Wall of Fame

It would be hard to endure one hip surgery, let alone two, but this did not stop Iona “Oni” Michaelis from getting to where she needed to go! Oni knew it was time to get her first hip replaces, but she didn’t know the roller coaster she was about to get on when she decided to book her first surgery in 2010. “I was in bad shape, I could barely walk.” After her first hip replacement, Oni stayed in the hospital and received Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy twice a day. When things were looking up, the stitches from her surgery site opened up from the inside. Therapists kept her spirits up by trying a wound vac to assist in healing. “It took a while, but it worked!” Oni was only partial weight bearing on her new hip which was difficult. She transitioned from using a walker to a cane, and eventually independent. She had faced many obstacles, but with each one, she got stronger. “It takes bravery. So what if I walk around with a cane, at least I’m safe!” The next April in 2011, Oni had her second hip replacement surgery. “We are just so lucky; my husband had a stroke in 2009 and received therapy at Madonna. I watched a lot of wonderful things happen at Madonna, but Wimmer Rehab is just as good…my little West Point.” Oni’s second hip was a breeze as compared to her first. She surpassed her therapists’ goals and after 6-8 weeks of outpatient therapy, she was on her way. When asked what kept her motived, she states, “My family. I wanted to stay moving. Everyone here is knowledgeable, compassionate, and truly caring, what more could you ask for?”