TERRE HAUTE —
Five years ago, David Osadchuk was in his car at a stoplight in Lafayette when a speeding, habitual drunk driver slammed into him, knocking David’s car the distance of two football fields.
The accident left Osadchuk near death and in a coma for the next 11 weeks. He suffered brain injuries from which doctors at the time believed he could not recover.
“But they didn’t know Dave like I know Dave,” said Amy Osadchuk, David’s wife. She stuck by his side 15 hours a day as he lay unconscious at Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis, at a long-term care facility and then finally when he was moved to the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
After a while, Dave showed signs of response. He could blink or squeeze Amy’s hand. Thanks to those tiny signs of hope, specialists at Terre Haute Regional admitted him to their 12-bed inpatient rehab unit.
“We had to give this guy a chance,” recalled Karen Cotner, director of rehabilitation services at Regional.
And a chance was all Dave and Amy needed. Eventually, Dave was tossing a ball to his wife and learning again how to do simple things, such as tell time. Soon, rehabilitation specialists were helping him walk laps around the rehab unit and regain his strength.
“By them pushing me, I began to do more,” Dave said, admitting he needed pushing. Rehab is typically three hours a day, six days a week, Cotner said. That can seem like a lot to patients, she said.
On Tuesday, Dave and Amy were back at Regional for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Services open house marking National Rehabilitation Week. The open house allows former patients to visit with nurses, doctors and therapists who helped guide them through very difficult times.
“This place saved our lives,” Amy said looking around the fifth floor of the southside hospital.
National Rehabilitation Week, Sept. 16–22, is designed to draw attention to those going through rehab and also the work of therapists and others who help them.
“We have a lot of amazing stories,” Cotner said.
Terre Haute Regional is also planning to celebrate National Rehabilitation Week on Thursday with an open house at its outpatient rehab unit. There, on Tuesday, therapists were working with patients who are able to live at home but still need help recovering from accidents, surgeries or other conditions.
Patients in inpatient and outpatient rehab often spend weeks or even months with therapists. The experience can make a tight bond. That’s clearly the case with the Osadchuks, who return each year for the open house and a chance to see familiar faces who helped them during Dave’s six-week stay in room 538.
After leaving the inpatient rehab unit, Dave spent time in outpatient therapy. Now he continues to make improvements on his own each day.
“I like to think of it as still being a work in progress,” Dave said of his recovery. But the help provided by the rehabilitation specialists at Terre Haute Regional clearly holds a special place in the Osadchuks’ hearts.
“We’re here every year,” Amy said of the annual open house. “They pretty much saved our future.”
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Beat the odds: Former Terre Haute Regional Hospital inpatient rehab patient David Osadchuk recounts his experience as a victim of a drunken driver and how the rehabilitation at the hospital saved his life Tuesday at the hospital. At right is David's wife, Amy Osadchuk. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Outpatient care: Physical Therapist Beatrice Travis uses an ultrasound machine on patient Cameron Collins at the Regional Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation facility Tuesday.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza PT: Physical Therapist Rommel Abalos helps patient Raymond Werner through his therapy Tuesday at Regional Hospital. The inpatient physical therapy department hosted an open house Tuesday.
Discussion
Chance of a Lifetime
Doctors gave man hit by drunken driver little chance of waking from a coma
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Today in History May 25
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
Massive Flooding in San Antonio Area; Rescue Efforts Underway
Hope For The Boy Who Can't Smile
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
