Airman’s father and care team get him back on his feet

As an active-duty member of the Air Force, 21-year-old Randy Rodriguez knew that the risk of injury was
always present. But he couldn’t have expected an abnormal blood vessel would burst in the back of his
neck, sending him to the hospital completely paralyzed.

Before long, though, Randy was back on his feet, and soon after that he was walking out of Madonna
Rehabilitation Hospitals, where he spent most of his recovery.

“We felt at home, not in a hospital.”

He credits his father, Enrique, with providing the support he needed to push himself to recover, as well
as the team at Madonna. As for Enrique, he could not be prouder of the progress his son has made, and
he is equally thankful for Randy’s care team.

“They all did their job beyond exceptionally well,” Enrique said. “Everyone at Madonna, from the
cleaning persons all the way through to the therapists, treated myself and my son with so much love and
affection that we felt at home, not in a hospital.” He points to their daily encouragement as essential to
Randy regaining his ability to walk.

Now, Randy looks forward to returning to active service with the Air Force, and Enrique is thankful that a
once-dire situation now seems likely to conclude with a happy ending.

“I truly believe if not for the staff, his recovery would not have been as quick,” said Enrique. He might be
downplaying his own role in his son’s progress, but the important thing to Enrique is that Randy is back
on track.

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