Carmella Lawrence Story

A severe car accident in 1988 left Carmella “living in a neck brace.” Any movement was painful and sometimes just impossible. After trying other treatments, her doctor sent her to Rochester Rehabilitation.

“Before I came to Rochester Rehabilitation, I would have to get up 6 hours before I needed to be anywhere in order to dress myself," says Carmella. "It was a slow painful process. Thanks to the warm water pool and the gifted hands of physical therapist Dianne Raney, I was finally able to gain some freedom of movement, to be able to relax enough to rest and sleep, and to begin to exercise again."

"Before the accident, I had held down three jobs and was also able to jog and participate in self-defense classes. Not being able to enjoy some kind of exercise was a real frustration to me.”

As Carmella says, with the help of physical therapy and the warm water pool, she can keep pushing herself forward in her recovery. The Rochester Rehabilitation “Stay Fit” exercise program now helps her maintain the benefits of therapy through consistent, affordable exercise. “Even though I am never without pain, I know the techniques I’ve learned can help me stay in control and direct my life where I want it to go.”

Directing her life was not easy. After her accident, she became a single parent, raising her son alone. “Sometimes I had to crawl on my hands and knees, but I made sure I fixed him his breakfast every morning. I have always been so proud of him.” And that pride is well-founded. Quinn was a full-scholarship Eastman School of Music graduate who attained a master’s degree while studying in Cincinnati.

Carmella says “He tells me how proud he is of me and how much he admires my courage and hard work in recovering my strength and independence.” Clearly, the pride goes both ways!

To learn more about Medical Outpatient Therapy, please call Midge Kogler at 585.271.1894 ext. 714 or email her at mkogler@rochesterrehab.org.