Inspiring Rehabilitation Stories

Read the inspirational stories of our rehabilitation patients in their journey toward recovery from brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal disorders. Whether through our innovative and collaborative approaches to treatment, evidence-based therapies, or our specialized transition programs, the Rehabilitation Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute has helped these patients unlock their potential.

Playing it Smart

The Neurorehabilitation Concussion Clinic helps young athletes figure out a game plan for recovery after a sports-related concussion. Read more

In The Swim

Kennedy Krieger’s new Aquatic Therapy Center gives a spinal cord injury patient mobility and hope. It’s the dead of winter, but college junior Darin Ruark is spending much of his winter break afloat in a sparkling, penthouse-level pool. Read more

Therapy to a Tee

Constraint-induced and Bimanual Therapy Program incorporates golf to help one patient on his path to rehabilitation. Read more

On her Own Two Legs

When an uncanny twist of circumstances left Morgan Dunnigan paralyzed, doctors predicted her condition was permanent. With the help of Kennedy Krieger’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury she proved them wrong. Read more

Ben’s Story

What happened next would change Ben’s life forever, and no one could possibly have seen it coming. One minute, everyone was enjoying a leisurely ride home on their bikes. The next minute, tragedy struck when Ben was hit by a car. Read more

Girl Interrupted: The Long Road to Recovery After A Brain Injury

During Amy's senior year of high school something went wrong. Ever the over achiever, her parents watched and worried as Amy's grades declined, she became disorganized, lost weight dramatically, and even started walking oddly. Read more

Building the Future: Young Woman Turns Spinal Cord Injury into an Inspirational Career

There was broken glass and debris everywhere, and I could hear sirens in the distance. Just moments before I was sleeping in the car as we drove home from a family vacation in Florida. I was jolted awake as the car flipped over, and I could feel myself being thrown around as if I were in a washing machine. Read more

Never Say Never: Kennedy Krieger Gives Hope, Not Limits, to a Family from Nebraska

When Jack arrived at Kennedy Krieger, he didn't have any control over his abdominal muscles and wasn't able to do much with his hands. Now he is able to sit up, feed himself, push himself up onto all fours, and stand with the use of special braces. Read more

Reversing Paralysis

Led by World-Renowned Researcher Dr. John McDonald, A New Center at Kennedy Krieger Revolutionizes Care for Children with Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis through Activity-Based Therapy. Read more

Dynamic Duo

A year after a horrifying car accident, siblings fight to regain skills and abilities in Kennedy Krieger Brain Injury program. Read more

Balancing Act

Cranial-Cervical Clinic Focuses on Prevention and Treatment of Head Tilts and Malformations. Read more

A Grateful Gift

A family's generosity helps advance care for hundreds of children and adults with spina bifida. Read more