Hanna Maslowski is the recipient of the 2012 Patient of the Year Award.

2012 Inspiration Awards

National Rehabilitation Week, September 17-23, is a time to celebrate the effectiveness of medical rehabilitation and share a message of hope, achievement, performance and success.

Rehabilitation adds years to life – and life to years – by giving people with disabling conditions the opportunity to regain independence, dignity and productivity. One in six Americans has a medical condition that affects function; however, most of them have many more capabilities than disabilities.

Each year, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (SKRI) bestows Inspiration Awards on persons:

• who have persevered despite seemingly insurmountable odds
• whose achievements or outcomes are extraordinary
• whose actions serve to encourage others
• who serve as advocates, championing the issues of those with disabilities.

This year, 10 patients – one from each of the communities served by SKRI, plus Kenny Kids – are being honored with the award. Each of them is truly an inspiration to fellow patients, families, caregivers and to all who hear their stories. Among these extraordinary individuals, one has been selected as 2012 SKRI Patient of the Year.

Hanna Maslowski - 2012 Patient of the Year

Maslowski, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is the recipient of SKRI's highest Inspiration Award – the 2012 Patient of the Year Award. She has been receiving therapy for several years at Kenny Kids – Coon Rapids.

Alan P. Sakry

Despite a severe stroke in January 2012, Alan Sakry of Elk River continued to serve his community in numerous ways as he recovered and participated in rehabilitation.

Kannette K. Sheppeard

Sheppeard's complex medical history and symptoms had prevented her from seeking employment, participating in community activities, and engaging in life activities with family and friends. Eventually, she was referred to Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute-Buffalo to address her pain and improve strength and endurance.

Robert Matchinsky

Robert Matchinsky of Cambridge has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 17 years. His progressive form of MS requires him to adjust his daily schedule to align with the amount of energy and strength he has on that particular day.

Toni Grundstrom

Toni Grundstrom, a resident of Andover, has received therapy at SKRI – Mercy Hospital for the past two years to help regain functional losses related to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Alan (Frank) Schwab

Alan Schwab (who prefers to be called Frank) received therapy at SKRI – New Ulm to overcome the debilitating effects of a right-hemisphere aneurysm and a left-hemisphere stroke.

Vonruden experienced at least four separate occurrences of cancer during a 20-year period. In spite of the debilitating effects of surgeries and treatments, she worked diligently to regain lost ground and maintain the highest possible level of function.

Colleen Nelson

Colleen Nelson of River Falls began having symptoms in late 2007, and was eventually diagnosed with polymyositis, a persistent inflammatory muscle disease causing weakness of the skeletal muscles that control movement.

William Holmberg

When William Holmberg first arrived in the SKRI inpatient unit, he had severe mobility and cognitive impairments due to a stroke that caused a large brain bleed.

Ross Kneen

Prior to his stroke in in April 2011, Kneen was independent and active, but the effects of the stroke were devastating. He had little use of his right arm and leg, needing assistance to get out of bed, take even small steps, and do personal cares, such as bathing, dressing and grooming.

2011 Inspiration Awards

In 2011, seven SKRI patients were honored with Inspiration Awards:

Scott Benz: Determination well beyond his years

Imagine being only 14 years old and suffering four ischemic strokes! That's what happened to Scott Benz in 2010. The strokes occurred during a five-month period of time until a Microplex coil was inserted into his vertebral artery to prevent further episodes.

Giving to others and receiving in return: Ken's story

Coon Rapids Firefighter Ken Boelter continues to fight one of the toughest battles of his life. A stroke paralyzed the left side of his body. But experts at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - Mercy Hospital say he's making great strides.

Joseph Buesgens, 49, has overcome insurmountable odds after suffering a major stroke in 2005. He became a resident in a nursing home and required nearly total care for his intractible seizures and headaches. But Buesgens made excellent gains in the acute care setting at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (SKRI) – United Hospital.

Denny Burda: Rejoining life

Denny Burda suffered a stroke while driving to work one day last year. That began a tremendous year of change for Burda and his wife and family.

Walking again after 25 years

It began 25 years ago with weakness that caused Doreen Harrington's legs to give way without warning. It turned out to be a spinal infarction that left her a paraplegic. Her doctors told her she'd never gain function in her legs and would never walk again.

Joe Stone: Life came crashing down

Last year, Joe Stone's life as he knew it came crashing down on Montana's Mount Jumbo. The impact left him paralyzed from the chest down. This year, Stone is riding through Glacier National Park on his hand-powered bicycle.

In March 2011, Benedict Luis Villarosa, age 7, had sudden onset of left side loss of movement, facial droop, impaired speech and uncontrollable jerking in his left extremities. Villarosa underwent a craniotomy and resection of a cavernous malformation and was later referred to Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute (SKRI) - Cambridge for outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapies. On just his third visit he exclaimed, "Therapy is so much fun. I couldn't wait to get here!"