Paul Pavot, left, of LaPorte, and Susan Woodrich, of San Pierre; recently were honored as the King and Queen of Rehabilitation during a recent celebration at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Franciscan Health Michigan City. Pavot, an award-winning amateur photographer, who spent two weeks on the unit for treatment of Parkinson’s disease-related conditions, donated three of his photographs to the unit, where they hang on the walls.
Woodrich is a triple amputee, who spent about a month as a hospital inpatient and now is receiving outpatient treatment at the unit’s Coolspring Health Center. She was given a 20 percent chance of living after a septic episode that resulted in the amputations, but now can walk and eat on her own and has returned home. The pair were chosen for the honor by the rehabilitation staff. Said unit nurse manager Marlyn Martz, “We chose these patients because of their motivation and positive attitudes. They were both very determined to work hard and return home.” She said the unit plans to make the celebration an annual event.
