Jennifer's Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Story

A stroke can strike without warning, often in the middle of an ordinary day. That's exactly what happened to Jennifer Younker, who never anticipated the journey upon which she would have to take.
However, even though there were tough times ahead, Jennifer knew she could beat the challenges. Here, she shares her experience through emergency treatment, rehabilitation, and the long road back to the life she loves.

The Sudden Onset that Changed Everything

Jennifer was working from home during a meeting when everything changed. “It felt like fireworks going off in my brain all of a sudden,” she recalls. She knew immediately something was wrong. After stepping out of her meeting, she called 911. Paramedics arrived, confirmed her fears, and asked where she wanted to go. Her answer was immediate. “Riverside. That was the first place to go.”

Jennifer’s Multi-Stage Recovery

After a craniectomy, Jennifer's care team helped transition her to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago for intensive inpatient rehabilitation. What followed was a day program that allowed her husband to continue working while she received care. 
After six months of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, Jennifer took a break before returning to Riverside to continue her recovery closer to home. She joined Riverside's stroke exercise program to rebuild her endurance, then moved into physical therapy at the Manteno location and occupational therapy at Meadowview.

A True Partnership

Jennifer describes her experience at Riverside as deeply collaborative. Her therapists worked closely with her, discussing what was happening in her stroke support group and testing new approaches together. “I've now been able to do step-ups, like on curbs, which I couldn't do before,” she shares. “They just really worked in partnership with what I was already doing and what my goals were.”

Rebuilding Daily Life… One Day at a Time

Occupational therapy focused heavily on stretching Jennifer's arm, which developed significant spasticity after her stroke. Botox injections through Shirley Ryan helped loosen the muscles, while therapy sessions built on that progress to work toward regaining grip and function in her left hand.
Cooking, once a favorite activity, became a meaningful milestone. Jennifer learned to use a one-handed cutting board and practiced tasks like folding laundry and washing dishes to regain independence in the kitchen. Reading, something she once did voraciously, presented an unexpected challenge, as her eyes would skip across the page. Occupational therapy introduced her to a simple tool used to teach children to read, line by line, that helped restore her ability to focus and enjoy books again.

Visible Progress, Triumphant Victories

Jennifer's physical recovery has been substantial. She began her outpatient journey in a wheelchair, unable to sit up without support. Today, she walks with a cane and moves around her house without one. She has also overcome drop foot, no longer needing the large brace that once extended to her knee. Where she once could barely leave her house, she now walks up to a mile at a time, working steadily toward the five-mile walks she used to enjoy daily.

Why Ongoing Support Is So Crucial for Recovery

Jennifer credits Riverside's team-based approach for keeping her recovery moving forward. When certain services weren't immediately available, her social worker helped identify alternative paths forward. “A stroke is not a finite recovery,” she notes. “It goes on for the rest of your life.” She appreciates that her care team continues to set staged goals with her, building strength step by step.
Having everything within one health system, supported by MyChart, has made a real difference too. “I love it, because then I get reminders,” she offers, noting how helpful it is for managing medications and appointments.

Jennifer’s Recommendation: Choose a Healthcare Partner You Can Trust

Jennifer doesn't hesitate when asked whether she'd recommend Riverside to others facing a similar journey. “It's a great partnership,” she emphasizes. “Everyone has been great in collaborating with me on my goals and where I want to be going.”
To learn more about Riverside's Brain & Spine Institute, visit myrhc.net/brainandspine. To learn more about Riverside Outpatient Rehabilitation & Therapy, visit myrhc.net/rehabilitation.

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