I developed a clot in my left hip and I spent 24 hours without any blood flow in my leg. By the time they finally got the blood flowing again, I had lost all the muscles and nerve endings in my left leg. I had no feeling and no movement. It was just numb.

I spent almost three months in bed and in a wheelchair in so much discomfort, not being able to stand up. I would physically have to reach down and grab my left leg and move it with my hands.

Finally I came to stay with my family in McMinnville and started therapy at Willamette Valley Medical Center. I worked with Matt and Angela. I think a lot of people could have run me through the exercises and helped me get stronger, but to keep me motivated as much as I am and was – they had a huge part in that.

Therapists showed me little bits of improvement each week

They were very upbeat and didn’t hold anything back, showing me little bits of improvement each week. They would say, “Listen, you don’t look like you’re going very far, but today you can push that foot out that extra ¼ inch from last week.”

In the past six months I went from not being able to stand up, to being able to use crutches, to using a cane, and at this point I can now walk without pain for a short period of time and a short distance.

I’m back to work now!

It’s still quite a struggle, but I’m back to work now! I drive a dump truck, and I’m so thankful I’m finally physical enough and mobile enough that I can do it again.

I can’t say thank you enough to Matt Munger, PTA, and Angela Upmeyer, PTA, for all their help. Because of them, I‘m able to walk again.