CUE “POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE.” Wednesday, September 20, marked graduation day for me. After six months of vestibular rehab therapy at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Faribault, I graduated.
It was a milestone day for me in managing the neurological issues I’ve faced following a *viral infection in early January. Twenty-one therapy sessions later and I’m much-improved. Not cured. Not fixed. Not all better. I’ll never be the same as I was pre-virus. But, through targeted therapy exercises, a lot of hard work and simply easing back into life, I’ve built my tolerance for everyday experiences. I can better handle sensory input. I can walk without feeling unbalanced. I can manage beyond sitting in a room with the curtains drawn to shut out light, windows closed to keep out noise.
I still have challenging days. I still struggle. But I am in a much better place than even a month ago.
And so I graduated. Not because I wanted to leave Courage Kenny and my incredibly knowledgeable, supportive and caring therapist. But Ryan and I mutually agreed that I was ready. And so he asked, on that final day together, whether he should cue “Pomp and Circumstance” on his laptop, the same laptop he used to introduce me to virtual reality roller coasters as part of my therapy. I told him we could pass on the music. And I am happy to pass on roller coaster rides.
But I did bring celebratory homemade carrot cake cupcakes with homemade cream cheese frosting. Ryan laughed when I walked through the door carrying that box of cupcakes to share with the Courage Kenny team. When I’d asked the week prior if we would have graduation cake, he said only if I brought it. So I did, along with a thank you card and homemade chocolate chip cookies for this professional who worked tirelessly to improve my health. I always felt like we were a team.
And now, like any new graduate, I hold the knowledge and tools that will help me handle daily living. I participated in class (kinda hard not to when you’re the only student). I did the assigned homework each week. I followed through by getting back into the real world, sometimes failing in my efforts, sometimes succeeding. I’ve done my best, through tears and discouragement and struggles, to rise above the challenges. And now I’ve graduated. Onward.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
* Even though I self-tested negative twice for COVID in January, my primary care doctor believes I had COVID, the cause of my multiple, ongoing neurological issues.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Way to go! Hope you continue to feel better and better.
Thank you, Rose. And I hope the same for you in your health journey.
Woohoo! What a great feeling to graduate! Happy graduation AND Happy Birthday as well!
Thank you for the graduation AND birthday wishes, my friend! 🙂
You are clearly the valedictorian. I love your speech and what a difference 6 months can make.
Interesting you should call me that as I was the salutatorian of my high school graduating class, oh, so many decades ago. Yes, what a difference six months of intense therapy and hard work can make. I am grateful to Ryan at Courage Kenny.
I had a feeling… and here’s to Ryan and the team
🙂
Congratulations, Audrey. I’m so glad that you’re feeling better! ❤
Thank you, Penny. I take one day at a time.
Woo hoo!!! That’s terrific news! So happy for the improvements you’ve seen and still praying for even more as time goes by. Yay!
Thank you for your enthusiastic encouragement, my dear Gretchen.
Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you, Beth. By sharing, I hope I can help someone else who may be experiencing similar health issues.
Congratulations! My certificate of completion from vision therapy is hanging on my bulletin board. I’m very happy for you!
Thank you, Janell. I know you’ve dealt with a lot. I will be reaching out to you about your vision therapy as I would like to know more about that. I am seeing a neuro ophthalmologist in late October about vision issues.
Congratulations on your graduation. You worked hard to get where you are.
Valerie, thank you for recognizing the hard work I’ve done to get to this point. And thanks for your congratulations.
CONGRATS!!! You have had such a SUPPORTIVE Team helping you through this and will continue to be there for you when needed too. Happy Day Indeed – ENJOY 🙂
Truly, couldn’t have done this without the support of so many, including wonderful blog readers like you. Thank you!
This is great news! I hope you continue to have improvement in the future. You sure had unusual reaction to the virus.
Next up: a visit with a neuro ophthalmologist to deal with my vision issues. My brain and eyes just are not working together.