The Farnum Rehabilitation Center - The Cheshire Medical Center

THE FARNUM
REHABILITATION CENTER
at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

“
T
he marvelous richness of human experience
would lose something of rewarding joy if there
were no limitations to overcome.The hilltop hour
would not be half so wonderful if there were no
dark valleys to traverse.”
– Helen Keller
The Farnum Rehabilitation Center at
Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene
is here to help you overcome your limitations
and to share with you in the rewarding joy that
comes with your personal achievements.

IntheBlinkof an Eye,
aLifeCanChange
L to R: Natalie Boucher, PT; John Ditri, MD; Cheryl Martin; Marcy Southgate, PTA
“Your world can be flipped upside down and you find yourself at
one of the weakest points of your life. In one day the unthinkable
happened and left me wondering if life would ever be the same.”
– Cheryl D. Martin
“
My story is like many others who attend physical therapy. After sustaining major injuries and
trauma from a motorcycle accident, I found myself being hospitalized at Farnum Rehabilitation
Center.
Rehabilitation from multiple fractures and other injuries takes more than simple exercises.The
therapists at Farnum went above and beyond their basic duties. Everyone at Farnum wanted me to
do well.They were invested in me.They wanted me to succeed as badly as I wanted it for myself.
I knew I needed to do exactly what they instructed me to in order to recover fully and correctly.
The amazing customer service from the friendly and sincere receptionists to the caring, knowledgeable,
and exceptional nurses, doctors and therapists make up a team that any patient would
be glad to have help them through the healing process.And look at me now, I’m doing great!
Their dedication to seeing each patient completely through the healing and rehabilitation
process was not only professional, but more importantly, it was heartfelt.With their help and commitment
to my recovery I am a success story.My warmest thanks to all of those involved in my
healing process.”
1

2
Meeting theChallenges
of Disability
The first and most critical decision with disability is making the choice to meet the challenges head-on through
rehabilitation. It is your decision.We at Farnum Rehabilitation Center applaud your courage and stand ready to
assist you and your family on your rehabilitation journey. From the initial phases of setting goals and establishing
trusting relationships with Farnum staff, through the hard work of rehabilitation, we offer a continuum of care
and support, celebrating each small victory on your way to reclaiming your life.
Farnum Rehabilitation Center
The Farnum Rehabilitation Center at Cheshire
Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene, located
in the beautiful Monadnock Region, is a comprehensive
rehabilitation facility offering both inpatient and
outpatient services.
Our commitment is to our patients and their families.When
patients and their loved ones come to us,
they have often been through a traumatic experience
that has significantly changed their lives. Our job is
to support them both emotionally and physically and
to guide them through a process that will begin to
reestablish the patients’ independence and self-esteem.
We empower patients to overcome their new limitations
and deal with the trauma and grief of their
recent change in function.We help patients regain
their independence and we share in the joy that comes
from that endeavor.
No two patients are alike and everyone has their
own unique requirements and obstacles to overcome.
We individualize our programs to fit the needs and
desires of our patients.Through years of experience,
we have highly developed programs for a variety of
diagnoses including:
• Amputee • Multi-trauma
• Brain Injury • Orthopedics
• Cancer • Spinal Cord Injury
• Geriatric Evaluation • Stroke
and Management • Neurological Disorders
In addition, we offer an orthotics and prosthetics
(braces and artificial limbs) clinic, a wheelchair and
seating clinic, balance testing and training, chronic
pain management, ostomy teaching, lymphedema
management, sports medicine, pool therapy, industrial
rehabilitation and women’s health among our many
outpatient services.
We have a broad range of dedicated, experienced
professionals who work as a dynamic team with our
patients on treatment plans tailored to their requirements.
• A physiatrist, a physician specializing in rehabilitation
medicine, manages the patients’ medical issues and
oversees and directs the course of rehabilitation
during the inpatient stay.
• Occupational therapists work with patients to
improve arm and hand function and to regain the
ability to perform daily aspects of living such as
bathing, dressing and home management.
• Physical therapists are specialists in helping patients
with mobility and balance and provide the necessary
training for activities such as walking and climbing
stairs.
• Speech pathologists treat patients who have difficulty
with speaking or swallowing and evaluate and treat
those with memory and cognitive problems.
• Rehabilitation nurses are specifically trained to provide
care to persons with disabilities. Each patient
has the same team of rehab nurses throughout their
stay. Because the rehab nurses are a constant presence
for their patients, they help ensure a continuum of
care through constant communication with the various
professionals working with the patient and family.
• Social workers help patients and their families cope
with the emotional stress of illness or injury.They
facilitate communications between patients, their
families and medical personnel and ensure smooth
transitions for our patients from Farnum Rehabilitation
to their homes or other medical facilities.
Other members of the rehabilitation team include
a therapeutic recreation specialist and a psychologist.
Vocational rehabilitation is also available. Our goal is
to maximize patients’ independence so they can enjoy
their lives to the fullest.

“What can we do to get you back up and into life? That’s
the question we ask ourselves when we begin working with
a patient. Our philosophy is to help our patients live more
independently while helping them adjust to their disabilities.
Our best moments are when we can return patients to their
homes. Some of our patients come here with no expectations
of being able to go home and they and their families are
elated with their progress and ability to manage on their
own.That’s a success for us and for our patients.”
– John Ditri, MD, Medical Director of Farnum Rehabilitation Center
3

4
“Without the people at Farnum, never in a million years
would I be anywhere near where I am today.” – Bud Starr

Striving forYourDreams
Setting goals is the first and probably one of the most significant steps in rehabilitation. It is not our goals that are
important – but the goals of our patients and families.We spend a significant amount of time really listening to
our patients, hearing what is crucial in their lives.We help them decide what they want to accomplish and then
we make their plan the focus of the rehabilitation process.
“My role as a Physical Therapist is as a mentor,
coach, taskmaster and friend. For me, the
best outcomes happen when we are working
the hardest we can together.When the patient
is giving it his all, and following through
with recommendations and exercises, then we
know we’ve done everything possible and will
make the most progress.”
– Sharil Cass, Physical Therapist
Meet Bud Starr: His Spinal Cord
Injury Could Not Keep Him Down
“
They had given up on me,” explains Bud.“But my
daughter told the doctors, you don’t know my father,
he’s a fighter.”That’s an understatement. Bud not only
survived a head-on collision, multiple surgeries, a coma
and a spinal cord injury, but his fighting spirit served
him well when he came to the Farnum Rehabilitation
Center. For Bud, it was the Farnum staff that held out
the hope he needed.Their motivation, coupled with Bud’s
determination, made for an unbeatable combination.
“God bless my therapists,” says Bud.“They got me
through.They have insight into what motivates people.
They helped me establish goals for myself.Then they
would push me a little beyond what I wanted to do.They
would say to me – three more steps, just three more.And
I always did it – I did it for them. My therapists make
miracles happen.”
Bud’s a fighter.At times he wants to give up, but
he doesn’t. He keeps working hard. If he didn’t want
to keep his independence, he wouldn’t keep coming
back. Bud is realistic. He knows his limitations and he
tries to be safe and independent within those limitations.
Teamwork is vital.There has to be good teamwork
between the patient, the family and the therapist or
it doesn’t work. His wife Diana is his rock.We have
a great team.
5

6
Determination,Motivation,
andTrusting Relationships
Make Success Possible
Becoming more dependent on others is difficult when a person has been independent for most of a lifetime.
At Farnum we understand what a vulnerable feeling that can be. As we work with patients over time, we build
a bond of trust that enables them to begin reclaiming their independence. Unfortunately we cannot do the
strenuous work of rehabilitation for them – that determination and strength comes from within each patient.
Our part is to provide the technical expertise, the caring hand, the necessary assurances and the encouragement
for patients to take a little more of themselves back each day.We are always there, right by their side, cheering
them on every step of the way.
Meet Keith Jenkins; His Attitude
After Amputation Made for
Lightening-Fast Recovery.
“
I have had vascular problems the past 12 years and had
10-12 surgeries before we arrived at this point,” said
Keith.“In February they amputated my right leg below
the knee and I went to Farnum Rehabilitation.”
“I’ve done well,” said Keith, matter of factly.“I have
a good attitude and I was determined. I had to do what
I had to do – I wanted to get it done! The occupational
therapist taught me how to take care of myself and to
transfer from the bed to the wheelchair.The physical
therapist worked my muscles and taught me to use
crutches. I was fitted with a prosthesis and I learned how
to walk and climb stairs.The therapists don’t force you.
They don’t believe in ‘no pain, no gain,’ but they believe
you should work at your capacity – do all you can do
and if it gets to hurting, you take a break.”
For Keith, there were even parts of his therapy that
were fun.“There was a recreational therapist who would
play cards and games with us,” says Keith.“We had an
Aloha party and an indoor frisbee game. I got to know
the other patients and we all would encourage each
other. I actually had a great time at Farnum.”
“Keith Jenkins was highly motivated,” said Occupational
Therapist Chris Disco-Lipkin.“To face losing a limb is very
difficult. It is part of you. Keith came knowing he had to work
hard and he had a goal in mind. He is an inspiration.Today
Keith can get up, get dressed, washed, make lunch – he can do
it. Each small victory – that’s the reward for both of us.”
“I get close to patients.You have to because it is a
very personal thing you do.You are in a struggle
with them. If and when they succeed in what
they are trying so hard to accomplish – that is
the reward. It makes your day wonderful when
a patient succeeds in a task he has been working
on. I can leave work knowing I helped to make
someone’s life better.”
– Chris Disco-Lipkin, Occupational Therapist

“They are good people up there…doctors, nurses, therapists
and the housekeepers.They did their job and got me in
and out of there.They are upbeat and cheery. I don’t
think there is any better rehabilitation unit around.They
do whatever it takes for the patient.They care – they just
really care.”
– Keith Jenkins
7

8
“They called me Miracle Man. I was in bad shape when
I got there and I walked out without a cane or walker. I
give Farnum most of the credit. I give myself just a little.
It takes a good attitude and persistence.You have to want
it, but the rest of the credit belongs to them.”
– Ted Linton

We Celebrate theSmall
Victories Every Day
We know what it takes to relearn to dress, shower and walk.We work with patients every day as they strain to
exert themselves through each new movement. But our patients are not alone in the struggle, nor are they alone
in the victories. Each small triumph builds on the next. And that is what we strive for – small successes.They
mean almost as much to us as they do to our patients.They are the fruits of our labors together and we thrill in
each patient’s accomplishments.
“We are here to see the possibilities for our patients.
And then we take it day by day and we build
on little successes. It is very rewarding. Patients
come here very debilitated and leave at a much
higher level.We are sustained by our patients’
successes.”
– Marie Magee, Occupational Therapist
Ted Linton: Miracle Man After
Phenomenal Recovery from a Stroke
Ted Linton is an 81-year-old gentleman, tall and lean
with a twinkle in his eyes that tells you he has a lot of
life in him. But when he had a severe stroke that left
him in a totally weakened condition, unable to walk
or even feed himself, life for Ted became an incredible
challenge.
“I couldn’t get out of bed, let alone walk.And I knew
I couldn’t walk mentally,” explained Ted, pointing to his
mind.“I would watch someone walk by and I would
say to myself, such a simple thing – walking – one foot
in front of the other – but I couldn’t do that. I could
not imagine how I was ever going to learn to walk
again, or even if I could. I had to start all over.”
“One of my therapists brought me a grocery cart
one day. I was supposed to hold onto it, push it and
walk. It was impossible in the beginning. But I kept
telling myself,‘I am going to do it!’ Eventually I did
it – just as I learned to climb stairs. I was persistent and
I just didn’t let it get me down,” he explained.“And I
had 100 percent family support and that really helped.”
“They carried me into Farnum and I could have
danced out.The day we left, everybody came in to say
goodbye to my wife and me.There were a lot of hugs.
It says a lot about the people at Farnum.They are very
special, caring people.When I think of Farnum Rehab,
it brings back many happy memories.”
9

10
Patients Reclaim
Their Independence
Every Day at Farnum
There comes a time in therapy when patients begin to see more of the light and less of the darkness; when they
begin to see their own possibilities.At this point there is usually no stopping them. Each day that one of our
patients reclaims his or her life is a very special day at Farnum. Our patients are part of our extended Farnum
family and we all celebrate in their success.
“We take a holistic view of the patient and treat
the whole person. Because of the length of time
our patients are here, we develop close relationships.
We watch the patients go through a grieving
process – they are no longer the people they were
before.The neat thing about my job is I get to
witness patients as they go from crisis to recovery.
I don’t know where they get their courage. It
amazes me. But it is an honor to be a part of
the process.”
– Kitty Doty, Rehabilitation Nurse
Bob Hanson Gets Back into the
Mainstream of Life
Bob Hanson, Chief Engineer at Timken/MPB corporation
in Keene, collapsed at work.The next thing he knew
people were all around him and an ambulance was on
its way to bring him to Cheshire Medical Center.Two
weeks later, Bob was transferred to the Farnum Rehabilitation
Center, paralyzed on the right side. At Farnum,
Bob spent the next six weeks relearning much of what
had come so easily to him just months before. And as
if that wasn’t enough, in order to go back to work, Bob
had to master the skills required of him in his job – to
think clearly, read and understand what he had just read,
write reports, add and subtract numbers.Today he is
back at work, smiling, competent, conducting the everyday
business required of the Chief Engineer of a high
technology company – a remarkable recovery!
“
My stroke was devastating, unbelievable really,” explained
Bob.“My therapists as well as my doctor and nurse were
absolutely great. My interaction with people at Farnum was
critical, because they were helping me with such personal things.
These therapists taught me how to shower and dress in the
morning as well as how to walk, write and read. I got close
to the people at Farnum. It was almost hard to go home.”
“The personal connections Bob made with Farnum staff
went both ways. Bob was a delight to work with,” said Alison
Chadwick, his outpatient physical therapist.“His endurance
is amazing; he worked so hard. By the time Bob left he was
working a little bit. Now I see him walking so nicely. It makes
me proud.”

“The therapists, Sarah and Alison were great. I felt they
weren’t just doing a job – they really cared.And Kitty
Doty, my nurse, was a real help to me. I really came to
like those three. Even now I have a hard time not crying
when I go back to see them.”
– Bob Hanson
11

12
“I have degenerative disk disease and use crutches to take the
stress off my lower back. Before I started exercising in the
therapy pool, I was not active at all.The pool got me going
again. It’s like oil for the joints. Now I can grocery shop,
clean the house, and go out with friends for a bite to eat.
The therapists do a wonderful job.We are so lucky to have
the Farnum Rehab facility here.The pool has changed my
whole life.What a blessing!” – Bonnie Chamberlin, patient, works with
Wendy Sanctuary, Physical Therapy Assistant.

“
Ithink
heroes are ordinary individuals who find
the strength to persevere and endure despite
overwhelming obstacles…and the families and
friends who stand by them.”
– Christopher Reeve

THE FARNUM REHABILITATION CENTER
603-354-5400 • www.cheshire-med.com
580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431
Phone: 603-354-6633
Fax: 603-354-6634
Website: www.cheshire-med.com