Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Celebrates Recovery Journey of Pam Laney During Patient Experience Week

As part of Patient Experience Week, Stewart Memorial Community Hospital is shining a spotlight on the remarkable care provided by its Physical Therapy Department and sharing the inspiring recovery story of Pam Laney, a patient who has made incredible progress after a serious health setback.

In October 2020, Pam was diagnosed with a rare and debilitating autoimmune disease called Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP), also known as Guillain-Barré Syndrome. The condition, which attacks the electrical conductor sheaths around the nerves, caused severe impairment to her motor and sensory functions, leading to paralysis from the neck down. In Pam’s case, the disease progressed to Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a more long-term form of the disorder where symptoms persist beyond a few months.

"I was told I had a 90% chance of not walking again," Pam recalls. Despite this grim prognosis, she chose to remain hopeful and continued her rehabilitation at Stewart Memorial's Physical Therapy Department.

Pam’s journey toward recovery began with the unwavering support of Kay, a physical therapist at Stewart Memorial. "Kay was always encouraging and willing to try everything to help me," Pam shared. "She explained everything thoroughly and was always there to motivate me, saying, ‘You’re doing good, keep going.’” Kay’s personalized approach was instrumental in helping Pam regain both her physical strength and emotional resilience.

At the start of her recovery, Pam faced numerous challenges, including standing and supporting her own weight. "The hardest part was getting my legs strong enough to hold me up when I stood," Pam explained. But with persistence, patience, and the support of the team at Stewart Memorial, Pam began to see real progress. "When I first realized I could transfer from my wheelchair to a chair without a sideboard, that’s when I knew I was making real progress,” she said.

Pam's rehabilitation plan involved physical therapy three times a week, and with each session, she grew stronger. Today, she can walk with the assistance of a cane—a huge achievement from when she first arrived at Stewart Memorial. “Walking with assistance has been the most rewarding part of my journey,” Pam says. “I want to be as strong as I was before I got sick, and I’ve learned a lot about what I need to work on moving forward.”

Pam’s ongoing recovery is fueled by her determination to regain full independence. "It’s taught me to appreciate the things I should have been working on before I got sick," she reflected. "Now, I continue to work hard every day, and I want to help others understand that there is hope, even when things seem impossible."

Pam encourages others facing their own health challenges to stay positive. “Be upbeat, don’t let it get you down,” she advises. “With the right support from your family, friends, and physical therapists, you’ll get through it. The energy at Stewart Memorial is so positive, and it really helps you believe that you can get better.”

Stewart Memorial Community Hospital is incredibly proud of the exceptional work done by its Physical Therapy Department and the life-changing impact it has on the patients it serves. As part of Patient Experience Week, the hospital remains committed to providing patient-centered care, ensuring that each individual receives the support and encouragement they need to recover and thrive.

For more information about physical therapy services at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital, visit www.stewartmemorial.org or call (712) 464-4244.