Helping those Injured to Find Their Strength

With your support, people like Michael Guadagno – an accomplished sculptor – can find the strength they need to overcome the challenge of severe injury that threatens their livelihood and return to pursuing their passions. 

Rays of sunlight cascaded across Michael’s backyard, illuminating the hand-carved sculptures made of metal, glass and stone displayed across the property. With blue skies and the sweet smell of spring in the air, Michael was working on some chores outside in the pleasant weather. The peacefulnessof the day quickly changed with the appearance of a cloud of black smoke and the smell of burning leaves that had begun to permeate the air. 

Michael had been standing over a barrel of what he thought were dead ambers, the remains of leaves and rubbish he had been burning the day before as part of his spring cleanup, when the ambers reignited, engulfing him in flames. Having passed out from the pain, a confused Michael awoke in the Intensive Care Unit hours later not knowing where he was or realizing the gravity of his situation. He had been severely burned across much of his body, with the most extensive injury to his hands. In the days to follow, Michael would endure skin grafts from his face, arms, legs and chest before he was ready to be transferred for rehabilitation to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

“Being an artist, the thought of potentially not having the ability to use my hands was unimaginable to me,” said Michael. “My art is both my livelihood and my legacy. I knew Spaulding would be the first important step in my recovery process.”

“I didn’t know what to expect when I came to Spaulding, said Michael. “I was confident that I would be well cared for, but from the moment I walked through the door, it was such a heart-warming experience. Everyone made me feel welcome and that they genuinely cared about me on a very personal level.”

When Michael was first admitted to Spaulding, he was experiencing facial tightness resulting from his burns so he worked with his speech-language pathologist, Emily, to increase his range of motion and comfort through facial massage and the use of oral splints. They also addressed the cognitive challenges he had, including attention, memory and problem-solving, through various therapeutic exercises. 

“The goal was to get Michael back to being fully independent so he could return to his life and his work as an artist,” said Emily. ”He was extremely motivated and by the time he was ready to be discharged home, he was back to where he needed to be cognitively, as well as able to complete his own facial massage almost entirely on his own.” 

Michael also worked closely with his physical therapist, Julia, to increase his range of motion, focusing on his hands and fingers, to increase his independence with activities of daily living, such as personal hygiene and getting in and out of bed on his own.

“Michael had a great attitude,” said Julia. “We worked as a team to get him back to where he needed to be physically so he could get back to enjoying a high quality of life, and of course, creating his art.”

“I am so incredibly grateful for the care I received from everyone at Spaulding,” said Michael. In an expression of his appreciation, Michael generously donated a piece of his artwork to the hospital. “The onyx sculpture is comprised of two parts – a form simulating gentle movement rising out of a base that is static and heavy. This sculpture represents to me the regeneration of life from a very harsh source.” Patients and visitors alike can enjoy the soothing presence of Michael’s sculpture in Spaulding’s meditation room.

“I chose to donate the sculpture to Spaulding in gratitude for the great care I received as a patient there,” said Michael. “The sincere commitment and support of my caregivers – both physical and emotional – allowed me to overcome my difficulties so I could resume my creative and teaching activities. I can’t thank them enough.”

With the support of donors like you, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital was there to help Michael, and with your help, we will continue to be there for all of our patients. We cannot do this alone – Spaulding relies on your donations to continue to provide the high quality care for which we are known. Your generosity will allow us to help patients like Michael restore their spirit and their strength.