Posted On: April 28, 2025 by Community HealthCare System in: Patient story
April is National Occupational Therapy Month
Donna Gilliland believes in the power of occupational therapy (OT). After receiving OT services for 8 months post a difficult and eight (8) hour C-spine operation, she has regained strength in her arms and legs, making her day-to-day tasks possible once again.
Gilliland underwent the neuro surgical procedure in September 2024 to repair vertebrae that were compressing her spinal cord. Due to the spinal cord compression, she had very unstable walking and the operation entailed the surgeon manually “walking” those vertebrae away from her spinal cord. The surgery left her without the ability to raise her arms. While she knew going into the surgery that some functional loss was possible, it was a shock when she learned she had lost nearly all functions.
Prior to her surgery, Gilliand had walking issues, including shuffling her feet and not being able to stand straight. She was referred to neurology, but since she was pain free, doctors were reluctant to perform any procedures. It was not until she began experiencing balance issues that the neurosurgery was possible.
She began occupational therapy treatments with Deb Dellere, OT, two (2) weeks after her surgery at the CHCS Holton rehabilitation department. This was amazing as she was hospitalized for eight (8) days following the operation. Her early sessions included working with putty to regain hand strength as her grip function was less than 10 in each. Donna also exercised with stretch bands and a hand bicycle, and she remembers how difficult it was to do wall push-ups. Donna also had to work to regain leg function and had to use a wheelchair for a period following surgery as well.
Dellere, recalls how determined Gilliland was to regain her functionality as she wanted to get back to taking care of her disabled husband. “Donna was very self-motivated and compliant with her exercise programs,” Dellere said. “She always completed her prescribed at-home exercises, rarely complained and had a strong desire to be independent once again.”
Gilliland will also tell you how caring everyone at CHCS was during her recovery, not just those in the rehab department. “My recovery has been dependent on so many from CHCS, including Elaine who transported me to and from my appointments, to Krista who was flexible in scheduling my appointments, to Dr. Connor who would stop by to provide words of encouragement and to all the others who were compassionate and welcoming.”
Fast forward to now, seven months later, and Gilliland is on the track to full recovery. While she still walks with a cane for added stability, she has regained use of her arms (her grip is now at 50) and she was recently released from OT and is exercising at a local gym with a trainer. She is once again able to care for her husband and can also mow their lawn. Gilliland is proud of her progress, but states, “I can always do better.” But in the end, she knows the power of OT and how it has helped her get her life back!
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