From Rehab to the Road: Jim T.'s Journey to Recovery

For retired engineer and lifelong camping enthusiast Jim Thomas, a faint click in his shoulder seemed like no big deal - until his wife encouraged him to get it checked. What followed was a surprise: the cartilage in his right shoulder was significantly deteriorated. Jim faced a choice - should he undergo shoulder replacement surgery or try physical therapy first? He opted for therapy.

For the Moscow, PA native, proximity mattered. He was referred to Allied Services Moscow Rehab Center - just a short drive from his home. “I was happy to have somewhere close by. It was a good fit,” Jim shared during our recent conversation. At the time, he couldn’t have known just how perfect a fit it would turn out to be.

That was nine years ago.

Today, after undergoing not one, but two shoulder replacements - the most recent in April of 2025 - Jim is back in familiar surroundings. With nearly a decade of rehab experience under his belt, he's working to rebuild strength in his shoulders, arms, and legs.

In retirement, Jim stays active by driving a school bus, something he does “to keep busy,” as he puts it. Following his most recent surgery, he's just getting back behind the wheel. But his true motivation? Hitting the road in the travel camper he shares with his wife. “Perhaps a trip to Maine,” he says with a smile. Camping requires mobility and strength - goals Jim is steadily working toward.

Jim credits his long-term success to the expert care and compassion of his therapists at Allied Services. “Julie and Stacey are like family to me. They know my wife, and they always share their knowledge and experience to help me get stronger,” he says.

Physical Therapists Stacey Horne, PT, MSPT, and Julie Hall, DPT, MPT, have been part of Jim’s journey since day one. Their bond is clear - conversations are peppered with jokes and easy laughter, like close friends catching up. “They know me so well. It’s just comfortable,” Jim adds.

And it’s not just the therapists. Jim has built connections with fellow patients, too. “You see the same faces every week for years - you get to know people. Eventually, they become friends,” he says, glancing around the room. “It’s like we’re all a big team.”

Reflecting on his time at the Moscow Rehab Center, Jim shares nothing but gratitude. “To have this kind of relationship with your therapists - it’s special. I wish everyone could experience it,” he says.

Jim continues his weekly sessions with determination and pride. “I’m proud to refer Allied Services to friends and family,” he says. His wife is among those who’ve benefitted, having completed a short stay through the Allied Services Women’s Health Rehab program.

Jim’s goal is clear: to get back into “camping shape” one week at a time. Until then, he finds strength and comfort in a place where everybody knows his name - and cheers him on every step of the way.