Meet Ms. Joann, a 79-year old native of Baton Rouge and one tough, determined lady. In 2016, Joann was in a broadside collision. She sustained serious injuries including three broken vertebrae, six fractured ribs and multiple bruises all over her body.

When Joann arrived at the Gonzales Healthcare Center nursing facility in December 2016, she was unable to walk and had to lay completely flat without pillows. She was extremely feeble. She had to wear a hard back brace and heavily depended on nursing facility caregivers to complete her daily living tasks. Joann participated in physical and occupational therapy five times a week for four weeks, and her condition improved significantly.

Now, rather than being confined to her bed, she can stand and walk around the facility with a rolling walker. She has regained a lot of her strength and is much more independent with her daily activities. When asked her opinion of her experience with the therapy team she said, “It’s working! I wish I could stay longer! I have made wonderful progress, and I think the people in therapy are fantastic!”