Against All Odds
Mercedes using the Parallel Bars with Allie Ruoff, Physical Therapy Assistant.
By Ann E Butenas
A patient transforms tragedy into triumph through determination and exceptional care at MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital.
Mercedes in the Exoskeleton with Joni Cook, physical Therapist and Naomi Weaver, Rehab Therapy Tech.
On February 27th of this year, Mercedes’ world changed forever in the most unimaginable way. In a senseless act of violence, her ex-boyfriend shot both her and her 12-year-old son. While her son tragically didn’t survive, Mercedes found herself fighting for her life with a bullet lodged in her neck that had damaged her spinal cord and punctured her lung.
The bullet, still inside her body today, struck at the C7 vertebrae level, causing significant spinal cord injury and nerve damage. The medical team made the difficult decision to leave the bullet in place, determining that attempting to remove it would cause more harm than good. Mercedes was left with a complex injury pattern: her left side affected by Brown-Sequard syndrome, leaving it numb but functional, while her right side retained feeling but suffered extensive nerve damage affecting her leg and hand mobility.
After spending several days in the ICU at North Kansas City Hospital and about a week recovering from her initial injuries, Mercedes was transferred to MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital, where her real journey of recovery would begin. At that point, she couldn’t move either of her legs at all, and the future seemed uncertain.
“I definitely had days that I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get up and do the therapy that day,” Mercedes recalled, reflecting on those early, dark moments when grief and physical trauma intersected. “But I just pushed myself and made myself do it.”
At MidAmerica, Mercedes was immediately embraced by a comprehensive rehabilitation program designed specifically for spinal cord injuries. The staff quickly recognized not just her physical needs, but the emotional weight she carried. Having lost her son in the same incident that left her fighting to regain basic mobility, Mercedes needed more than just physical therapy; she also needed compassion, understanding, and hope.
“The staff was great,” Mercedes emphasized. “They were very compassionate about my situation and everything. I really appreciated that.”
Her rehabilitation team at MidAmerica crafted a personalized treatment plan that included both physical and occupational therapy. The facility’s state-of-the-art equipment and innovative approaches to spinal cord rehabilitation became instrumental in Mercedes’ recovery. One of the most remarkable aspects of her treatment involved the use of an Exoskeleton, which is an advanced robotic technology that helps patients with spinal cord injuries relearn walking patterns and rebuild strength.
The results began to show remarkably quickly. What started as paralysis in both legs began to transform into movement, then strength, and then ultimately hope. Mercedes’ therapists were amazed by her rapid progress, though she modestly attributes much of her success to their expertise and encouragement.
“I feel like I made a lot of progress,” she said. “Everyone was surprised how well I was doing and everything. They said I moved quicker than they expected.”
During her weeks as an inpatient at MidAmerica, Mercedes progressed from complete leg paralysis to regaining significant mobility. The facility’s holistic approach to rehabilitation that addressed not just the physical aspects of recovery but also providing emotional support during an incredibly difficult time proved invaluable.
Allie Ruoff, Physical Therapy Assistant with Mercedes and Lauren Gleason, Occupational Therapist.
By her discharge on April 4th, Mercedes had made what many would consider miraculous progress. She left MidAmerica in a wheelchair but continued her outpatient therapy at Ability KC, working with a physical therapist who had previously worked with her at MidAmerica, a testament to the strong professional networks and continuity of care that MidAmerica fosters.
Today, just months after an incident that could have left her permanently paralyzed, Mercedes walks with a cane. Her goal is ambitious but achievable: to be walking independently by the end of the year. Given her remarkable progress thus far, few would bet against her.
“I’m hoping maybe by the end of the year,” she indicated with quiet determination, the same strength that has carried her through unimaginable loss and physical challenges.
Mercedes’ story exemplifies what MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital does best, which is taking patients at their most vulnerable moments and providing not just medical expertise, but genuine compassion and hope. For someone dealing with both catastrophic injury and profound loss, the facility’s staff understood that Mercedes’ healing required more than just physical therapy.
“Overall, I had a great experience,” Mercedes reflected. “MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital is a great place to go.”
While Mercedes continues her recovery journey, supported by what she describes as “a great support system” of family and friends, her experience at MidAmerica represents a crucial turning point. In a place where many patients face uncertain futures, Mercedes found the tools, support, and belief she needed to transform tragedy into a story of remarkable resilience, and it’s been a page-turner so far.
Her journey from uncertain paralysis to walking with a cane in just months stands as a powerful testament to both human determination and the exceptional care provided at MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital, where hope and healing intersect seamlessly, even in life’s darkest moments.
For more information about rehabilitation services at MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital, visit their website at encompasshealth.com or call their Overland Park location at 913.491.2400.
