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Gaining Her Independence Again at 85: Doris Snyder’s Success Story

September 22, 2022 | Patient Success Stories
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By, Allison R. Weder

At 85 years young, Doris Snyder had always lived her life to the fullest. But stenosis and deteriorating discs impacted her independence. She remembers living in pain and in fear. “I had pain from my hip, down my leg, to my ankle. I was walking like an old person! I felt like my hip was giving out. I was using a walker because I was afraid I’d fall to the ground.” Doris did not want to live in fear and wanted to get back to enjoying life. After discussing her options, Doris and her doctor came to a decision. “I knew they couldn’t do surgery at 85, so the only thing I could try was physical therapy. I had trouble getting up from a chair. I had to lean on the table to get a boost. I knew I had to go for therapy. I had two shoulder and two knee replacements. I knew what physical therapy could do for me!”

Doris needed to find a new, trusted Physical Therapist after moving to Pennsylvania. A neighbor recommended Phoenix Physical Therapy after her husband, who had a stroke, had a successful outcome with the Phoenix – Jersey Shore team. Doris set up an appointment and met with Clinic Director, Barry Wrench, PT, DPT, TPS. Doris remembers that day. “Barry took a history right away and was quite thorough. I felt good that he knew what I needed.”

Therapy sessions began right away for Doris. “They didn’t have me doing the things that other people were doing. Everyone was doing something different. It wasn’t like you go and get on a bike. One thing didn’t go for everyone. It was individual treatment because everybody is different.” Doris’ exercises were aimed at strengthening her back, and restoring her mobility and flexibility. “I had a big ball. I’d sit in the chair and stretch out over the big ball. I did a lot of different exercises sitting in a chair. They wanted me to get up on a table and I couldn’t. So, they adjusted and found a table I could sit down on and then get up on it. They really worked with me.”

After being in pain for months, Doris noticed a difference at the end of her second week of therapy. “I just started to get relief. I really progressed quite well. When I started, I couldn’t even get in and out of my own car. I have a car that’s low. I bought it because I was having trouble. After a couple of weeks, I was able to get in and out of my own car. I was so happy!”

Doris’ therapy sessions continued for three more weeks. Her program included homework, which meant she needed to complete exercises on her own, to ensure the recovery process continued even when she was not at the clinic. Now, “my pain is completely gone. When I went to bed, I couldn’t stay there I had to get up because the pain down my leg was so bad. I’m sleeping better now, I don’t have any pain down my leg, I’ve been to the market myself, I keep my house picked up better, and I can shower comfortably! I can shop and I’ve even been out with the ladies. I’m independent! I’ve been liberated!”

Doris is grateful for physical therapy and the independence she has once again. “Why would you continue to suffer? Try it! I have a sister who had the same problem. She went and had surgery, now she must go back and have some more. I’m feeling great after physical therapy and she’s still battling her pain.” But Doris is quick to point out, not all physical therapy facilities are the same. “I’ve been to six different therapy places over my life. (Phoenix) is the very best. Sometimes you go to therapy someplace else, and they tell you what to do and leave you there. Then, they pick up someone else. When you get old, you forget what you’re doing. You lose track of the count and sometimes you don’t do it right. If someone isn’t right there to tell you are doing it wrong it doesn’t help. They pay attention. They didn’t expect you to remember. You don’t want to feel alone.”

Doris looks back on her time with the Jersey Shore team fondly and knows where she will go if she is in pain again. “They didn’t just say farewell. I know I could go back, and they will remember me. They were so patient with us, with the elderly. They were very kind and thoroughly interested in the person. Phoenix hires the right people. They care. I was very impressed. I’ve been a lot of places, and this is the absolute best. I’d travel quite a few miles to go back to these people. I’d go out of my way to see them again.”

Doris plans to keep up with her at home exercises to ensure she can keep living her life to fullest. She feels confident now that the trusted therapists at Phoenix are part of her healthcare team.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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