When Michel Vieux was first admitted to the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami, he required 10 liters of oxygen to breathe, his resting heartrate was very high, and he was entirely dependent on medical assistance for daily activities. But his own resolve changed the course of the story.
It began earlier this year. Vieux and his wife had just finished enjoying a two-week vacation to Alaska when his health took a sudden downward turn. While traveling back home, Vieux’s asthma began to flare, his condition growing so serious that he had to be hospitalized immediately upon return. He reached a point of respiratory failure, which left him in critical condition. Vieux went on to spend the next three months in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with mechanical ventilation for breathing and a PEG tube for feeding.
But he did not give in or give up. Despite being unable to adjust himself in bed or eat regularly, he maintained a positive attitude, believing he could accomplish anything with hard work.
With time and awe-inspiring determination, Vieux began to tolerate sitting on the side of the bed, moving his arms and legs, swallowing with electrical stimulation and, ultimately, therapy outside of bed. He went on to make monumental functional improvements, including, but not limited to: walking with a walker, eating a regular consistent diet, and fulfilling daily activities with minimal assistance.
Unsurprisingly, Vieux turned out to be correct. He really could overcome anything with patience and perseverance. He credits his success to the therapists, doctors and employees who provided outstanding care, patience and support during his stay at Encompass Health.
As a national leader in post-acute care, Encompass Health offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that spans 129 hospitals and 272 home health and hospice locations in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the company is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective care across the post-acute continuum.
Driven by a set of shared values, Encompass Health is the result of the union between HealthSouth Corporation and Encompass Home Health & Hospice, and is ranked as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, as well as Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com.
