The Michels are a large, happy family. Larry is a pharmacist at Wal-Mart in Lawrence, Kansas; Diane a full-time mom. They have six children between the ages of three and 26 and are expecting their first grandchild soon. But for eighteen months their lives have been turned upside down.

It all started during Christmas of 2004 when Larry experienced a series of strokes. After spending almost a month at Kansas University Medical Center, Larry began therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City.

The stroke affected Larry's short-term memory, balance, vision and ability to speak. Larry spent almost six months receiving speech, physical and occupational therapy.

"The therapists were amazing. They were good, supportive and conscientious about their job and making sure that Larry was successful," said Diane.

Because the stroke affected Larry's short-term memory, one of the Michels' biggest concerns was whether Larry would be able to return to work as a pharmacist. Larry had problems remembering facts used everyday at work that he once had memorized. Occupational therapists made on-site visits to help integrate work-related tasks into Larry's rehabilitation process.

"They found out things about my job that would help me specifically. They gave me more ideas on overcoming obstacles that I would face in going back to work," said Larry. After 10 months of therapy, Larry was able to transition back to work.

"The Rehabilitation Institute made going back to work, even part time, easier. I still use some of the things that they taught me," said Larry.

Nearly one year after Larry's strokes, the Michel's lives had returned to almost normal. They were expecting a nice quiet Christmas, not knowing what lay ahead.

Shortly after Larry returned to work part-time Diane and their four youngest children were involved in a car accident, injuring Diane and their ten year old son, Matthew.

Diane broke her pelvic bone as well as some ribs; her spleen was removed during her three-week hospital stay. Matthew experienced a traumatic brain injury, affecting his left side and leaving his face covered in lacerations.

"I was driving and my four youngest kids were in the car with me. The other car hit the drivers' side and my son Matthew and I got the worst of it," said Diane, "Our kids don't get into any car without a seatbelt now; we never have to tell them to put them on."

Matthew became the second member of the Michels family to receive therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute.

"As a family, we are more patient and sensitive; we listen better and are more flexible. Something like this makes you look at your trials differently," said Diane.

When Matthew first came to the Rehabilitation Institute, there was a big difference in strength between his left and right side. After three and a half months of therapy, the gap is closing and Matthew was able to return to school.

"The people in the Pediatric Program were amazing. They were very compassionate. They bought Christmas gifts for all of the kids. It was incredible and way above and beyond anything that they needed to do," said Diane.

From their father's debilitating strokes to a car accident that left two family members seriously injured, the Michel's have experienced and overcome more challenges than most can imagine.

"These experiences have been hard for us. But we're happy that there was a place to go for the help that we needed. We're so thankful for the Rehabilitation Institute," said Larry.

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