Jack and Myrna Miller are shining examples that life – lived to its fullest – can be done with humility – and with grace – and with a smile on one’s face..
Jack Miller, a retired electrical supervisor at aluminum giant Alcoa (Arconic), boasts – humbly – a seven-decade-plus career playing softball, both fastpitch and slowpitch. If it weren’t for a recent total knee (left) replacement, he would still be lacing them up for his Chicago Geezers Men’s Senior League softball squad, chasing another national or world title. The Geezers claimed the SPA 2014 World Championship.
A gifted craftsman, Jack, who will return to the diamond next season as a player, is a magician with a block of wood. There is nothing he cannot brilliantly bring to life.
Not to be outdone, Myrna Miller is a 24-karat gem on all fronts. A retired educator with a 10,000-watt personality, Myrna is genuine, social, active, athletic, patient with others, and has yet to meet a conversation she cannot carry. Google “wonderful’’ and there is a great chance Myrna’s photo pops up. She and her fun-loving pickleball group – dubbed The Beautifuls’’ – play thrice weekly.
If one mention’s Rock Valley Physical Therapy to the Millers, their eyes light up and smiles come across their faces. A lifetime of activity has taken an occasional toll on the two and whenever an issue arises, the dynamic duo have turned to Rock Valley to better their lives.
“I dislocated my shoulder in the service,’’ Jack said. “I guess that’s where all this began. Then I had surgery to replace my (right) knee and then had the shoulder replaced. Luckily – after surgery to replace them both, I had Rachel (Paulsen), PT, DPT, to make me right. “Now, after injuring my knee in a game in Troy, Ill., earlier this year, it was time to get the other knee done,’’ Jack added. “ And again, Rachel steps up. She has been there every step of the way, putting me back together with my shoulder and the first knee replacement and is making it so I can return to playing after the latest knee replacement. She is the best at what she does.’’
Paulsen says the Millers are joys to be around and she and Jack have established a unique bond filled with great trust.
“Jack is such a joy to work with. He is so humble and easy going, but also has a competitive drive and has always been up for a challenge in physical therapy,’’ said Paulsen, who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin/Lacrosse and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Iowa.
“I remember when I was treating him for his first knee, I asked him how fast he needed to be able to run for softball, and his response was “that just depends on how far I can hit the ball.” So it was an absolute pleasure to work with him again a few years later when he decided to have his shoulder replaced,’’ added Paulsen. “We’ve got to focus on building his strength and mobility in order to keep his swing strong. It is incredible even now after having his second knee done and his desire and ambition to get back to playing competitive softball in addition to pickleball and golf recreationally. Jack has excelled in therapy with each of his surgeries.’’
Jack Miller says Paulsen found the perfect career path.
“First, she knows what she is talking about,’’ he said, taking a moment to speak glowingly about all that is Rock Valley Physical Therapy, one of the nation’s largest therapist-owned, therapist-led private PT practices. “Rachel is involved and invested and has my well-being at heart. She knows when I want to get ahead, but she also knows the right pace that will make it best in the end. She is so understanding. We absolutely think she is amazing. If there is any issue I know she will be there.’’
Recently, Myrna was unable to find relief for debilitating pain going from her neck to her fingers on her left side. So she turned to Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Ryan Kauffman, PT, DPT, OCS, who worked aggressively to remedy the issue and put Myrna back on the courts and back to busy everyday life .
“I had a cortisone shot and that lasted two weeks and actually didn’t do much for me,’’ said Myrna, who gave three-plus decades of dedicated service to Davenport (Iowa) public schools. “Then I had a chance to work with Ryan, who first found out the issue was disc-related and then proceeded with treatment.
“He was amazing,’’ Myrna said of Kauffman. “ He was amazingly thorough, great to chat with, and knew exactly what the issue was. (Rock Valley’s) Greg Blaske (PT, OCS, FAAOMPT) who is a neighbor of ours, saw us, stopped by and agreed with everything Ryan was doing. Ryan was so great, so knowledgeable. He answered every question and he had an answer for what I was dealing with. My life is so much better because of physical therapy.’’
Kauffman says he draws inspiration from Myrna and her drive, her dedication to remain active and by the way she treats those around her.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Myrna a couple of times now and both have been great. She is a very active individual and I know she had some concerns at times on whether or not she was going to be able to continue doing a lot of the things that she enjoys,’’ said Kauffman, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. “Myrna, she was an A-plus patient and did all of the things asked of her. She ended up doing great both times we worked together, and she has been able to continue playing pickleball and being active in her day-to-day life. She is an individual who truly understood and trusted the process and ended up with great success.
On a gorgeous summer morning – nestled inside Bettendorf’s Deerbrook Estates – Myrna and Jack – and the Beautifuls – were active, were engaging and were enjoying all that was before them.
“We are fortunate to have Rock Valley,’’ said Jack Miller, who says he will be back and full-go for next season. “I’m lucky someone like Rachel understands what it takes to get me back. Myrna is amazing and never slows down. You can imagine how much she wanted to get back to playing pickleball and simply be pain-free. Rachel, Ryan, Greg and Rock Valley are so important to us. We are grateful to them.’’
The beauty of building lasting and caring relationships….That’s what Rock Valley Physical Therapy is about.
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller