When Nelson Carr arrived at the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center last December, the longtime Canandaigua resident was at a low point. He had just spent 15 days at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester following the amputation of his left leg just below the knee.
However, after a session in the skilled-nursing facility’s rehabilitation gym, he said to his wife Kim, “I’ve found the right place.”
“These people are wonderful,” he said. “They were focused, they knew what I needed, and they made sure I got what I needed.”
Nelson worked with both physical and occupational therapists at the CCC, describing the experience as “unbelievably good.”
“It’s not only the (rehabilitation) team but the whole operation – everybody is just super,” he said.
In February, Nelson began utilizing his new prosthesis. At first, crossing the room was a challenge, but by the time he was discharged on March 7, he walked from his room, past the gym, through the lobby, and out the door with the rehabilitation team and other staff lining the hall to cheer him on.
According to CCC Rehabilitation Manager Mary Grace Lucas, the CCC rehabilitation team employs 22 people. In 2023, they worked with residents for nearly 4,500 sessions. Those who are on the facility’s Skilled-Transitional Unit, like Nelson was, typically do five sessions per week but some long-term residents come just once or twice per week.
Mary Grace said Nelson’s can-do attitude and his resulting triumph is just one example of how residents inspire the physical, occupational and speech therapists, as well as other associates on her team.
“It’s so rewarding to see them successfully do something today they couldn’t do yesterday,” she said, noting often patients do not see the daily progress but the therapist can remind them of just how far they’ve come.
“It may sound simple,” she said, “but walking to the bathroom for the first time or getting dressed without assistance is such a huge achievement on the way to independence; we need to celebrate all the small victories.”
Nelson, who turned 84 in May, is still celebrating his victories.
Not only is he home with Kim and their beagle, Tucker, he has been able to resume some of his favorite pastimes and even traveled to Florida. He and Kim recently visited the CCC to reconnect with his care team.
Nelson has some advice for anyone who finds themselves at the CCC for a rehabilitative stay: “Do what the therapists tell you to do. Work hard. Things will get better, and you will get back on the right track with a whole new life ahead of you.”