Kaweah Health Rehabilitation Hospital Opens New Mobility Park

When you are relearning how to walk, sometimes it's the grass that trips you up and sometimes it's the rocks. Kaweah Health Rehabilitation Hospital's new mobility course, which had a ribbon-cutting on September 16, helps patients who have had life-altering injuries learn how to maneuver through various types of terrain.

"For older adults especially, mobility involves more than just walking on flat, controlled surfaces," said Molly Niederreiter, director of Rehabilitation and Skilled Services at Kaweah Health. "The mobility training course is an essential resource for lowering fall risks and helping patients return to normal life in their community.

"It's not only helpful for those recovering from major events like strokes or accidents but also for patients healing from elective surgeries, such as hip or knee replacements," she said.

Funded by Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, the mobility training course features river rock, gravel, brick walkways, flagstone, pebbles, crushed rock, turf, curbs and various ramps.

This practice area will allow patients to safely develop the skills needed to navigate hazardous terrains while walking or using a wheelchair, all under the guidance of Kaweah Health's skilled medical professionals.

After 30 years of serving the community, Kaweah Health is an expert in the field of acute rehabilitation, said Niederreiter.

"This is another tool in our toolbox to help us provide evidenced based interventions tailored to meet the needs of each individual," she said. "We thank Maison Law for helping make this happen."

By building confidence and practical experience, the Maison Law Mobility Training Course at Kaweah Health empowers patients to regain their independence and resume their normal lives beyond the hospital's walls.

Kaweah Health CEO Gary Herbst pointed out how special the Rehabilitation Hospital is with all the different care offered inside, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

"If you don't believe in miracles, just come here," Herbst said. "What our physical therapists are able to achieve is miraculous."

Martin Gasparian, Esq. with Maison Law said his firm likes to focus on prevention with its community donations, but that isn't always possible.

"If we can't prevent accidents, we thought helping people get through all the physical difficulties following one would be the next best thing," Gasparian said.