Ms. Schroeder worked for several weeks creating a plan to take an ALS vented patient outside. His family was strongly against it, due to fear, but the Veteran stated he wanted to go outside one last time. He admitted he was anxious about it too because of the need for the ventilator. Catherine's ability to use the rehabilitation process, develop trust and a feeling of safety with this Veteran allowed the unthinkable to occur. She got help from respiratory therapy, physical therapy, medical resident, and additional nursing colleague to assist with the plan and the family was assured he would be safe.
One day in August the Veteran went outside for the first time in over 10 months. The joy expressed on his face and his family's face was indescribable. His wife took pictures, his family smiled continually. This was the perfect example of what a rehabilitation nurse does; help the patient and the family see possibilities that they no longer can fathom.