Frank M.

Frank M. had worked at Allied Services for 20 years as a Networking Technician – and everyone enjoyed working with Frank and co-workers across our healthcare system relied upon him for his expertise and responsiveness! Frank never let his long-standing medical condition affect his work ethic, or positive attitude. But most of his colleagues around our healthcare system didn’t quite realize the severity of his condition until he contracted walking pneumonia three years ago!

Around the age of seven he learned he had a muscle disorder. In his teens he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease.
CMT disease is a group of hereditary disorders that damage the nerves in your arms and legs. The disease affects 1-in-2,500 people in the United States.

On March 17th, 2011, Frank remembers it being a beautiful Friday. On his way home from work he became short of breath and realized that something was wrong. He quickly pulled over, called his boss who picked him up, and went straight to Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton, where he was placed in the intensive care unit.

This is when doctors deduced Frank had walking pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is a mild form and is almost unrecognizable. The combination of his muscle disorder and pneumonia attacked his muscles, Frank was unable to move. At that time, Frank was incubated with a tracheostomy and put on a feeding tube, due to his immobility.

After about a week in the hospital, Frank was moved to Allied Services Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in Scranton. When he first arrived, Frank had very limited motion; he couldn’t raise his arms more than a couple of inches. Over the next three years, he worked diligently with the rehab staff at Allied Services. This past Summer, Frank achieved goals no one ever thought possible– he regained the ability to walk.

“My therapists, Rayna Torchia Pfeil and Lise Davis Rice got me to where I am today. They pushed me to get stronger and they’re the reason I was able to return home” said Frank proudly.

Being a part of the Allied family for more than two decades, Frank never doubted Allied’s reputation. “I knew Allied was one of the top rehab providers in the country, and after my extended stay and seeing how far I’ve progressed, I now KNOW they are the best at what they do.”

Frank is back at home and loving every second of it. Although the initial transition was difficult, he is enjoying his renewed sense of freedom. He also hasn’t wasted any time reconnecting with family and friends. Frank continues to improve day by day, receiving physical therapy from Allied Services Home Health.