Abby Grinder with her son Jimmy and granddaughters Victoria and Morgan.
Susan and Diane Grinder’s mother, Avhlee (Abby) Grinder was referred to University Specialty Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program from another patient’s family at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Read their story below.
Our mother Abby had pneumonia and as a result she got a tracheotomy and was put on a ventilator. We toured University Specialty Hospital along with many other facilities, and were really impressed with the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Our experience at University Specialty Hospital was daunting at first, but soon became our mother’s second home.
Our family was very active and involved in all aspects of our mother’s care. Interaction with physicians and staff was very good. They explained all procedures and progress. Everyone was extremely helpful and considerate to our mother. The doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, speech therapist and all other staff were extremely helpful training us to care for her at home. The most memorable moment was when our mother was able to walk all over the hospital, ride in the elevator, and practice getting in and out of the car without the use of a ventilator.
Our mother leads a full and active life. She exercises and walks regularly at a senior center near her home. She enjoys eating out at her favorite restaurants, visiting day spas for her beauty treatments and being surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Our lives have been greatly impacted by participating in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at University Specialty Hospital. We believe that if our mother had been at another facility, she would not be with us today.