Sheltering Arms Newsletter

FALL 2020

TH E OF F I C I A L N E W S L E TTE R O F SHE LTE R ING AR MS FO UN DATION

The Inspirational Dallas Disbro

Honored by the Luck Family

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Clay Mayhood / Corinne Townsend Powerful Patients

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Celebrating Team Members

Meet Clara, SAI Therapy Dog

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The Positive Energy Culture at Sheltering Arms Institute “I’ve taken on the role of Chief Eternal Optimist” Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI)

“I’ve taken on the role of Chief Eternal Optimist,” says Alan Lombardo, CEO of Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI). The Institute embodies a new, high energy and positive culture. “We really enjoy working with each other here. It’s a genuinely encouraging environment that is completely natural.

We selected a team of professionals that embodied our culture and core values.

They support and collaborate with each other to achieve results.”

The 46-acre campus provides patients with bucolic views from bright, beautiful windows throughout the space. An open rehabilitation environment differentiates SAI from its competitors. When SAI opened on June 13, 18 patients were transferred from Sheltering Arms South. The growth has been astronomical, and today, SAI is heading toward a census of 100.

Opening SAI in the middle of the pandemic was a Herculean task, presenting numerous challenges that had to be overcome. At first, the Institute did not allow visitors in accordance with state and CDC guidelines.

In the past eight weeks, Alan explains, SAI decided to allow one family visitor per patient which has boosted morale tremendously.

The Institute recognizes the important role of family in a patient’s recovery.

The Therapeutic Recreation program has been a game changer, raising the spirits of staff and patients. As a physical therapist, Alan knows first-hand how difficult and challenging traditional physical rehabilitation therapy can be. The bright open Recreation Therapy Center creates a wonderful opportunity for integration, collaboration and support.

Games allow patients to relax and engage in fun, therapeutic activities. Additionally, Alan

believes that peer mentoring is important for patients, providing motivation and inspiration.

The Institute’s open model encourages these important relationships.

“You can’t have high quality outcomes if you don’t have an engaging environment.”

Technology captivates patients and ultimately produces a higher level of participation.

The intersection between gaming and rehabilitation has a competitive component or virtual reality, which ultimately sets a new benchmark for progress. Alan adds “Patients can be competitive with themselves in an environment that encourages them to do more repetitions to get better.”

Always on the cutting edge, SAI has a new offering of canine therapy! The Institute welcomes Clara, a trained facility dog. Dogs can empower individuals to break through mental and physical barriers as well as give unconditional love. Clara is sure to delight staff, patients and visitors.

“Healthcare can be challenging,” says Alan.

“We live these experiences with our patients.

We have created a high energy and positive culture that is conducive to higher quality outcomes.”

We really enjoy working with each other here.

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The Inspirational Dallas Disbro

Honored by the Luck Family It was a moment Dallas Disbro will never forget.

In March 2020, Dallas thought he had come to Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI) to act as an ambassador for patients with disabilities and tour the nearly completed hospital. “I rolled into the third floor spinal cord injury unit and there were all of these people,” says Dallas, recalling that the room became very quiet.

Wondering what was happening, he looked up to see a large banner with his picture on it naming the unit the Dallas Disbro Ability Center. Suddenly putting the pieces together, the surprise and enormity of the event hit him.

“I immediately started crying,” recalls Dallas.

“I am truly honored and eternally grateful.”

The Dallas Disbro Ability Center was made possible by a generous gift from the Luck family. This gift brings comprehensive care for patients with spinal cord injuries to Richmond.

In the past, patients had to seek rehabilitation over 300 miles away, if they could afford this type of care. Thanks to the winning combination of Sheltering Arms and VCU

Health, SAI is now a regional destination for spinal cord injury recovery.

“I love the Luck family so much,” says Dallas.

“They have been such a blessing in my life.”

Dallas and Richard Luck became close friends during their junior year at Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

Richard says, “At VMI, football weekends were a big deal. One Saturday night, my parents hosted a big table at a restaurant in Lexington.

Dallas and my mom hit it off immediately. He was his usual charismatic self. That event began the broader connection with the whole Luck family.” After graduation, Richard relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where he formed close relationships with the Disbro family. They helped him settle into post college life there.

At age 26, Dallas survived a diving accident in which he sustained a C5 spinal cord injury. The injury requires that he rely on a wheelchair most of the time. As a result, Dallas decided early on that he was going to redefine himself and his

purpose. With grace and optimism, he set a goal of helping others heal.

One of his highly successful community

outreach projects involved the planning

of a wheelchair basketball tournament at

Georgetown University in the Student Athletic Center. As the main organizer for Wheel to Win in 2018 and 2019, Dallas worked with

family and friends, sponsors and the community because he wanted people to experience what it’s like to be in a wheelchair for the

day. The Luck family was a corporate sponsor and also attended this March Madness

which included more than 20 enthusiastic

teams. Richard says, “Dallas championed this wheelchair tournament, engaged corporate sponsors, planned a silent auction and was

there with his whistle going court to court. It was really well done.”

Dallas embraces each day with a positive

attitude. “I have a lot of energy and do things others won’t. I’ve visited friends in different countries and even attended a wedding in

Jordan.” As a matter of fact, Dallas was in Brazil at Carnival the first time the Lucks asked him

to tour the new facility. “I really had no idea.”

Richard is so impressed with his friend’s

indomitable spirit. “Since his incident, Dallas

is making a difference. It’s incredible to watch and be a part of his following.” He adds,

“Dallas has thousands of followers. People

have heard his story and they want to know him. It’s so inspirational.” Richard explains

“Dallas has thousands of followers.

People have heard his story and they want to know him. It’s so inspirational.”

Richard Luck, Friend and SAI Donor

that Dallas exemplifies the meaning of the

name Dallas Disbro Ability Center. “Dallas has a desire for adventure, fun and exploring. He lives all those things.”

Dallas Disbro embodies SAI’s core vision of

Life Beyond Limits and continues to inspire and motivate others. “I don’t let my injury stop me from traveling and living life to the absolute fullest. I think that really resonated with the Luck family!”

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sarah, Charlie, Lisa, Jenna and Richard Luck with Dallas Disbro on his first visit to Sheltering Arms Institute.

#lifebeyondlimits

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Therapeutic Recreation Open, Integrated & Expanded

shared time between the former Hanover and South hospitals. A bigger staff advances this focused approach to achieve stronger results as well as extend activities for patients to nights and weekends.

Therapeutic Recreation has an abundance of options to educate, engage and help patients recover while having fun. Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI) boasts seven full-time recreation therapists creating new and innovative ways to challenge patients. Thanks to a range of activities each day, patients have more opportunities to sharpen mental skills, facilitate coordination and share a laugh. There are numerous programs including Lawn Games, Textured Tin Foil Art, Giant Jenga, and the Price is Right to name a few. This fresh approach has created an environment of unparalleled positivity.

Brianna “Brie” Kilmartin, SAI Therapy Program Manager says, “When they were building this new facility, one of the goals for the Therapeutic Recreation program was to help the team have patients up and out of bed as much as possible.” As a result of this careful planning, SAI has an energized team of recreation therapists to motivate patients; this new and exciting program presents a sharp contrast to the single recreation therapist who

One of the most rewarding parts of Brie’s job has been to work in such a cohesive environment. “We have a huge Recreation Therapy Center and I love being able to see all the patients through the bright, beautiful windows. In the past, I always felt that we worked behind closed doors. Now, I enjoy being able to see people experiencing the adaptive equipment and integrating all services we provide. It is amazing!” observes Brie, who came to SAI from the Brain Injury Unit at VCU Health.

Brie highlights the accomplishments of her enthusiastic team who work hard to keep patients moving forward in their recovery.

“This week Chelsea Fields created a Putt-Putt course in the gym. I love watching people laugh and enjoy life again.”

Chelsea Fields, a Rec Therapist, is committed to inventing a variety of activities and making them purposeful and entertaining. Putt-Putt, for example, allows patients to have fun while also working on balance and lengthening the amount of time they stand on their own. “I try to make things myself even if it is out of a cardboard box to meet a patient’s needs and I often brainstorm ideas online to see how I can help.” She coordinates a patient’s rehab with a potential game offering which allows for more productive activity in a fun way. By designing a mini-golf course, Chelsea created a situation

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“I like it when a patient is having a good time and progressing in their health.”

Chelsea Fields, Recreational Therapist at SAI

that patients would likely enjoy as a leisure activity once they return home.

One of the reasons games are so helpful, Chelsea notes, is that everyone can genuinely enjoy themselves without worrying about their performance. Challenges are an integral part of a patient’s physical, occupational and speech therapy. Chelsea taught a group of patients how to do Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper into animals and shapes. Any questionable shapes created a ripe opportunity for the jokes to flow. For Chelsea, it was all about being present in that moment. “I like it when a patient is having a good time while progressing in their health.” The games allow everyone to relax and have a good time, but there is a purpose. Recreation therapy helps individuals suffering from injury and illness develop new strategies to learn to live with their disability, enhancing their quality of life.

It works by reducing the isolation patients experience and helping them learn new ways to participate in leisure activities.

The Recreation Therapy team’s passion for helping patients is contagious and the positive energy is flowing at SAI. So, the next time you visit the new hospital, you may just stumble upon an anniversary celebration, balloon tennis or a push-up contest. There are no limits to having fun on the road to recovery.

What is recreation therapy?

Recreation therapy enhances physical, cognitive, emotional, social and leisure development allowing individuals to participate fully and independently in life.

• Therapy plans are highly individualized to the patient, taking into account past, present, and future interests and lifestyles.

• It differs from other therapeutic interventions in that it incorporates recreation activities into intervention strategies – > playing Jenga to enhance concentration, > UNO to help with cognitive retraining, > or allowing the patient to become engaged in a social aspect of therapy to be used as a diversion to assist with pain management so the patient is not reliant on pain medication.

• Incorporating healthy living into treatment to improve functioning, but also enhances independence and successful involvement in all aspects of life.

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Generosity on the Menu

Junior Board Makes New Café Possible Thanks to the support of the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Bal du Bois sponsors, the Junior Board has generously committed $1 million dollars to help make the Institute a reality! We are extremely grateful for the community’s partnership in our capital campaign. The Junior Board is honoring this spirit of community by naming the hospital’s dining space, the Junior Board Café. Enhancing the recovery process, the Junior Board Café is where team members, patients and their families gather and dine together, learn to regain independence, and return to what is important in their lives.

SPONSORS OF THE 2020 BAL DU BOIS:

In a year when we could not celebrate together, we honor these sponsors and their families for their generous financial support and commitment to Sheltering Arms.

Miss Mary Wall Ackerly Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Ackerly IV

Miss Mary Pace Lewis Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Hathaway Lewis, Sr.

Miss Elizabeth Green Polk Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Martin Polk III

Miss Margaret Georgia Beazley Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt S. Beazley IV

Miss Elizabeth Margaret Magee Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. James Timothy Magee

Miss Olivia Lee Brown Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Alan Brown

Miss Isabel Valentine Mauck Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gray Mauck

Miss Margaret McGee Roman Daughter of Mrs. Rawn Michelle Hyatt and Mr. Christopher Hugh Roman

Miss Anna Hutter Brugh Daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Lynn K. Brugh IV

Miss Olivia Grace Messer Daughter of Dr. Angela S. Messer and Mr. Charles J. Messer

Miss Lily Scott Cardozo Daughter of Mrs. Whitney Walsh Cardozo and Mr. James Scott Cardozo Miss Lillian Cooper Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ross Cooper Miss Elizabeth Reynolds Custer Daughter of Mrs. Laura Waddell Deal and the late Mr. Michael Edward Custer, Sr.

Miss Julia Fontaine Mitchell Daughter of Mr. Edward Dana Mitchell and Mrs. Catherine Ratcliffe Plageman Miss Madeline Claire Murphy Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Keith Murphy Miss Catherine Ann Nolan Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Patrick Nolan

Miss McKelvey Ewing Harrison Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Preston Harrison

Miss Catherine Greenwell Nunley Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Dayton Nunley III

Miss Elizabeth Owen Howell Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Hamilton Howell

Miss Elizabeth Gray O’Neill Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John David O’Neill, Jr.

Miss Eleanor Mabry Kulp Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Gordon Kulp

Miss Mary Carpenter Ottley Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julian Tison Ottley

Miss Elizabeth Campbell Spilman Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vance Henkel Spilman Miss Emily Page Stallings Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gilbert Stallings, Jr. Miss Virginia Ballard Syer Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ballard Syer, Jr. Miss Helen Scott Wallace Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott McKim Wallace Miss Carolyn Carson White Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Rose White Miss Louise Elizabeth Williamson Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Todd Williamson Miss Sara Douglas Williamson Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Spencer Williamson IV Miss Shepard Louise Williamson Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alexander Williamson

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Mind •Body •Spirit An Interfaith Ministry “You don’t come here to give up. You come here to live again,” says Dr. Gloria White Flowers, the Interfaith Chaplain at Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI).

The Chapel is a place for everyone of all denominations to worship, offering respite for patients, family, friends and staff members.

She adds, “You will see every known faith on the beautiful stained-glass windows.”

“The Sheltering Arms Chapel is an oasis – not just for prayer and reflection, but for solace and strength. I am grateful to SAI for recognizing that the rehabilitation journey not only involves the patient, but the family as well. And that journey can be lonely and overwhelming. The opportunity to reboot and find sanctuary in such a peaceful place is deeply appreciated,” says Madeline Mayhood, a family member of a patient.

Honoring the mind, body and spirit connection, Chaplain Flowers meets with

every single patient that comes to SAI. She wants them to know she is always available to help. “As an Interfaith Chaplain, I provide a ministry of care and support which respects the personal integrity and religious traditions of all persons. I assist our patients and families in using their inner strength, faith and relationships to work toward understanding their present experience from a faith or spiritual perspective. Ultimately their faith will lead them to full healing and wholeness.”

Her main objective is always to listen. Thanks to copious amounts of research, Chaplain Flowers honors all of the patients’ religious beliefs and brings a message of healing in a language they understand. For example, if the patient is of the Jewish faith, she uses messages from the Torah to help with recovery.

Chaplain Flowers has been with Sheltering Arms for over 25 years. She concludes, “I have been called to a field where I can work with every faith which I find very rewarding.”

“You don’t come here to give up. You come here to live again.”

Dr. Gloria White Flowers, Interfaith Chaplain at SAI

The stained-glass windows were a gift from the Virginia Circles of The King’s Daughters and Sons when Sheltering Arms Hospital was located on Palmyra Avenue. In 1998, the windows moved to the chapel at the Hanover hospital. Today, they continue to provide inspiration and warmth to those who visit the Sheltering Arms Institute Chapel.

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A Natural Fit

Clay Mayhood and Sheltering Arms Clay Mayhood is the ultimate outdoor enthusiast. He had plans to hike California’s John Muir Trail in September, but after a 20-mile trek in late June, he developed flu-like symptoms. Within days his condition exponentially worsened, and soon he could no longer use his arms or legs. The complicating factor was he was in Tennessee—900 miles from his home in Richmond without resources, family, or anything familiar. He landed in an ICU in a Memphis hospital with a debilitating form of polyneuropathy—something like Guillain Barre Syndrome. He was too unstable to transport back to Virginia so his wife,

get a call that they were exploring another option.” Finally Clay was transferred. “I walked into his room at Sheltering Arms Institute, and the view nearly brought me to my knees,” Madeline recalls. “I saw nothing but green— a giant window looking out on the most beautiful trees I’d ever seen with birdhouses along the sidewalk. After spending a month in hospitals with views of gravel roof tops, the contrast was profound.” Both she and Clay applaud Sheltering Arms for acknowledging the healing power of nature. “The view alone was a giant step in his recovery process.”

Clay concluded his inpatient stay at SAI in late

“That first day at SAI... was the first time in weeks I could take a deep breath...

Sheltering Arms really has given us the power to overcome.”

Madeline Mayhood

Madeline, flew to Memphis. “It was terrifying,” she says, “like a multi-system cyclone hit him right out of the blue.”

After weeks in the hospital, Clay began

to stabilize, but he would need intensive inpatient rehab to relearn what we all take for granted–walking, holding a fork, using a phone. Madeline knew the Sheltering Arms culture of excellence well, and knew it would be his best chance at recovery. In addition to working in the hospital’s PR department in the 1990s, she had multi-generational ties to Sheltering Arms—her father and grandfather, both physicians, made rounds at the main hospital when it was downtown and her mother was on the Junior Board.

“Getting Clay back to Virginia for physical rehab in the middle of a pandemic was a daunting process,” she says, “but the Sheltering Arms team made it happen. They were tenacious. Once one door closed, I’d

August and is now in outpatient therapy at Bon Air. “The therapists have been amazing,” Clay says. “They are always full of surprises and

look for ways to challenge me every day.”

He notes the entire staff has been “nothing short of wonderful. I’d wake up every day at SAI and I knew Becca and Ben would have me doing things I’d never done before given the extent of my limitations. It made for a great day. And I saw tangible improvements in my motor skills.” His rehab team at Bon Air is equally dedicated. While hiking the John Muir Trail may not happen in 2020, both Clay and Madeline look forward to resuming their active lifestyle.

“That first day at SAI, after getting Clay settled in his room, was the first time in weeks I could take a deep breath. I finally had hope.

I knew Clay was safe, and I knew he was exactly where he needed to be. On my way

home, I walked through the SAI atrium and looked up at the names suspended from the ceiling—the donors behind Sheltering Arms.

I saw names of so many generous people— friends, family, and strangers alike—and have never been so grateful. Sheltering Arms really has given us the power to overcome.”

A 10-Day Transformation Team Townsend overcomes COVID-19 Corrine Townsend, a 30-year-old wife and mother of two boys, came to Sheltering Arms Institute after a nightmarish battle with COVID-19 which began in June. Her husband was diagnosed as asymptomatic, but Corrine started feeling weak and coughing. With no fever or underlying health issues, she took her doctor’s advice and self-quarantined.

One night, she passed out in the bathroom and was taken to the hospital. Her breathing became labored and she was placed on a ventilator for three and a half weeks. The virus took its toll on Corrine’s body in ways she couldn’t imagine.

Her first day at Sheltering Arms Institute is etched clearly in her mind. During her initial evaluation, she was in a wheelchair and her therapist asked her to simply stand up unassisted. “I could not get up at all,” explains Corrine, recalling how weak her body felt. It seemed surreal. Basic tasks like walking, showering or even brushing her teeth felt overwhelming. “They gave me a cane and I had no idea how to use it. I’d never had to think about anything like this before. I would get so out of breath standing for more than two or three minutes at a time. At first, I felt so defeated.”

By the second week of physical and occupational therapy, however, Corrine realized that she was getting better. Her physical

therapist asked her to get on the floor and get herself back up so that she could play with her two young sons, 3-year-old Brody and 1-year-old Reid, at home. She realized that her little boys had no idea what happened to her health and she wanted to be there for them.

Corrine says, “At first I thought it was a crazy assignment. Then I got down on the ground for the first time and lifted my body back up unassisted. It was a special moment.”

Therapeutic recreation was extremely helpful for her to practice her fine motor skills. Working with her recreation therapist, they decided on painting and crafts with a fall theme. She painted a pumpkin and practiced tying the ribbon. This artful display is proudly hung on her front door as a powerful reminder of how much progress she made at SAI. Upon her return home, her goal was to climb the 14 steps to her house unassisted. Thanks to SAI, Corrine achieved that goal and made it into her house. Currently, she feels really good and has been able to go back to work. She is grateful for her recovery and getting stronger each week. Corrine warns everyone to follow guidelines and take all necessary precautions against COVID-19. “There are some people out there that think this is a joke. We’re all human and it is a form of respect for one another. It seems like a no brainer for people to do. This is the world we live in right now. Wear a mask.”

We are grateful to the Richmond community who have rallied behind Sheltering Arms during the COVID-19 pandemic, lifting the spirits of our team members. Generous gifts from donors provided numerous meal deliveries to our frontline staff. Several talented volunteers made over 1,300 homemade masks for patients to use at SAI, our outpatient clinics and Club Rec program.

Linda Ashby (pictured here) alone made close to 800 masks!

thank thank thank thank thank

you you you to all who helped with COVID relief meals and mask making you you

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Providing Patients with Hope, Dignity, and SelfRespect “Sheltering Arms is a loving place that’s always given hope, dignity and self-respect to its patients. The patient is truly put first.

I have admired the leadership of women at the hospital starting with Rebekah Peterkin in 1889 to the present day,” says Vann Traynham Williams. Vann thoughtfully committed a planned gift to Sheltering Arms in memory of her late husband, Emil “Otto” Nolting Williams, Jr. who died in November 2018.

Her gift also recognizes the legacy of her husband’s great aunt, Dr. Margaret Nolting, who served as Medical Director of Sheltering Arms from 1923 to 1949. Dr. Nolting was

a true pioneer and one of the first two women in Virginia to earn a medical degree.

Vann’s planned gift makes her a part of the Clifton House Circle, the hospital’s society of individuals who have included Sheltering Arms in their estate planning.

While there have been many changes at Sheltering Arms over the years, Vann’s admiration of the hospital, its leadership and mission remain steadfast. “For the past 45 years, I have been so impressed with the way the hospital has grown. It’s hard for me

“For the past 45 years, I have been so impressed with the way the hospital has grown. It’s hard for me to grasp its original transition from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility and the recent opening of the Sheltering Arms Institute.

It keeps growing and getting better and better.”

Vann Traynham Williams

Vann began her association with Sheltering Arms in the late 1960’s serving as a Junior Board member, later becoming part of the Women’s Council. At that time, the hospital was located on Palmyra Avenue. “I vividly recall our meetings discussing the exciting plans to put Sheltering Arms on the path to become a rehabilitation facility. It was a bold undertaking back then.”

When the hospital moved to the campus of Memorial Regional, Vann wanted to do more so she signed up as a volunteer patient representative. This program, initiated by resolute advocates, Anne Lower and Johnnie Lou Terry, played an important role in patient care and gave Vann hands on experience with the daily challenges of a patient’s healing process. Her volunteer efforts were meaningful and provided a greater understanding of how the staff-patient partnership can transform lives. “It was inspiring to witness patient progress from week to week and the remarkable outcomes.”

to grasp its original transition from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility and the recent opening of the Sheltering Arms Institute. It keeps growing and getting better and better.”

At the heart of this generous gift, Vann recalls how her beloved Otto and his family were huge believers in giving back to the community. She concludes, “Now that this virus is here, it makes the gift more important and special. I am so grateful that I am able to help.”

Vann included Sheltering Arms Foundation in her estate plans by designating the Foundation as a transfer-on-death beneficiary of one of her accounts. This revocable planned gift requires contacting your investment advisor regarding changing beneficiary designations and following their simple steps. You will still have control of the funds during your lifetime and can change the beneficiary if you so wish. Please always consult your financial or legal advisor for their advice.

We anxiously await the return of our volunteers and welcome new friends to Sheltering Arms Institute.

If you are interested in helping to provide hope, dignity, and self-respect to future patients by including Sheltering Arms Foundation in your estate plans, please contact Kelly del Campo Merricks, Vice President of Philanthropy (804.502.4485 or kmerricks@shelteringarms.com).

help

volunteers

give

legacy gifts

For more information on our volunteer program, please contact Elyse Wells at ewells@shelteringarms.com.

Telehealth Technology A Winning Team

“This kind of speech therapy where we are talking, dealing with emotions and employing different strategies to use our words lends itself perfectly to telehealth technology,” says speech pathologist Rob Bies. Generous donors made it possible to bring telehealth technology to Sheltering Arms, enabling our team to deliver therapy to patients during COVID. This virtual technology will also help homebound patients receive therapy. Rob’s online therapy sessions with Wanda Ingram produced a life-changing improvement to her speech.

A minister, mother and grandmother, Wanda suffered a small aneurysm in June 2019, requiring physical and speech therapy to heal. She says, “I felt like I couldn’t talk and I wasn’t going to speak correctly.”

Wanda was referred to Sheltering Arms and began working with Rob. They clicked immediately in person and soon transitioned to online telehealth sessions.

Rob says, “When Wanda first started speech therapy, her stuttering was pretty full on. She was able to say 5, 6 or 7 words per minute or she would get stuck on certain words for upwards of 20 seconds.”

He explains, “Wanda responded really well the first day when I tried to do several things. In particular, I focused upon her relaxing.

She did worlds better that same day. I felt really good about her immediate progress.”

Wanda’s daughter, Mandissa, was very supportive throughout her recovery process and, often times, Wanda would ask her to speak for her. Wanda says, “In the beginning, I felt embarrassed because of my age. I felt like I could not do it, but Rob would encourage me and tell me I could do it.” After each session, she began feeling better and more willing to speak up for herself. She worked hard to accept this new challenge, thereby opening herself up to healing.

A pivotal point in her recovery came unexpectedly when she spoke up in a private conversation about her sister, Emma, a frontline nurse of 40 years, who died from COVID-19. It was a deeply personal moment and yet, Wanda felt compelled to share her story. She says, “I did it with no problem and I felt like a baby taking a first step. Now, I’m talking. I’m telling my story about my sister and I couldn’t have done it without Rob in the back of my head.” Rob is thrilled with Wanda’s success, praising her motivation in putting herself out there again. This relationship shows exactly how philanthropic donations change lives.

“In the beginning, I felt embarrassed because of my age. I felt like I could not do it, but Rob would encourage me and tell me I could...”

Wanda Ingram

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Continuum of Outpatient Care

Renovations are underway at the Sheltering Arms Hanover facility with an anticipated completion date of December 2020! Thanks to the giving spirit of our donors, the Hanover Outpatient Clinic will provide a more open space for rehabilitation and brand-new, state-ofthe-art equipment. Outpatients will have access to the same leadingedge technology available at Sheltering Arms Institute.

Bryan Gilreath, AVP of Outpatient and Partner for Life Services, says “During the pandemic, our leaders have focused on Sheltering Arms mission and vision. This new clinic is going to be a real demonstration of that. We are going to have a multi-disciplinary clinic that serves both neurologic and orthopedic patients.” He is delighted to be able to offer such a wide range of services and advanced rehabilitation technology to the community. “Sheltering Arms is focused on treating the whole person including health and wellness services. We look forward to using this new technology to support existing health and wellness programs like NeuroFit.” Christina Withers, Senior Therapy Services Manager at Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers says, “Sheltering Arms has a long history of using state-of-the-art rehabilitation technology. This newly renovated clinic and all of the updated technology will allow us to continue this mission. It’s really exciting to be able to provide this to the community.”

There will be several new pieces of equipment, Christina explains, that will be available to all Sheltering Arms patients.

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A new dynamic bodyweight support system that will have a 60-foot-long track in the middle of the clinic. It will allow patients to get upright and mobile earlier and follow the latest evidence that supports gait recovery following neurological impairments.

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The Lokomat relies upon robotic gait technology for improved repetition and quality of movement for a variety of patients.

The Diego operates with upper extremity robotic technology; it can be used for bilateral movement which also benefits brain and spinal cord injuries.

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The last new device to fulfill all the rehab technology needs of the clinic is an Ekso exoskeleton. This advanced wearable technology allows patients to unlock their potential for movement which helps the recovery of brain and stroke patients.

Christina says, “The Hanover Clinic boasts a dedicated group of expert clinicians who have the knowledge and skills to use this equipment effectively for our patients.”

Both Bryan and Christina are very grateful for the overwhelming support of Sheltering Arms Foundation donors. Bryan concludes, “The support of our Foundation and the community helps us provide this state-of-the-art technology for patients to meet their fullest potential. We look forward to achieving our vision of shaping the future of rehabilitative care.”

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Celebrating Team Members “There is not a single day when he gives less than his whole heart to each person he encounters.”

Co-Worker of Carmelo

Congratulations to the Laura Maria Vietor Employee of the Year, Carmelo Vazquez! An exercise physiologist at Sheltering Arms’ Reynolds and Midtown locations, Carmelo helps individuals achieve health and fitness goals through personal training, specialized fitness classes, and Club Rec, a day recreation program. One of his coworkers remarked, “There is not a single day when he gives less than his whole heart to each person he encounters.”

Carmelo is a Certified Conditioning Specialist through the National Sports Performance Association and a massage therapist. He has been with Sheltering Arms for 25 years as a fitness professional and worked as a personal trainer and boxing instructor for 24 years prior.

Carmelo combined his love for boxing and years of fitness experience to help create and instruct our Parkinson’s Power Punch exercise class. He is also a group exercise instructor for our Core Strength and Conditioning class. He has over 10 years’ experience of pre/post rehabilitation with various special populations including stroke, fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s. His stance is that anyone who comes through our doors can be helped, no matter how long or short their recovery.

Meet Clara, the newest member of the Sheltering

Arms Institute team! Dr. Cynthia Rolston, Director of Psychological Services at SAI and Clara’s handler, began working with Canine Companions over two years ago to be matched with a facility dog. Clara is trained in more than 40 commands designed to assist, motivate and inspire patients. Dr. Rolston describes Clara as “energetic, focused, upbeat and there for our patients in ways we as humans just can’t be.”

140 Eastshore Drive, Suite 200 Glen Allen, VA 23059 shelteringarms.com/foundation

SPECIAL THANKS Contributing writers: Kathleen Reid, Madeline Mayhood Photography: Charisma Jamieson Sydnor, HDR Graphic Design: Polychrome Collective