Lisa's Recovery Story  

Lisa, 77 years old, was walking in Vietnam in May 2023 when she was hit by a motorcycle. She initially experienced leg pain, which progressed to paraplegia and she was unable to walk. Her family helped her fly home to northern California from Vietnam, and she was admitted to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) for spine surgery. After she was medically stable, she was admitted to the Rehabilitation Center at SCVMC for Acute Rehabilitation on the Spinal Cord Injury unit.

Lisa’s injury was to her thoracic spinal cord (T6 incomplete) and initially, she was unable to stand, transfer or walk. During rehabilitation, Lisa worked with her team, which included her physician, nurses, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and case manager to improve her function. When she left the hospital, she was able to stand for short periods of time and transfer with supervision. Lisa’s family participated in caregiver training and were confident they could assist her when she discharged home.

Now, 8 months since her injury, Lisa reports that she is doing well! At first, she lived with her niece, but now she is living on her own with in-home health support. Her caregiver helps her with meals, transportation, and showering. She can do a lot of activities of daily living by herself. Additionally, she is now able to walk from room to room using a walker and a wheelchair for longer distances. Lisa participated in outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy which helped her become a limited community ambulator. She is extremely thankful for all the help and support that she received at SCVMC!