After a recent back surgery, Claudia Coon was admitted to GHRC for rehabilitation therapy. Her legs were very weak and she could not lift them to get in and out of bed by herself. Her primary objectives have been strengthening her legs and core, and stabilizing her gait. She has made amazing progress in just a few short weeks!
Claudia remarked, “The work I have done here has been great! It has all been useful. The therapists have all been wonderful! They really care about all of their patients. They push you to do your best and to not give up, but they give you breaks when you are tired. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!”
Deepti Gupta, our Rehab Director, commented, “Claudia is a very pleasant and motivated patient. She is also a good listener – she follows all of the instructions for her back precautions, is faithfully wearing her back brace, and is using her correct ergonomic training. At first she had a waddling gait, but she has made excellent gains and is now walking up to 500 feet with a rollator walker and short distances with a single point cane. She is independent with transfers and all activities of daily living.”
“I am glad to be here,” Claudia added. “I appreciate it. I have received very good care. I was lucky to have had a great roommate in the beginning. We watched TV and ate our meals together and talked all the time.”
Claudia is looking forward to going home, where she lives with her son, Billy, daughter-in-law, Deanna, and grandchildren, 9 month old Kayleigh and 2 ½ year old Connor, in Haymarket. Claudia is very happy to be here in Virginia with her family. She ADORES being a grandma and taking care of her grandchildren!
Having moved here in 2014 from Clovis, New Mexico, Claudia is adjusting to life in Virginia. Growing up as an Air Force brat, she was used to moving all the time and making new friends. She liked the lifestyle, living in some exotic places like Germany, Morocco, and England, not to mention all over the United States. Her dad retired in Clovis and Claudia considers it her home.
After graduating from high school in Clovis in 1967, Claudia attended Eastern New Mexico University for two years. She and her high school sweetheart, Robert, were married in 1969. He joined the Navy and they spent the next 13 years moving from one base to another, a familiar lifestyle for Claudia. They lived in Portsmouth, Virginia, Kingsville, Texas, and San Diego, California, where Claudia decided to go back to school. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1982.
Now, with a degree in hand, a beautiful new baby boy, Billy, and a marriage in shambles, Claudia returned to Clovis and the comfort of mom and dad. At first she worked at a Catholic school, later transitioning to teaching first grade for the Clovis school system.
Claudia met a wonderful man named Bill and the two were married in 1984. After retiring from the Air Force, he taught junior high school American History and Geography, and coached the girls’ basketball team. In 1986 their son, Tommy, was born. They had a beautiful life together for almost twenty years until his untimely death from a heart attack at the age of 52. Although devastated, Claudia continued teaching for four more years, retiring in 2008.
At this point Claudia’s life became centered on volunteer activities at her Methodist church, such as cooking big dinners for various fundraisers and singing in the choir. She and three other single women friends began to socialize more, often enjoying dinners out or going to concerts. Then after a prolonged illness, her friend, Marsha, called her son, Billy.
Billy said, “I’m just happy to be able to provide for my mother the way she provided for me all these years.”
Our staff at GHRC has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this happy and positive woman. Her willingness to do whatever it takes to get back home is an inspiration to us all. We wish her all the best as she returns home to the best role of all – Grandma!
By Lynnette Esse, Activity Director
