Increasing independence through rehab at Inova Rehabilitation Center

At age 80, Andrew Benvenuto was enjoying an active life with his wife Genevieve. After a fulfilling career as a computer systems analyst he retired in 1993. Eventually they moved to Greenspring Retirement Community in northern Virginia. Andrew traveled, volunteered through the Catholic Church, and participated in activities and classes offered at Greenspring.

He also followed doctor’s orders to monitor a diagnosed abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA). In fact, his next appointment was just a couple weeks away when on April 30, 2009 the aneurism ruptured. He was rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital where he required seven hours of surgery to repair the artery. Andrew was told there was a two percent chance he would survive. The odds were even lower that he would lead a normal life. Miraculously he recovered. “I told the doctors to continue the miracle!”said Andrew.

Andrew’s recovery was not without complications. The ruptured aneurism left him partially paralyzed from the waist down. After a week of post-op care at Inova Fairfax Hospital, it was clear Andrew would require rehabilitative care. He was transferred on May 7, 2009 to Inova Rehabilitation Center and spent the next month in acute inpatient rehabilitation. There he made steady progress. Andrew said, “If I had gone anywhere else, I’m sure I would have been in as good of shape when I arrived home. The staff really knows what they're doing."

With physical and occupational therapy Andrew learned to adapt to an electronic wheelchair and function as independently as possible. Amanda Hennekes, PT, saw Andrew throughout his stay in her spinal cord injury group. She said, “Mr. Benvenuto’s AAA impacted the blood flow to his spinal cord so he presented as having incomplete paraplegia."

The primary focus in physical therapy was to increase his independence with lifting and managing his legs—which were quite swollen after surgery. This enabled him to transfer safely from his bed to his wheelchair and vice-versa. Eventually his wife could assist him with mobility so he could return home. He had a positive outlook, a strong support system and motivation to regain as much functionability as possible. These factors helped him meet his rehab goals.

Andrew was discharged on June 4, 2009. He continued to receive therapy and nursing care through Inova Home Health. These days, his right leg is still immobile but Andrew has regained some feeling in it. He participates in a chair fitness class offered by his retirement community three times a week building strength in his upper body. His appetite is returning and he is regaining some of the weight he lost. He said, “I am patient and I am grateful. People tell me I look great.”

He continues to enjoy the majority of his classes as he did before. Most excitingly, on May 27 of this year he and his wife celebrated both his birthday and their 50th wedding anniversary.


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