Larosina's Recovery Story  

At the age of 36, Larosina was admitted to the Rehabilitation Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) in 2022 after an unknown factor triggered an immune response causing incomplete paralysis of both legs. It was an uncertain time for Larosina since the inability to walk came on suddenly after a fever.

Larosina was originally admitted through the Emergency Department of SCVMC. With no significant medical history, the physicians started investigating the possible causes of Larosina’ s sudden onset of paralysis in her legs. After many tests, the team treated her with high dose steroids, plasma exchange, and Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) and were able to stabilize her medically. She started feeling better and was accepted to the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Unit.

When Larosina first arrived at the Rehabilitation Center, she was unable to sit up by herself, transfer out of bed, or walk. The Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Team taught her how to transfer using a slide board, move around using a manual wheelchair, and other strategies to function. In physical therapy, Larosina remembers using the Exoskeleton to help her start walking again. It felt great to be upright and have her legs support her body weight. The Exoskeleton is a motorized bracing system, used with the assistance of a physical therapist, that helped her propel her own legs and start walking again. In occupational therapy, Larosina learned to use a tub bench to shower and how to navigate her personal care needs.

Dr. James Crew, one of Larosina’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians shared, “Larosina demonstrated gradual neurological recovery during her inpatient rehabilitation stay, which helped her progress in her functional independence before discharging home.  Fortunately, there are medical treatments for certain types of neuroimmunologic disorders now, which positively impacted Larosina’s overall improvement along with intensive rehabilitation.”

Before the paralysis, Larosina enjoyed traveling and exploring new places. She loved outdoor activities like hiking and would take her dog, Nala, on long walks, sometimes at the beach. She enjoyed playing the piano and explored playing different instruments. She also enjoyed gardening with her 90-year-old grandpa, which was his favorite activity of the day. They planted different types of herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees. At the Rehabilitation Center, despite her limited mobility; the Recreation Therapist helped Larosina participate in gardening and baking. She was also able to play the piano on the Rehabilitation Unit. These activities allowed her to feel like herself again.

After four weeks at SCVMC, Larosina was able to return home in June. At first, she used a manual wheelchair to move around. One morning, in the beginning of September, Larosina was able to take some steps on her own. Her whole family celebrated because she could walk again! Gradually over time, a few steps turned into longer walks. Larosina found that the most difficult thing for her at home was depending on her family to help her with everyday tasks. Larosina participated in outpatient therapy at SCVMC. There, she worked on strengthening her legs and eventually was able to start running on the treadmill. Larosina also participated in The Movement Center- SCVMC’s Community Adaptive Fitness Program- in the late afternoon hours which helped tremendously in her recovery.

Today Larosina has almost made a full recovery. The most challenging aspect of her life today is fatigue; she has strategies to cope with the fatigue and reports it is gradually improving. Most recently,  Larosina was accepted to Pharmacy school and is currently a first-year pharmacy student at University of Texas at Austin.  

Larosina’ s advice is to keep pushing yourself and don’t give up! Surround yourself with a good support system and community. Without her family and friends, her recovery would have been much more difficult.  She believes that their prayers, encouragement, and hopeful words improved the speed of her recovery.

She is particularly thankful to Dr. James Crew for bringing her to the Rehabilitation Unit quickly and Dr. Edward Chaw for taking care of her during her stay. Also, she is thankful for all the nurses, therapists, social workers, and case mangers that worked with her during her stay at the Rehabilitation Center at SCVMC.