Twenty-eight-year-old Sarah Maynard works part-time in a brewery in San Diego, California. She enjoys spending time at the beach, socializing with friends, visiting breweries, and traveling to Colorado to visit her family.

Recently, while at work, Sarah noticed numbness and tingling in her feet. Over the next three days, her symptoms worsened, leading to increased weakness. She went to the emergency department, where she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the peripheral nerves, causing inflammation and damage. While at the hospital, Sarah experienced respiratory failure, requiring intubation, and was placed on a ventilator to help her breathe. She was transferred to a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) in San Diego where she remained on a ventilator for six weeks.

After her stay at the LTACH, Sarah’s parents wanted her close to home so they could help care for her. As a family, they researched rehabilitation options near them and chose Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital (NCRH) for Sarah’s continued recovery because of its strong reputation in neurorehabilitation.

Upon arriving at NCRH, Sarah struggled with significant weakness and was unable to sit at the edge of the bed without losing her balance. The interdisciplinary healthcare team developed a personalized treatment plan to help her maximize her recovery. She participated in physical and occupational therapy to build strength, endurance, and independence in daily activities.

“The therapy program is challenging, but the therapists make it so much fun,” Sarah says. “It’s always the highlight of my day to go to the gym with them.”

Sarah has made steady progress, advancing from struggling to sit upright to taking small steps with a walker. Reflecting on her experience, she says,

“Everyone at NCRH has been fantastic! The staff is always so helpful, attentive, and nice. And Dr. Revelyn Arrogante is easy to talk to and always answers all my questions.”

After nearly six weeks at NCRH, Sarah plans to return home with her parents. She looks forward to sleeping in her own bed, spending time with her two young nieces, and going out to dinner with friends. Her ultimate goal is to walk independently and return to San Diego, where she can once again enjoy the beach.