‘ll be honest—I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of going to a rehabilitation center.

After a bone injury and complications that left me unable to walk, my doctor recommended rehabilitation. The social worker at the hospital suggested Avantara Lincoln Park, and I remember asking her a simple question:

“Would you send your mother there?”

Without hesitation, she said yes.

That answer gave me the confidence to give it a chance.

When I arrived, I was exhausted. I couldn’t move my legs the way I wanted to, I needed significant assistance, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the very beginning, the staff treated me with kindness, patience, and professionalism.

Every detail mattered.

The rooms were clean, the linens were fresh, and the nurses constantly checked on me to make sure I was comfortable. Even when I couldn’t get out of bed, they patiently showed me how to reposition myself and encouraged me to keep moving forward.

What impressed me most was how they treated me as a person.

I wasn’t just another patient. I wasn’t just a room number. I felt genuinely cared for.

Then came therapy.

Peter, Laura, Oonagh, and the therapy team worked with me consistently and patiently. At first, I couldn’t walk at all. Because of neuropathy in my legs, even basic movement felt overwhelming.

But they never gave up on me.

Session after session, they helped me build strength, improve my mobility, and regain confidence. They challenged me when I needed it and encouraged me every step of the way.

The day I realized I could walk down the hallway with a walker was emotional.

When I first arrived, I couldn’t move my legs. By the time I was discharged, I was walking.

That felt like a miracle.

The therapy team taught me something important: rehabilitation isn’t always comfortable, but it works. As they say, “No pain, no gain.” Looking back, every exercise, every session, and every bit of encouragement helped me get where I am today.

Beyond therapy, I appreciated how responsive everyone was. The nurses were attentive, professional, and compassionate. The social services team helped guide me through the process, and the dietary staff always accommodated my needs, including my seafood allergy. If I needed something, someone was there to help.

One thing I’ll never forget is how valued I felt.

It wasn’t like being in a hospital where you’re simply moving through the system. The staff made me feel important. They listened, they cared, and they celebrated my progress right alongside me.

In many ways, I felt like a celebrity.

And not because anyone treated me differently—but because they treated me with dignity, respect, and genuine kindness.

Today, I’m still doing the exercises I learned during therapy. I still use my walker when needed, and I’m continuing to make progress.

If someone asked me whether I would recommend Avantara Lincoln Park, my answer would be an easy yes.

The care was exceptional, the therapy changed my life, and the people reminded me that recovery is possible when you have the right team beside you.

Priscilla