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.
30 Quality-of-life Programs
Quality-of-life Programs 31
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