A hospital in New York bestowed a gold medal to a woman who has improved by leaps and bounds in her recovery from a fall 24-plus months ago that caused harsh pain in her back, neck and legs and left her unable to walk, according to a published report.
Olliemae Davis-Simona had cervical spine surgery and has worked very closely with people who hold physical therapy jobs at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, both inpatient and outpatient, NY1 reports. The medical center conducted a medals ceremony for its patients that was modeled after those of the Olympic Games earlier this month in London.
"Sometimes you get down and stuff like that, you don't want to be bothered. But stuff like this and coming here brings up my spirit," Davis-Simona told the news source. "There are days where I just want to come in my bed and hide."
Motives for the medical center's medal ceremony included boosting patients' morale and inspiring the patients to work hard at their physical therapy regimens.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists typically need a doctoral degree and states mandate them to be licensed.