Learn more about our donor impact in FY25.
Restoring What Matters Most Your Impact in Fiscal Year 2025
February 2026
Dear Friends,
Once again, I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the impact your generosity has made possible at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). I’m reminded that your support is not only an investment in our hospital — it’s an investment in people. It’s an investment in patients and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives — and in the dreams they hold for the future. Insurance may cover the therapies that restore movement, speech and function. But it is your philanthropy that opens the door to something even deeper: hope, purpose, belonging, confidence. Through adaptive sports, spiritual care, therapeutic recreation, vocational rehabilitation and so many other programs that insurance typically doesn’t cover, you give patients the chance to explore their potential, embrace their courage and discover the greatness within themselves. You made it possible for Mitch (pictured here and on the cover) to do exactly that. A former firefighter, Mitch sustained a spinal cord injury after a diving accident and became paralyzed from the chest down. While physical medicine and rehabilitation care were essential for Mitch, it was donor-funded quality-of-life programs that helped reshape his future. Mitch threw himself into adaptive sports — first as an inpatient and now as a member of our adaptive rugby team. He even served as team captain for a season. Competing on the team has revealed strengths he’d always had but never fully recognized. His wife, Sarah, says she has watched him grow as a person, a leader and a partner. Together, they have built a full, vibrant life — celebrating milestones like their wedding and, recently, the birth of their daughter. In the pages ahead, you’ll find more stories of courage and healing — of patients who have reclaimed their lives, rediscovered their passions and reconnected with the world around them. Thank you for making it all possible.
With appreciation for your partnership,
Karen Paciero Chief Advancement Officer President, Keystone Board
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Research .............................................................. 6 Our Translational Research Model of Care.................7 Catalyst Grants: Employee-driven Innovation........... 10
Education .......................................................... 12
Quality-of-life Programs ..................................... 14 Adaptive Fitness.................................................. 15 Adaptive Sports................................................... 17 Sports for Kids..................................................... 18 Aphasia Community Groups.................................20 Caring for Our Community....................................22 Ethics. ................................................................ 24 Global Patient Services.........................................25 LIFE Center..........................................................26 Spiritual Care.......................................................28 Therapeutic Recreation.........................................29 Vocational Rehabilitation.......................................30
Impact Guide
What’s Next . ..................................................... 32
Thank You . ........................................................ 34
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Our Translational Research Model of Care
Research
200 Shirley Ryan AbilityLab research projects and clinical trials were underway, all promising to bring about better patient outcomes. With 45 principal investigators, we are one of the largest rehabilitation research organizations in the world, featuring:
$188M research portfolio 45 principal investigators Our clinicians and research scientists are uniquely skilled at collaboration and work toward shortening the time between scientific discovery and implementation. This integration of medicine and science fuels better, faster patient recoveries. In FY25, our research enterprise continued to thrive despite challenges within the broader scientific climate. More than
• 250+ research team members • 200+ active research studies
• $11.7M+ in average grant applications submitted monthly by our investigators • $188M research portfolio
Research 7
Research Spotlight: Transforming Stroke Rehabilitation Through Smart Technology
Driving the Future of Personalized Rehabilitation
Every year, millions of stroke survivors fight to regain mobility, independence and confidence. Yet, predicting recovery and tailoring therapy to each individual remain some of the greatest challenges in modern rehabilitation. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab research scientists are working to close that gap. This past year, a research team led by Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD, scientific chair of technology and innovation, completed the development of a groundbreaking innovation: the “stroke sensor toolkit” (SST). By combining wearable sensors with artificial intelligence, the SST captures objective information about a patient’s progress — moving beyond subjective assessments and bringing data-driven
The SST represents the future of stroke rehabilitation — a future that redefines how we measure, monitor and predict recovery after stroke. Its potential impact extends beyond hospitals, offering broad solutions for community rehabilitation programs, telehealth integration and large-scale research on stroke recovery patterns. Thanks to your support of this research, you’ve enabled our scientists to create an evidence-based, scalable technology that is poised to change care trajectories for stroke survivors.
precision to stroke rehabilitation. A Smarter, Simpler Way to Measure Recovery
The SST uses three lightweight, easy-to- wear sensors that record motion while patients perform simple movements like sitting, standing and walking. The system automatically analyzes the data and displays results on an intuitive clinical dashboard. The technology’s benefits are boundless. The SST can detect subtle gait impairments that often go unnoticed in conventional tests. Also, by studying early recovery patterns, it can predict longer- term outcomes, such as mobility and independence — which will enable clinicians to personalize therapy plans and optimize patient recoveries.
This SST research participant is wearing three lightweight sensors, two on the neck and one on the arm. The sensors collect data while the participant performs simple movements, which can be used to predict longer-term patient outcomes and enable clinicians to personalize therapy plans for stroke survivors.
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Research 9
Catalyst Grants: Employee-driven Innovation
Developing a Sensor System to Support Safe Recovery in Patients With Lower- extremity Weight-bearing Restrictions The research team will create and test a portable, waterproof sensor system that fits inside a shoe to deliver real-time feedback on how much weight a person puts on their legs while standing and walking. The system aims to help patients with lower-limb injuries recover more safely and achieve better outcomes. Performance & Rating System for Golfers With Disabilities This project will develop objective, data- driven criteria for classifying golfers with impairments using motion analysis and simulator outcomes to assess ability level and eligibility for Paralympic golf competition. Creating a Recovery Calculator for Spinal Cord Injury This project will help develop and test a new tool for doctors and therapists that uses data to predict recovery after a spinal cord injury. The calculator will help guide rehabilitation planning and give individual patients a clearer idea of what to expect during their journey.
56 applications 223 employees
The Sheli Z. and Burton X. Rosenberg Catalyst Grant Program awards different levels of funding for the most promising employee-driven research pilot projects. All projects use the model of pairing clinicians and other team members with scientists to improve something — for instance, a patient treatment, a device, a nursing protocol, data collection, even an operating system. Catalyst Grants are available at four different levels, with specific requirements matching the complexity, required expertise and cost of the project. Recently awarded projects include: Investigating the Impact of Hormones on the Brain, Movement & Fatigue in Women With Multiple Sclerosis (MS) This study will examine how changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle affect movement, the ability to learn new physical skills and feelings of fatigue. The goal is to help create more personalized and effective rehabilitation plans for women with MS.
Improving Swallowing Outcomes in Patients After Stroke Swallowing may seem simple but, for stroke survivors, it can become a complex and frustrating challenge. Traditional rehabilitation focuses on building muscle strength and movement — but swallowing is more than that. It’s a finely coordinated skill involving multiple structures working in harmony. With Catalyst Grant support, a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab team developed a new skills- based approach to improve swallowing: EAT‑STARS (Effort, Accuracy, Timing – Skill Training Applied to Rehabilitation in Swallowing). This innovative program uses surface electromyography visual biofeedback, which allows patients to see and refine their muscle activity in real time. Patients learn to swallow more effectively through repetition, progressive refinement and accurate performance of swallowing tasks — rather than through muscle strengthening alone. Early testing has been promising. Patients in the pilot program experienced significant improvements in swallowing ability and quality of life. Now, the team is sharing the results through national conferences and publications, laying the groundwork for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and potentially others in the field, to adopt this protocol and improve swallowing and overall patient experience after stroke.
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Investing in Our People
with mentorship, education and research opportunities. This program enables our leaders to grow as experts as they facilitate the best outcomes for patients. Support for staff education and professional development is fueled by donors who recognize the importance of attracting and retaining the most talented and passionate professionals to advance our organization and field and — most importantly — to best serve our patients.
29 education programs 5 disciplines 3 specialized trainings Shirley Ryan AbilityLab fosters a unique culture where every employee, regardless of their role, plays a part in patients’ recovery journeys. Through our professional development program, we ensure our leaders — in both clinical and non-clinical roles — are equipped
Education
Donor Spotlight: The Spalding Family Champions Our Team
His company helped create hundreds of rooftop gardens worldwide — including our hospital’s. Additionally, for years, his office in Chicago overlooked our Adaptive Sports & Fitness Center, where he quietly witnessed the transformative impact of our program on participants. The family’s support continues to reverberate today. In FY25, it funded 29 continuing education programs dedicated to advancing clinical skills, research, education and leadership. Through the Spalding Scholars, our team members have opportunities to grow, lead and advance the field — and to deliver exceptional patient care.
Among these champions are Betsy and David Spalding, whose generosity helped our allied health, nursing and leadership development program, a cornerstone of our professional development initiative. Their investment reflects a shared belief: that ongoing training is essential to delivering care at the highest level. David and Betsy’s connection to our hospital spans decades — and their generosity reflects a deep commitment to those who care for our patients. Betsy began her career here as a physical therapist, working with us in our earliest days, and formed lasting bonds with colleagues and patients alike. David, an engineer by trade, made his mark globally as an early innovator of waterproofing and roofing products.
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Adaptive Fitness
We offer 19 inclusive group classes each week — from aquatic fitness to seated yoga — to motivate and challenge fitness at every level. Our classes are led by certified instructors in a welcoming, supportive environment and offer the perfect blend of community and personal fitness. Through our Goldman Functional Fitness Program, participants receive individualized guidance from degreed exercise physiologists, with 8,456 one-on-one sessions delivered in FY25. These tailored sessions focus on improving an individual’s neuromotor fitness, functional ability level, ease of performing activities of daily living and overall quality of life — thus increasing their likelihood of physical independence.
8,456 one-on-one sessions 259 new members 19 weekly fitness classes Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Adaptive Sports & Fitness Center features a well-equipped, accessible gym designed for people of all abilities. In our adaptive fitness program, members keep active and achieve their goals by participating in offerings such as modified group classes as well as private functional fitness training. In FY25, the adaptive fitness program served 259 new members, with participants ranging from ages 12 to 96.
Quality-of-life Programs
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Adaptive Sports
Meet Erica: Women’s Sled Hockey Pioneer & Gold Medalist
This year, 38 active-duty service members and veterans participated in our two military sport camps, with all costs — flights, lodging, meals, transportation, instruction and program fees — completely covered. In addition, 62 kids participated in our spring-break and summer sports camps held in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Thanks to your support, we also introduced 708 patients to a variety of adaptive sports at our offsite locations across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Through these sports experience days, participants were able to use adaptive sports equipment — enjoying and benefiting from the opportunities that sports provide.
509 participants 12 sports
You never know what can happen when you give kids the opportunity to play adaptive sports. You could be supporting a future gold medalist.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab continues to offer Chicago’s most comprehensive adaptive sports program, with year-round competitive and recreational sports opportunities for youth and adults living with a physical impairment. In FY25, our adaptive sports program served 509 adult participants across 12 sports programs and four sports clinics. Of those athletes, 96 participated in team sports, including sled hockey, as well as wheelchair basketball, rugby and softball.
Years ago, Erica was one of those kids.
She was born with sacral agenesis — a congenital disorder in which the lower spine and parts of the legs do not fully develop. But, her condition never kept her from being active. She began playing sled hockey when she was 9 years old. In high school, Erica discovered the Tengelsen Family Foundation Sports for Kids program at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. She found a community of peers and took part in unforgettable adventures — canoeing down the Colorado River, scuba diving and river rafting. “These programs change lives,” she said. “Shirley Ryan AbilityLab gave me opportunities that would have been financially impossible otherwise — training, competing, Through the program, she learned about Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s adult sled hockey team and began attending practices weekly, even before she was old enough to join. At 18, she made the team — becoming its only female player and eventually its captain. traveling and making lifelong friends along the way. I’m so grateful for these experiences.”
Despite her talent, Erica was denied a spot on the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team in 2007 as it only accepted male players. She channeled her heartbreak into founding the U.S. Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team and began advocating for equity in the sport. At the same time, she earned her degree in recreational therapy and began working as a special education aide in a high school. In August 2025, after nearly two decades of hard work, Erica achieved one of her dreams: winning gold at the first-ever World Para Ice Hockey Women’s Championship. She credits Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s adaptive sports programs for making it possible.
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Sports for Kids
Meet Ione: Discovering Her Potential Through Adaptive Sports
In FY25, the Tengelsen Family Foundation Sports for Kids Program provided adaptive sports and fitness offerings to 122 children across eight sports. In addition, the Souder Family Foundation funded an adaptive scuba trip for five divers.
122 children participated 8 sports
At age 10, Ione is a developing athlete with a huge personality and an even bigger smile. She first came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for gait camp, a multi-week summer program focused on building strength, mobility and endurance. Ione’s results from gait camp were astonishing, so she continued physical therapy and was eventually introduced to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s adaptive sports program. By participating, Ione not only has found an opportunity to play sports, but she also has found a community. While she has tried many programs, including adaptive judo, rock climbing, wheelchair basketball and adaptive sailing, her favorite experience is adaptive sports camp, offered in the summer. “You get to try two different sports each day,” Ione said. “I climbed to the top of the climbing wall at Maggie Daley Park, I’ve been able to meet members of the Chicago Cubs, and I’ve made a lot of friends, too. My favorite sport from adaptive sports camp has been adaptive sled hockey.” Greg and Jennifer, Ione’s parents, have seen her confidence and self-esteem soar. “Ione’s involvement in adaptive sports has been a boost to her pride and determination,” they said. “She believes in herself and knows that she can do anything. As parents, that is a beautiful sight to see in your child.”
Thanks to your support, our Chicago Skyhawks junior wheelchair basketball team athletes enjoyed a spring break to remember. They attended the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign. They also toured the university’s Rehabilitation Education Center, part of its Disability Resources and Educational Services, to learn about college admissions, accommodations and campus support for students with disabilities. For our athletes nearing high school graduation, this trip offered a powerful glimpse into life as college student-athletes. We hope to make this a recurring opportunity — connecting teens with mentors and helping them set meaningful goals for college and beyond through adaptive sports.
Thank you for giving kids like Ione the chance to learn, play and thrive.
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Aphasia Community Groups
Meet Jose: Healing Through Conversation & Connection
groups, book clubs, film discussion groups, aphasia advocacy groups, an aphasia choir and supported volunteer opportunities. In FY25, a new, ongoing Spanish conversation group was established as well. Programs run on a weekly basis and are facilitated by speech-language pathologists and trained volunteers. In FY25, the aphasia community groups provided enriching activities for 131 participants from 16 states. In addition, participants performed 325 hours of service to local nonprofit organizations. To celebrate National Aphasia Awareness Month, the Center hosted a series of special events, including our annual June Aphasia Day, which highlighted the use of technology to support communication. We also welcomed author Janet Skeslien Charles for a virtual visit to discuss “The Paris Library,” a featured book club selection.
635 sessions 131 participants
Wednesdays and Thursdays are Jose’s favorite days of the week. That’s when he participates in our aphasia conversation groups. The topics may sound simple — weekend plans, a favorite TV show, a recent vacation. Most people would call it small talk. But, for someone who has lost the ability to communicate due to post-stroke aphasia, there is no such thing as small talk. Every word is a victory. Every conversation is meaningful. In 2022, Jose was at his home in Chicago’s western suburbs when he fell and couldn’t get up — or speak. The 41-year-old had a stroke and spent a week in acute care before participating in intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s Arlington Heights DayRehab Center ® . The stroke left Jose with many physical challenges, but losing his ability to speak and express himself hurt the most. His wife, Sandra, recalled, “He couldn’t tell us what he needed or how he felt. Doctor appointments were especially difficult. He would get frustrated when he couldn’t explain what was wrong or answer questions. It broke my heart to see him try so hard.” Jose had to start over — relearning to speak, read and write in both English and Spanish. Through patience, hard work and family support, he slowly regained his voice and his confidence. Our aphasia community groups have played a key role, especially the conversation groups. Jose has found a supportive space where he feels safe and accepted. He also has made meaningful
Aphasia is a condition that can occur suddenly after a stroke or brain injury and impacts a person’s ability to speak, to understand language and to read and write. Communication opportunities for people living with aphasia are crucial, enabling them to maintain social connections, participate in their community, express their needs and thoughts, and maintain a sense of dignity and quality of life. The Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment offers programs that give participants the opportunity to practice communication, meet others living with aphasia, learn and have fun in a supportive
Thank you for helping people like Jose rebuild confidence, rediscover joy and reclaim their voices.
environment. In-person and virtual programming includes conversation
connections with his peers. “Without Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, I wouldn’t have the chance to make new friends,” he said. He enjoys discussing cars, sports and his hobbies — crafting, photography and building model cars. The small talk that most people take for granted offers a vital connection for him. “These groups have given him more than just speech practice,” said Sandra. “They’ve given him hope, friendship, confidence and a reason to smile again. Every session reminds him that he’s not alone and that recovery is possible.”
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Caring for Our Community
Meet Yami: How Your Support Helped Her Take Big Steps Forward
In FY25, the hospital provided $20 million in unreimbursed care to 1,650 pediatric and 3,827 adult patients. Your generous support helps low-income residents live better and healthier lives. For our most vulnerable patients, you ensure that their health and future is not determined by their family’s financial circumstances.
$20M provided 5,477 patients benefited Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is dedicated to providing the highest quality patient care, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Patients in need receive access to the full range of inpatient, outpatient and day rehabilitation services, as well as the creation and fitting of prosthetic limbs and orthotic braces; participation in recreational therapy; and use of assistive technology.
Like many 10-year-olds, Yami enjoys playing outside, riding her scooter, swimming and listening to music. But, unlike most kids, she faces chronic health challenges that can make it hard to keep up with her peers — physically and socially. Born with a chromosomal abnormality that left her with underdeveloped lungs, low muscle tone and a curved spine, Yami started coming to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for physical and occupational therapy at age 3. Over time, she’s made great progress: she walks more steadily, climbs stairs on her own and no longer needs a tracheostomy tube to breathe. This past summer, Yami’s care team saw an opportunity for her to build on the success she’d had in individual therapy by practicing those skills alongside other children in our Stride Through Summer Mini Movers Gait Camp. Though the camp would provide clear physical and social benefits, Yami’s insurance didn’t cover her participation. Fortunately, your support of our charity care fund covered the cost, and Yami was able to attend the camp. She thrived in the group atmosphere, pushed herself to work hard and even made a new friend. After four weeks, she had improved her walking speed, endurance and independence. When she returned to school this fall, she could participate in activities with less difficulty by drawing on skills she learned in camp. Yami’s experience at camp didn’t just improve her physical abilities — it boosted her confidence in ways that reached beyond
Your generosity gives patients like Yami access to the care and specialty programs that help them thrive — regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Thank you!
therapy. When she joined our adaptive swim program this fall, she walked in smiling — not shy or unsure, but excited to see two familiar faces from camp. Because of you, she felt ready, comfortable and eager to dive in.
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Ethics
Global Patient Services
who come to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for our best-in-class care. We received 236 international inquiries from 45 countries and provided care for 81 international patients from 19 countries. Through our family and patient housing program, we also provided accommodations for 255 families from 35 states.
understand these challenges, address the risks and benefits of available treatment options, and advocate for the values and preferences of patients and families. In FY25, our ethicists conducted 194 patient and staff consultations. The program also engaged more than 2,700 staff, trainees and professionals through tailored educational seminars and specific programs on ethics dilemmas that arise in clinical and research settings.
255
194 patient and staff consultations
family housing accommodations provided
2,700 professional consultations
19 countries Global Patient Services (GPS) helps coordinate care and manage logistics for patients from other states and countries
At Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, patients, families and their medical teams often face complex, dynamic and life-altering decisions. The Donnelley Ethics Program team works to
Ethics in Action: Navigating Advance Directives
make decisions fluctuated due to cognitive impairments stemming from the injury. Acting as his surrogate decision-maker, his wife agreed to inpatient rehabilitation. A few days into his stay at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, she discovered the AD and shared it with his care team. Our ethicists stepped in to help interpret the document and guide the team on how best to honor his previously stated wishes. They collaborated closely with his wife and medical providers to assess his decision-making capacity and understand his values. In a lucid moment, the patient said he wanted to continue rehabilitation — a pivotal insight that helped shape his care and reassured his family and clinical team. This case, previously published in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Journal, underscores the importance of having experienced ethicists available to support patients and families through complex decisions.
An advance directive (AD) is a legal document that allows individuals to express their preferences for medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves. But, what happens when a patient’s condition changes in unexpected ways, or when their wishes are open to interpretation? That’s where our ethics program plays a vital role in helping families and care teams navigate these complex situations. One such case involved an 86-year-old man with serious heart and lung conditions. Following a discussion with his cardiologist, he completed an AD stating he did not want long-term ventilator support nor a tracheostomy in the future. A year later, the man fell from a ladder and sustained a traumatic brain injury. Emergency room doctors intubated him and later placed both a tracheostomy and a feeding tube to keep him alive. His recovery was uncertain, and his ability to
Thanks to your support, our ethics program ensures patient voices are heard, even when they cannot speak for themselves.
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LIFE Center
Meet Kevin: How Your Generosity Helps Families Cope
In FY25, LIFE Center educators reached 3,808 patients, family members, caregivers and children through in-person, customized education sessions that focused on quality of life following discharge. A team of 36 peer mentors shared their lived experiences with 1,458 patients, family and staff. Online, the LIFE Center reached people from 188 countries, with more than 14,000 page views per month.
3,808 individuals reached 188 countries reached The Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center continued to offer the most comprehensive collection of educational resources for people living with a wide range of cognitive and physical impairments, chronic conditions and diseases affecting function. Through its services, the LIFE Center promotes learning, innovation, family and empowerment. Resources are always available free of charge, thanks to you.
Last spring, Terry and Bob’s son, Kevin, sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after falling down the stairs in his Delaware home. After 10 weeks in intensive care at a local trauma center, the 47-year-old was moved to the neurological step-down unit. It soon became clear that the facility did not have the specialized care that Kevin required. His wife, Nichol, searched online for experts in complex brain injury recovery and found Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Here, Terry and Bob found more than expert medical care for their son — they discovered a community that cared for them, too. With a daily schedule and collaborative treatment plan, they were able to participate in Kevin’s recovery while also taking time to rest, confident he was in good hands. The Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center played a pivotal role in their experience. An educator provided tailored resources that helped them better understand Kevin’s condition. They also were invited to join the weekly caregiver support group, where they connected with others facing similar challenges. These sessions offered emotional support and practical guidance, helping them navigate complex decisions and feel less alone. Through ongoing conversations with LIFE Center staff, Terry and Bob gained a deeper understanding about TBI and how to support Kevin’s healing. They appreciated having trusted experts who could address their questions and concerns, and they valued the genuine care shown to them as individuals.
Thanks to your generosity, families like Terry and Bob’s receive not only world- class medical care for their loved ones, but also the knowledge, compassion and community they need to heal.
“The LIFE Center team embraced Kevin, but they embraced us as caregivers, too,” Terry said. “The kindness and compassion we received was incredible.” Bob added, “Sometimes we feel lost and frustrated, but we know that we have someone to turn to if we have a question or a problem. What the LIFE Center staff does is invaluable.”
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Spiritual Care
Therapeutic Recreation
professional. In the last year, chaplains of different faiths were available, seven days a week, to provide inclusive spiritual assessment for 3,624 patients and 3,568 family members of 11+ faith identities. Encounters included faith counseling, family support and intervention, crisis intervention, grief counseling, pastoral care and other complementary therapies, including meditation and progressive- relaxation groups.
In FY25, our therapists led 9,945 therapeutic recreation interactions with patients, including creative and leisure- based interventions through art, music and recreational therapy. Programming also featured practical community reintegration outings, including using public transit and air-travel training.
9,945 patient interactions
3,624 patients supported 3,568 family members supported Spiritual care is always available for inpatients, families and staff at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to meet the variety of spiritual needs that can arise after sustaining a traumatic injury, living with a chronic illness or serving as a frontline healthcare
Therapeutic recreation helps patients build on skills from other therapies, resume previous recreational interests or learn new ones. It also offers participants social outlets and opportunities to just relax and have fun. This type of therapeutic leisure programming nurtures body and spirit, and helps patients advance in their healing journeys.
Meet DeMarcus: Finding Healing, Hope & Creative Inspiration in Art Therapy
Ever since he was a child, DeMarcus has been fascinated by Chicago’s skyline. A self-taught artist, he channeled his love of architecture into creating detailed cityscape drawings. For years, he pursued art while supporting himself in various industrial jobs. He had just started a new job when his foot was crushed by a 5,000-pound piece of steel. After three surgeries and the amputation of his left leg below the knee, DeMarcus came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for inpatient rehabilitation. The road to recovery was paved with challenges. Phantom limb pain, headaches and physical exhaustion tested his limits. DeMarcus credits the compassion and expertise of his integrated care team for helping him cope. His physical therapists helped him build strength and learn to walk with a custom prosthetic leg. Chaplains from spiritual care offered words of encouragement and hope. A psychologist supported him
in processing his emotions, and art therapy provided him with a creative outlet to channel his feelings and heal in ways beyond words. After inpatient care, DeMarcus completed 12 months of outpatient rehabilitation. He continues to focus on rebuilding his strength, staying active and engaging in positive activities — like art.
Quality-of-life Programs 29
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Meet Danny: Step by Step, He Returns to Work After Stroke
Program staff also responded to 692 referrals for additional support services, which included: • One-on-one counseling • Return-to-work evaluations and job analyses • Assistance with navigating disability policies and workplace accommodations • Work trial assessments or internships Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers the only hospital-based vocational rehabilitation program in Illinois providing this level of assistance.
692 referrals
When Danny had a stroke in July 2024, his life changed overnight. He suddenly found himself unable to do things he once did without thinking. His early days were marked by dizziness, headaches, short-term memory loss and trouble speaking. His limbs were weak and numb, and he couldn’t maintain his balance. After 30 days in acute care, Danny came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for intensive outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy. At first, he felt scared and overwhelmed by the amount of hard work ahead of him. “I had a major brain injury and couldn’t imagine how I would get back to where I was before the stroke,” he said. “It was hard to comprehend.” Danny soon learned to trust the expertise of his care team, and, over seven months of hard work, he achieved the top goals he set for himself — the ability to walk, independence in his daily activities, and improved speech and memory. “Recovery takes time. Be patient with yourself.
Our vocational rehabilitation program promotes equal access to employment for patients and community members who have lost ability due to serious injuries or chronic conditions. In FY25, counselors connected 64 individuals with jobs suited to their ability levels and assisted seven individuals with returning to school.
Thank you for helping Danny and other patients regain a
sense of purpose and pride through meaningful work.
Danny started with 10 hours a week, slowly building to full time as his stamina and confidence returned. To help ease the transition, his vocational rehabilitation counselor and employer collaborated to design tasks aligned with Danny’s abilities and created a work schedule that allowed for ongoing therapy. Today, Danny is back to work on a full-time schedule. Some days are still challenging — but he remains determined. “I hope that sharing my story helps others,” he said.
Trust your therapists. The work pays off.”
Yet one goal loomed large: returning to his career in office operations. A counselor from our vocational rehabilitation team helped Danny apply for disability benefits and coordinated with his employer to create a phased return-to-work plan.
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Expanding Psychosocial Support for Patients in DayRehab & Outpatient Care
What’s Next
In FY25, we launched a pilot program to expand psychosocial support for underserved and underinsured patients. We added dedicated staff in social work and psychology services to our Streeterville DayRehab Center ® , Homewood DayRehab Center ® and outpatient clinics in our flagship hospital, allowing us to better serve patients who previously had little or no access to these services. Understanding that even modest psychosocial support can significantly improve recovery outcomes, expanding this vital program is critical. We envision a future where every patient — regardless of insurance status — receives the full spectrum of care needed to heal and thrive.
Psychological support and social work services are vital to recovery, helping patients adjust to life-changing conditions and connecting them to essential resources — from transportation and home care to medical equipment and community-assistance programs. Yet, these services are often underfunded. Many insurance plans offer limited coverage for psychological support, and Medicaid provides none. Social work services are not reimbursed at all. While Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers comprehensive psychosocial care for inpatients, our ability to provide these services for patients in DayRehab and outpatient settings has been limited.
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What’s Next 33
You Make the Impossible Possible
Your generosity shaped FY25 in extraordinary ways, enabling us to continue providing a vast array of services and programs to our patients and the larger community we serve. Thriving looks different for everyone — whether it’s making friends at camp, returning to work with new confidence after a stroke or winning a gold medal after discovering adaptive sports. Thank you for helping our patients rediscover who they are and imagine who they can become.
Thank You
Thank You 35
355 East Erie Street Advancement, 10-2145 Chicago, IL 60611 312.238.1000 sralab.org
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