Donna’s Determination

Donna, pictured here, has been building up her leg strength by standing. She uses the exercise bar attached to the wall and has two staff members from the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome available to assist her to make sure she is safe.

When these pictures were taken, Donna, both staff members, and two other residents of the SmartHome loudly counted to 20 while Donna stood. During and after each repetition, there was a lot of support and cheering from those who were present. Donna stood about four times while everyone counted to 20, then she requested trying it for 30 seconds, and she did. Alex, one of the SmartHome counselors, told us that Donna has stood while holding onto the exercise bar for up to 50 seconds.

Donna said it is her goal to be able to walk again someday. It will be a long road, but as Donna said in a recent blog post, “Now that I’m here in the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, I can do almost everything.”

Donna is preparing to pull herself up to a standing position with Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome
Residential Counselor Alex on her left and Site Supervisor Chantelle on her right.

Donna celebrates after standing for 20 seconds.