Fearless and determined, Andrea Wristen strolled – with grace and confidence – across the Rock Valley Physical Therapy floor.
Unfamiliar onlookers continued about their business.
But those who knew Wristen’s story – one of a bold and brave 47-year-old in a battle for her physical independence and overall quality of life – stood in awe, some with mouths agape, others in verbal approval.
Calling it inspiring might not do the moment – months in the making – justice.
“I’m feeling good,’’ Wristen said during a recent visit to Rock Valley’s Muscatine, Iowa-based Cedarwood clinic, the place where she spent the better part of five months battling – and making life-changing progress – in her fight with a bevy of life-altering and life-limiting ailments. “I owe so much to the people here.’’
Felled a year ago by an arachnoid cyst on her spine, Wristen arrived at Rock Valley Physical Therapy for a bi-lateral foot drop. The first cyst, removed surgically, had returned and a second cyst – on Wristen’s neck – had appeared. All were creating a plethora of balance and locomotor skill issues for the vibrant and always-on-the-go registered nurse.
Life as she and husband Corey Ross, a 24-karat gem himself, had known it, ground to a halt. Wristen was forced to break from her nursing career. Caribbean vacations, a staple for the pair, were now a thing of the past. Physical struggle was at every turn.
“I had been through physical therapy elsewhere and my doctor – after surgery – recommended physical therapy and we decided on Rock Valley,’’ said Wristen, a Muscatine, Iowa resident. “Best decision ever. I cannot imagine where I would be without Rock Valley.’’
Upon arriving at Cedarwood, Wristen fell into the hands – and hearts – of Ashley Ravenscraft (PTA), Steve Wieskamp (PT, CEAS) and Kelly Jeffers-Gray, MOT, OTR/L. Ravenscraft worked tirelessly on the physical therapy side and after heart issues arose for Wristen, Jeffers-Gray was there for her on the occupational therapy end.
“Before Rock Valley there were a lot of falls,’’ said Wristen, who despite her struggles, is amazingly upbeat. “I was at my wits end.’’
That August day when Ravenscraft and Wristen met would be life-changing for therapist and patient alike.
“First thing she (Ravenscraft) did for me was (leg) braces,’’ said Wristen. “I was struggling. I was using a walker to get around. Having the braces helped.’’
Ravenscraft saw bettering Wristen’s life as the perfect challenge.
“First, I had to know all she was struggling with at home,’’ the Black Hawk College grad said of Wristen. “Then you see what she wanted and needed to get better. We worked from that point. Sure there were bumps, but Andrea came here with her toes curled, a foot dragging and using a walker. Goals have been reached.’’
Despite occasional frustration, Ravenscraft knew from the moment the two met, Wristen wanted to get better.
“She was highly motivated,’’ Ravenscraft said with a smile. “And there would be heart failure along the way. Still she wanted to do whatever was within her limits and many times beyond.’’
A steady diet of strengthening and locomotor-improving exercises always greeted Wristen over her five months of physical therapy.
“Andrea was open and welcoming,’’ Ravenscraft said. “I was challenged with her and would often go home and work on exercises that would challenge her. If a patient has the goals and the motivation to get better, it makes my job easier. This all falls back on Andrea’s willingness to work, her motivation and her want to get better. Calling her determined is an understatement.’’
Along the way, the two formed a unique bond of respect and admiration.
“My favorite moment together was the first time Andrea wanted to walk without an assisted device,’’ Ravenscraft said, a smile crossing her face as Wristen chuckled. “So I went and got another therapist to walk with us. I also put a gait belt on Andrea.”
“And she (Wristen) took off,’’ added Ravenscraft, smiling and laughing. “By lap one I told the other therapist for sure we didn’t need her and I was doing all I could to keep up with Andrea. That’s what was so challenging to me in a good way. Every time Andrea wanted to do something – reach a goal – she would. Then I would have to go home and write new plans just to make sure I was challenging her. I remember that first walk and expecting one thing and Andrea doing seven or eight laps and blowing the original plan out of the water. Amazing. Just amazing.’’
Doctors-believing-Wristen-would-never-walk amazing.
“The Iowa City doctors were amazed she is walking and doing so well,’’ Ross said of his wife, all while extolling the virtues of Ravenscraft and Jeffers-Gray. “It’s been life-changing.’’
Despite the great strides that have been made, Wristen admits more challenges await. This time, though, there is an outlet for her to get better and push forward.
“This is a special place with special people,’’ she said of the Cedarwood clinic and the therapists who had a huge impact on bettering her life. “Knowing I have this (Rock Valley) is amazing to have one my side.’’
Amazing indeed.
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller