National Trauma Survivors Day, held this year on Wednesday, May 17th, is a day of support for survivors of traumatic injuries and their caregivers.
To mark the day locally, Reading Hospital hosted an a panel event at its Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing for trauma survivors and their families, first responders, and healthcare professionals to discuss self-care after a traumatic injury.
Susan Rehhausser, MA, CAVS, RMT, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services began the event with a presentation about self-care for trauma survivors and family members.
Following the presentation, attendees had the opportunity to hear from and speak with a panel of trauma survivors including:
Elizabeth Kase: An Amputee Coalition Peer who required a below-knee amputation, right transmetatarsal amputation (a surgery to remove part of your foot), and bilateral wrists level amputations.
Jaime Kirlin: Who sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident and is now a Trauma Survivor Network Peer.
Rosemerry Aviles Leandry: Who sustained both a spinal cord injury and a traumatic brain injury due to a Motor Vehicle Crash. At the event she meet her care team, including first responders and staff from Reading Hospital and Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing.
Additional panelists included Avelino Rochino, Travis and Pier Reiter, and Jenny Mohler.
Travis Reiter, a shooting survivor and event panelist said, “I am very grateful to be part of this event and fortunate to be here today so that I can share my story. I hope that this event will inspire strength and comfort in the many trauma survivors out there, as well as the first responders and healthcare professionals who are always ready to save lives. I am indebted to the first responders and the team at Reading Hospital who saved my life that day.”
Dr. Eugene F. Reilly, MD, Chief of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care said, “The Trauma Center at Reading Hospital is set up to deliver high-quality care to patients with even the most complicated injuries. But the effects of trauma and injury can last long after the hospital stay is over. That’s why events like this are essential.”
Therapy dogs were also present at the event to provide comfort and support to attendees.
