Dustin Wheeler, a 43-year-old owner of a construction company, is from Doylestown, Ohio. One evening, he became dizzy and unbalanced while preparing dinner. He laid down in bed where his mother found him the next afternoon. His speech was slurred, and he was unable to move. Dustin was taken by ambulance to an acute care hospital where he was diagnosed with a pontine brainstem stroke, resulting in paralysis on his right side. His physician said he was fortunate to have survived and recommended Summa Rehab Hospital for inpatient rehabilitation.

While at Summa Rehab Hospital, Dustin worked to regain mobility on his right side. The interdisciplinary healthcare team developed a customized care plan to help him reach his goal. His therapists, including Jenny, Asia, Aaron, Abby, and Megan, worked with Dustin to maximize his recovery, which included utilization of an electrical stimulation bike to help him recover movement of his leg.

“They pushed me hard with high intensity workouts,” Dustin says. “And I pushed myself also.”

Dustin’s mother also was an integral part of his recovery and remained engaged and active in his recovery. She helped to keep his spirits up and investigated possible ways to assist him when it was time to return home.

After 20 days as an inpatient, Dustin regained all movement on his right side, and walked out of the hospital with the assistance of a walker.

After completing inpatient therapy, Dustin transitioned to Summa Rehab Hospital’s outpatient rehabilitation program. While there, he fine-tuned his hand-eye coordination and arm movements, used the hospital’s equipment in its 5,000-square-foot therapy gym to rebuild strength and mobility, and practiced walking on various surfaces of the hospital’s patio.

Dustin now continues to exercise at home and in a gym, focused on regaining his full strength and movement.

Reflecting on his time at Summa Rehabilitation Hospital, Dustin says, “I’ve learned to live life to the fullest. I realize the most important thing is to be there for my loved ones.” He now looks forward to building his business back, sharing his motto, “I can. I am. See it. Feel it. Believe it. Anything is possible.”