changed in a flash in August 2021. While driving home, he was hit at high speed by a driver who ran a red light. He spent the next 20 days at Stroger Hospital in a coma, on a trach with extensive brain trauma, including diffuse axonal injury and a broken pelvis. Abraham experienced many challenges in the hospital, such as developing pneumonia and sepsis, but his wife Joyce never left his side. “I would break down and cry. I told the staff – please don’t give up on him. He’s in there, and he hears us. As you can see, they didn’t. When he moved a finger for the first time, it was the greatest feeling in the world!” When it was time for Abraham to leave Stroger Hospital and begin his rehabilitation in early October, Joyce chose Warren Barr South Loop. Not only because they accepted their insurance but because she was impressed with the level of therapy Abraham would receive and the generous visiting hours for compassionate care. “I don’t care if Warren Barr South Loop is farther for us; it’s what is best for Abraham,” Joyce stated. “Warren Barr South Loop has been incredible,” Joyce continued. “Abraham would not be where he is today without the help he has received from your staff. I want to commend Drew (physical therapist), Erica (occupational therapist), Gloria (speech therapist), as well as your nurses, who assisted us with scheduling neurology, ENT, and x-ray appointments. When our family visits, they always say that Rosietta (CNA) and Chakita (activity aide) are also accommodating.” Joyce remembers the day she had to retrieve Abrahams’s belongings and saw the extent of the damage to the car he was driving. “There is no way he should be alive right now. I was in tears. I could have lost him that day. Everyone keeps telling me how lucky we are, even though our lives will never be the same. I used to cry when leaving work because I remember how Abraham would text me, “When are you out, what do you want to eat, or what do you want to do tonight?” I would sit in my car and sob. Because of the Warren Barr South Loop staff, he can text me again! I feel like we are getting some of the normal things back. Immediately after his accident, he couldn’t do anything, and now he calls me and asks, “what are you doing?” As Abrahams’ rehabilitation continues at Warren Barr South Loop, Joyce enjoys the “little” victories. “When something devastating happens to you, it is life-changing, and no one can imagine what you are going through. It’s heartbreaking to see the person you love in a coma, unresponsive, but I never lost faith. Look how far he has come! It started with the wiggle of a finger, and now, because of the fantastic care he has received at Warren Barr South Loop, that finger can call me, FaceTime me, and text me. My niece was talking with Stroger Hospital just the other day, and they remarked that they have never seen this much progress at this stage of rehabilitation. I am so grateful for the team at Warren Barr South Loop.
“I love my husband Abraham, and I would do anything to make him comfortable,” says Joyce. “The staff at Warren Barr South Loop make him comfortable, and I recommend them to anyone who needs rehabilitation after a devastating accident.”