Client Spotlight: Patrick Sanders

A summer bike ride with his wife quickly turned into a tragic accident last June, when Patrick Sanders’s wheel detached from his bicycle. Patrick lost control of his bicycle, crashing face-first into the ground. Patrick was Life Lined to St. Vincent hospital and underwent surgery for his spinal cord injury. He was at St. Vincent for approximately five weeks, then transferred to RHI (Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana) for rehabilitation for additional five weeks before being released to go home. Patrick started outpatient therapy at RHI and then started NeuroHope for occupational therapy in August/September 2023.

Patrick’s goal is to be as functional as he can be with the spinal cord injury he sustained. Ultimately, Patrick would like to get everything he had before back. He realizes this may not be realistic, but that is what he is shooting for. He is working on regaining his independence.

Patrick advises that anybody starting this “odyssey” needs to be prepared and you must be mentally strong. He describes this as both a mentally and physically challenging injury and recovery process. He explains that everything changes day to day, and you can’t get down, you must constantly be positive about your outcome. Patrick tries to look to where he wants to be and every step he takes, he knows he is going to get there. He realizes it is difficult to stay positive every day, but that is the attitude he believes you must possess.