“Beep, Beep, Honk, Honk!” Celebrating Therapy Victories
- Jul 17
- 2 min read
By Sanchia Marinelli, PT, Concept Rehab Therapy Program Manager
“Beep, Beep, Honk, Honk!”
That’s Jackie, a retired bus driver, making her presence known as she moves through the halls of Symphony Care Network’s Caretel Inns of St. Joseph, Michigan with her walker. The phrase now brings smiles to residents and staff alike, a joyful signature of how far she’s come.
Just months ago, Jackie’s journey looked very different.
The Start of the Journey
In November 2025, she experienced a fall while out to breakfast with her husband, Bill. Initially sent home after imaging showed no fracture, she returned to the hospital with worsening pain and was diagnosed with a left femur fracture. She was placed in a CAM boot and discharged with weight-bearing as tolerated orders.
When she arrived at the skilled nursing facility, Jackie required extensive two-person assistance for transfers and total assistance for bathing and dressing. A prior stroke with left-sided weakness, significant pain, and fear of falling further complicated her recovery. She was unable to sit at the edge of the bed or ambulate, and progress initially plateaued despite therapy.
But Jackie and Bill held onto one clear goal: getting her home.
Progress Through Therapy
Even as she transitioned to assisted living and continued therapy with Concept Rehab, progress was slow. Fear of falling and motor planning challenges remained barriers until small, steady gains began to build momentum.
Jackie eventually progressed from supported standing to ambulating in parallel bars, and then to walking with a walker. She regained strength and independence in self-care tasks and is now preparing to return home with her husband.
When reflecting on her journey, Jackie says, “When I first arrived, I felt like I couldn’t do anything… but I learned you have to have patience. I think being a bus driver helped me too.”
And she still carries that spirit today, announcing her hallway travels with her signature, “Beep, beep, honk, honk!”
Therapy Victories: Every Milestone Matters
Her story is part of Concept Rehab’s “Therapy Victories” campaign, which highlights the theme Every Milestone Matters - from the smallest step forward to life-changing independence.
The Therapy Victories campaign is about recognizing that progress doesn’t always look dramatic day to day. When I step back, I see how those small gains build into meaningful outcomes. Jackie is a perfect example of persistence, partnership, and patient-centered care coming together.
“Stories like Jackie’s are what this campaign is all about,” adds Jennifer Kudlo, Director of Operations. “Every milestone, no matter how small, deserves to be seen, shared, and celebrated.”
A Journey Home
Now, as Jackie prepares for her return home, her familiar “Beep, beep, honk, honk!” has become more than a playful phrase. It’s a reminder that recovery is rarely linear, but progress is always possible with patience and support.
Because in rehabilitation, every milestone truly matters.
