Keeping Hope in Motion
After son’s comeback, parents give to help others walk.
Jerry Leener left a lucrative career as a partner at a global accounting firm to become a volunteer EMT. But that’s not the story Jerry takes the most pleasure in telling. It’s boasting about his son, Mike.
Mike was born with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes cognitive impairment, as well as behavioral and learning challenges. Jerry and his wife, Dina, were told Mike would have difficulty learning, playing sports and finding work. Mike did those things and more. He won Special Olympics awards and was named to the Jewish Hall of Fame at the Rockville Jewish Community Center.
He worked as a dishwasher at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center until he collapsed in 2016. While hospitalized, Mike was examined by Terrence Sheehan, MD, chief medical officer of Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation. Dr. Sheehan determined Mike had a rare spinal cord stroke and recommended care at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation Rockville and from Adventist Medical Group urologist Jonathan Rhee, MD.
“We didn’t know a thing about Dr. Sheehan or Adventist HealthCare, but he was offering us hope when others were telling us Mike would never walk again, that our vigorous, athletic son would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life,” Jerry explained.
At Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation Rockville, Mike thrived under the care of physical therapist Tony Matthews.
“Tony was a game changer,” Jerry said. “He’s an artist. In a league of his own. Tony said, ‘Mike will walk again.’”
Today, Mike is walking, shooting baskets and volunteering in the rehabilitation gym. According to Stacey Buckner, director of outpatient therapy, he is a favorite with patients and team members.
Paying it Forward
In appreciation, Jerry and Dina gave generously to help Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation purchase a ZeroG robotic body weight support system, which will help Mike and many others create muscle strength and neurological connections that aren’t otherwise possible.
Why make the gift?
“How much more indebted can you be than to people who take your kid who has been told he won’t walk again and help him walk?” Jerry asked. “I’ve also come to appreciate Adventist HealthCare’s total commitment to making a difference in people’s lives.”
Jerry insists this gift is not the last. He’s just waiting for Tony to come up with the next big thing.
Jerry encourages others to visit Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation.
“Go sit in the lobby. Watch people come in and then come back month after month and see how they have progressed,” Jerry said. “See what a difference this place makes in their lives. This is a unique culture here. We give here because we can see the difference we are making.”
Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation is the region’s only hospital accredited in the care of amputees, brain injuries, strokes and spinal cord injuries. To learn more about its services or make a gift to benefit its patients, visit AHCYou.com/S24Give.
From left, Dr. Terrence Sheehan with his patient Mike Leener and Mike’s parents, Dina and Jerry. Mike is walking again thanks to Dr. Sheehan and the team at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation.
