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Stories of Care

Carmen Mata – A Victim’s Return to Life

007 has been a truly rough year for with the curtains closed screaming in Juan Blas, RPT, who became her princi-
Carmen Mata. When it began, the pain, completely bed-bound. She was pal rehab therapist: “Juan asked me what
268-year-old native of the frantic, totally unable to move. She was I wanted him to do. I told him, ‘Help me
Dominican Republic was living very probably our most severe case ever. be like I was.’” Dr. Martinez credits much
independently, sharing a small efficiency Typically, what we see here is someone of Carmen’s recovery to “Juan’s amazing
apartment with her sister. She was ener- who is 60 or 70 with a hip fracture.” Dr. abilities as a physical therapist, Carmen’s
getic and active, supporting herself by Martinez began working with Carmen, incredible determination, and a sprinkle
selling fitness clothing at a flea market. listening to her express her pain and of the miraculous.”
Then, in February, she was waiting at the frustration, slowly, patiently forging a Long after Carmen’s insurance had run
bus stop when she was hit by a car driv- relationship and helping Carmen to hope out, Blas and the other therapists in
en by an uninsured illegal alien. Her life again. She arranged for medication for Horn’s department continued to rehab
had turned into a living nightmare from anxiety and depression, and enlisted the Carmen at no cost. “It’s one of those
one moment to next. aid of Pam Horn, OTR, director of things that we feel we should do,” Horn
Carmen was rushed to the Trauma MJHH’s Rehabilitative Services says. Medicaid now pays for Carmen’s
Intensive Care Unit at Jackson Memorial. Department. nursing home bed only at MJHH, but she
She had a massive “open book” pelvic Then began an amazing effort on the dreams of regaining her independence,
fracture, both her legs were virtually part of Horn’s staff of rehab therapists to of having a car and a disability card so
destroyed, and she had serious neck and return Carmen Mata to life, at first help- she can park it. Even above and beyond
spinal damage. Doctors kept her in an ing her to painstakingly extend her range the formidable physical challenges still
induced coma for nearly a month while of motion while lying in bed, and, after facing her, though, Carmen faces long
they struggled to save her legs and stabi- her external fixator was removed in July, odds. Her old apartment has a step-down
lize her system. When she finally came to regain the ability to perform simple which she can’t maneuver. She needs a
to, she was in horrific pain and found activities of daily living most people take knee replacement she can’t pay for. She
herself covered in tubes and totally (l-r) Miami Jewish Home and Hospital staff for granted. Then she began to walk needs financial help in general, and she
unable to move, her pelvis and hips held psychologist Dr. Mairelys Martinez; Carmen again, supporting herself on parallel bars can’t work anymore.
together by an external fixator encircling Mata; Pam Horn, Director of Rehabilitative and with the help of a walker. Thanks to Nevertheless, Carmen Mata’s come-
her torso. She heard she would never Services the dedication of the rehab staff and back already has been truly amazing.
walk again. Although her support net- Carmen’s passion to regain her inde- “She has done a total turnaround,” says
work included a devoted sister and a Rehabilitation Center for individuals pendence, by September – barely more Pam Horn, “from lying in bed in a very
nephew and niece who are both psychol- requiring skilled nursing services, reha- than six months after her catastrophic depressed state to walking and having an
ogists, nothing could console Carmen bilitation, or a sub-acute level of care, on accident – she was walking over 200 feet awesome mental attitude.” “Carmen has
for her suffering and all she had lost. April 4, 2007. MJHH staff psychologist with a walker and was able to get in and been a true success story,” says Juan Blas.
Carmen was transferred to the Miami Dr. Mairelys Martinez recalls, “When I out of bed on her own. “She never gave up, even when it seemed
Jewish Home and Hospital’s Toppel first saw Carmen, she was lying in bed Carmen recalls her first meeting with too hard and unrealistic.”

HospiceCare Resident Donates Countless

Hours Creating Holiday Wreaths

ospiceCare of Southeast Florida wreaths for the Season. The Hospice staff The interest in the
resident Susan Perryman is a was amazed at her talent and many want- wreaths has exceeded
Hfriend and family member, and a ed to purchase her creations. At that expectations, so far she
caring and talented lady who spends moment she realized this would be won- has sold over 25 wreaths
countless hours creating holiday wreaths derful opportunity to give back for the and many more are avail-
while donating the proceeds to generosity that was extended to her by able. Her projected goal is
HospiceCare of Southeast Florida. Hospice. Creating the holiday wreaths has to raise a couple thousand
After several outings to local crafts been therapeutic, “it keeps my mind busy dollars for HospiceCare.
stores, Susan was inspired to create and helps with the pain I endure”, men- Diagnosed with Stage
tions Susan. four Lymphoma in 1987,
Susan Perryman shares
there is nothing that will
make your head spin faster
than hearing the “C”
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Have you had Cosmetic Surgery, Liposuction, to have emotional, nutritional, spiritual not able to remain at home. It was a long
Breast Augmentation, Lymphodemia, Joint Replacement? and medical support…all in one.” and hard journey but she now states, “She
At the time she was battling the disease has found a home and a family.”
Reduce healing time considerably with of Lymphoma and raising a family as a sin- “One of the proudest moments in my
licensed therapists for many conditions. gle mother, Susan worked for Revlon life is the day the HospiceCare staff donat-
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Her warm heart and countless hours of
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20 December 2007 hospitalnews.org South Florida Hospital News