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The Therapy Team at Baptist Village of Owasso (Owasso, OK)
Contributed by Cindy Stephens, Program Coordinator
 Every May, the town of Owasso holds the Trail Days Parade. The facility always has an entry in the parade, and our therapy team volunteers to walk residents in the wheelchair drill team. This year's theme was "Born to be Wild." Our residents dressed as motorcycle riders with plastic handle bars on their wheelchairs. A motorcycle group, "Ride for the Son," followed us in the parade and offered rides to the residents. Our team assisted anyone who wanted to ride by helping with transfers or lifting non-ambulant patients. If they wanted to ride, no one was turned away.
More than 20 residents had a chance to ride, some for the first time in their life. As one lady said, "I'm 90 years old, I guess it's time I try this!" We were all very tired, but each time one of our residents returned from their ride with a huge grin on their face, we knew that we had made a difference in their life.
This is just one example of how this GREAT team cares about the happiness of our residents, whether or not they're a therapy patient. Often it's the little things that matter most, like taking time out of their busy day to say hello or bringing someone a cup of coffee or tea. We know how we would want to be treated if we were in their place. Because of this, the residents that do become our patients are excited to be part of our little group. We have achieved great outcomes by combining good clinical skills with FUN and a true respect for people.
The Therapy Team at New Iberia Manor North (New Iberia, LA)
Contributed by Doddie Schexnaider, Program Coordinator
 The rehab team at New Iberia Manor North has a magical way of motivating even the most difficult resident into participating in therapy when clinically appropriate. They provide therapy with a twist of fun and have even nicknamed the gym the "Treat Zone." Residents never know what they will find each day when they enter the gym. Some days, therapy may have a Mexican twist and all who enter the room are wearing sombreros. Other days may include Western wear, Hawaiian fun, gardening, games and even the limbo. On any given day, anyone who enters the gym can feel the genuine care and concern of the therapy team. And before they leave the gym, they might be given a song, a smile, a hug or a treat. The residents don't want to leave and often continue to do exercises long after they've been discharged from therapy. It's because they're treated like family.
Bethnie McDonald, Community Relations Coordinator
The Rehabilitation Center at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cookeville, TN
Contributed by Angela Cannon, Program Director
 Bethnie always livens up the unit when she is here and not out marketing. Our referral sources frequently comment on how they look forward to seeing Bethnie. It's because of her fun, positive attitude, as well as her thorough knowledge of the product she is selling.
This is Bethnie's first position in healthcare, and she has shown true compassion for patients in many instances. It's very heartwarming to witness her caring attitude and the sheer pleasure she gets in just making people happy.
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