ReGain at NEGMC holds patient reunion

GAINESVILLE - Former patients of the ReGain rehabilitation program of Northeast Georgia Medical Center met recently for a reunion in the outpatient rehabilitation unit on the Medical Center's main campus.

Patients visited with staff members, physicians and other former patients, while enjoying lunch and homemade desserts.

ReGain is the outpatient rehabilitation program of The Rehabilitation Institute of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. It offers physical, speech and occupational therapy to patients who have suffered neurological injuries, often due to stroke or accident.

"Our goal is to help patients regain their independence by helping them overcome their physical obstacles, whether by learning to walk or talk again, solve cognitive problems or regain motor skills," program manager Judy Smith said. "Often this process takes several weeks or months, so our patients get to know each other, the staff and the physicians very well.

"We held our first ReGain Reunion three years ago as an opportunity for patients to gather back together and celebrate their successes. It was such a hit, we've made it an annual tradition, and many patients come back year after year. It is so rewarding to see the progress patients have made and hear their triumphant stories."

Joyce Dean and her husband, Joel, of Dahlonega, attended this year's reunion, almost a full year after she "graduated" from the ReGain program.

Joyce spent four months in ReGain from June to October 2001 after she suffered a brain hemorrhage in April 2001.

After surgery, two weeks in intensive care and two months of inpatient rehabilitation, Joyce improved enough to begin outpatient rehabilitation in the ReGain program.

There, she went through months of physical, occupational and speech therapy to re-learn how to perform even routine actions such as swallowing and eating.

Today, Joyce is almost back to her old self, a medical miracle who falls in the small percentage of hemorrhage patients who make a full recovery. She still suffers from short-term memory loss, but even that is returning.

"I consider myself extremely fortunate," Joyce said as she celebrated her success at the reunion. "I was so lucky to have the support of my family, my friends and co-workers and the physicians and staff here in the ReGain program."