by Melanie Jongsma, Director of Communications
Things are looking up for Rudy Gebner. He recently completed therapy at Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation of Downers Grove. Now he's looking forward to flying again.
Rudy is president of the Woodland Aero Modelers club, an AMA-chartered club that was founded in 1936 for model airplane hobbyists. The group meets several times a month, to conduct business, make plans, and fly their planes — indoors during poor weather and outdoors whenever possible. "If you've been to our fly field," says Rudy, "you know how beautiful it is out there. It's wonderful."
Rudy's wings had been somewhat clipped this year, due to health problems. That's why he turned to Providence. When he broke his leg in a fall, he took advantage of our Marianjoy rehabilitation services to restore his strength and mobility. He chose Providence because he had been with us before and was impressed with the caring atmosphere and the effective therapy.
The rigorous workouts he received during his time with us have strengthened Rudy enough to give him hope of flying again. In fact, Rudy is planning to attend his club's 32nd annual Open House and Model Air Show, this Sunday, August 30. You can hear the eagerness in his voice when he begins talking about it.
The event is open to the public, so feel free to stop by! Directions can be found at their website: http://www.wam-rc.com/about_wam.htm .
At Providence we like to use the phrase "Under His Wings" to describe the kind of healing and hope we offer the people we serve. It's exciting to hear stories about people like Rudy who find renewed strength under His wings — strength enough to take flight again themselves!
