At 87 years young, Ray Whitehead has a renewed lease on life, thanks to the expertise of Caroline Mulholland, a skilled physical therapist at St. Francis Therapy Center at St. Francis Downtown. In Ray’s journey from struggling with severe disequilibrium to regaining his independence, Caroline played a vital role in his recovery.
Ray’s story began in June of 2024, when he started experiencing dizziness, imbalance and double vision.
Initially, his primary care provider diagnosed him with positional vertigo and referred him to physical therapy. It was then that Ray was referred to Caroline, who has extensive experience in addressing vestibular and equilibrium disorders. Caroline immediately recognized the severity of Ray’s condition and initiated a targeted treatment plan centered on visio-vestibular habituation exercises.
However, after a few therapy sessions, Caroline noticed other concerns.
“Mr. Whitehead came to me with symptoms that pointed to more than just positional vertigo,” she explains. “We worked diligently through exercises to improve his balance and coordination, but setbacks suggested something more serious.”
Ray listened to Caroline while continuing to work to take back his health.
“She urged me to pursue additional testing with my eyes and ears, which I might not have done otherwise,” Ray says.
Not long after, Ray was rushed to the emergency room. It was then discovered that he had an occluded vestibular artery, which had resulted in two transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or mini-strokes. This life-threatening condition required immediate medical intervention.
“When I had to go to the ER after a true stroke-like event, they finally identified the blockage and adjusted my medication to prevent further attacks.”
With his medication stabilized, Ray returned to therapy to address the lingering disequilibrium.
Caroline tailored his treatment to help him adapt to the residual effects of his condition.
“She worked with me on specific exercises I could do several times a day,” Ray shares. “Thanks to her guidance, my equilibrium has been restored and I’m back to doing things I never thought I’d be able to do again.”
Today, Ray feels like a new man.
“I feel like she gave me my life back again,” he says. “I can now drive and do many things that had been difficult before. I honestly believe I wouldn’t be alive today if not for Caroline suggesting I pursue further testing. She’s phenomenal with her insights and the way she guides you through the problems. She’s very encouraging, extremely knowledgeable, and truly cares about what she does.”
For Caroline, Ray’s progress is a testament to the importance of listening to patients and advocating for their health.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone like Mr. Whitehead regain his independence and quality of life,” Caroline says. “His dedication to his therapy and his trust in the process made all the difference.”
Ray’s journey underscores the importance of early intervention, expert care and perseverance in overcoming health challenges. His story is also a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated health care team members, like Caroline, can have on their patients’ lives.
“She’s not just a therapist,” Ray concludes. “She’s a lifesaver.”
Learn more about the physical therapy and rehabilitation services we provide at Bon Secours.
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