Recently I had the opportunity to visit NeuroHope in Carmel. NeuroHope was founded in 2015 by Chris Leeuw and has experienced significant growth in last 10 years. NeuroHope is a nonprofit outpatient rehabilitation clinic and wellness center for people living with and recovering from paralysis.
Last year they partnered with Sam Schmidt, former IndyCar driver and disability advocate, and his organization Conquer Paralysis Now. Because of their support, NeuroHope was able to remodel the former Five Seasons building. It is called the DRIVEN NeuroRecovery Center. NeuroHope operates the clinical services in the building. DRIVEN has been key in helping to create a state-of-the-art facility that is unlike any other in the country.
Rebekah Thomas, who works as their Marketing and Outreach manager, invited me to come and speak to some of the patients at NeuroHope. Introduced online by our mutual friend, The Reporter’s own Janet Leonard; Rebekah and I have wanted to meet in person for a long time, so when she reached out and invited me to speak, I quickly accepted.
While my challenges are different from the patients there, she knew that I have lived life with a disability and wanted me to share my perspective with their community.
Before arriving, we talked about the “know before you go” things that are important for people with disabilities to know beforehand when visiting a new place. I needed help unloading my wheelchair and she brought out one of their physical therapists to help upon my arrival.
As soon as I entered the building, I felt an immediate sense of community. While the facility itself is stunning and unlike anything I have ever seen, the thing that stood out most to me was the sense of camaraderie.
When I mentioned this to Chris, he said, “You are absolutely correct. The community is what makes our facility so special. Originally, I started NeuroHope to have a place to help complete the continuum of care for patients, after they were discharged from insurance, who still may be in their recovery window. For many years that was our primary focus.”
He went on to say, “When you leave the hospital, and you leave the therapists, and you leave the healthcare system, too often patients and caregivers suddenly feel alone. What we have here is a place where patients, caregivers, family, and friends can connect, learn about the next steps in life, and be there for each other.”
He describes the facility as more than just a rehabilitation center. They have community events, a wellness program, a caregiver support program, and a group of clinicians and clients that truly get to know one another on a level where it feels like family.
(From left) Reporter columnist Amy Shinneman, NeuroHope Founder Chris Leeuw, and NeuroHope Marketing and Outreach Manager Rebekah Thomas. (Photo provided)
As someone who grew up feeling so alone much of the time because I did not have a community like that who understood what I was going through, and neither did my family, I know just how important that is for quality of life. The sense of connection where others understand you on the level that you are struggling, is so important.
Chris and Rebekah, who both live with spinal cord injuries, understand that completely. That is what makes the place so special. Chris created a space which he knew from his own experience would give people the opportunity to live to their full potential in their recovery.
It is like I strive to do: I want to be the person for others that I once needed in my own life.
When I asked Rebekah what the sense of community there means to her, she said, “I came to NeuroHope for recovery, but what I found was hope, connection, and a community that helped me believe again and truly understands what it means to keep moving forward.”
She says, “When people come through our doors, they find more than therapy, they find a family that believes in them, lifts them up, and reminds them that hope is still possible.”
Before I even left that day, I knew I wanted to share about this facility with my readers.
What a gift this community is to so many, serving as a beacon of hope.
Learn more about NeuroHope at neurohopewellness.org.
Until next time …
Amy Shinneman is a former National Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, disability blogger, freelance writer, wife, and mom of two boys. You can find her blog at humblycourageous.com and reach her on Instagram @ashinneman.