PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Jaime Ballen spent much of his life working hard to care for his family.
Between the ages of 18 and 21, he worked as a professional boxer.
After that, he served as a soldier in the Philippine Navy for 22 years, initially helping captains to navigate their ships and later working on the base.
After retiring from the Navy, he worked in real estate and later as a farmer, growing corn, coconut and rice. He raised chickens, ducks and pigs and sold eggs. No matter what he did, he was proud of his work and enjoyed it.
In 2018, Jaime officially retired and moved from his beloved Philippines to the United States so he could be closer to family. Life was good, and even though it was a huge change, he found he loved his new home.
In 2023, though, life took a swift and unexpected turn, when a kidney infection turned into something far more serious. The infection turned into sepsis, eventually causing tissue damage in both hands and feet. To stop the spread of the infection, all four limbs had to be amputated.
After Jaime was physically stable and discharged from the hospital, the task of recovery started. In November 2023, he was admitted to the Specialty Hospital at Rittenhouse, a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) at 1800 Lombard Street, dedicated specifically to helping medically complex patients recover from illness or injury.
“We were so happy that my dad started his recovery there,” said Laarnie Ordonez, Jaime’s daughter. “I deeply appreciate the nurses for their willingness to listen and help. Their encouragement and support have been instrumental in motivating my dad not to give up and aiding in his recovery.”
Jaime would stay at Specialty Hospital at Rittenhouse until February 2024, when he was released home for a short time so his family could care for him.
By April 2024, he was ready to start prosthetics training and went to Penn Medicine Rehabilitation, an inpatient rehabilitation unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 1800 Lombard Street. The unit is in the same building as Specialty Hospital at Rittenhouse.
Jaime was shocked that on the first day, his team of physical therapists had him up and walking again.
“On the very first day, they had me walking,” Jaime said. “I was so surprised that I could do it, and I’m so happy that I can use my hands and feet again.”
Jaime says that before his admission to Penn Medicine Rehabilitation, he was feeling helpless, like he was almost a baby. But that quickly changed.
“When I first got to Penn Medicine Rehabilitation, they asked me what my goal was,” Jaime said. “It was simple – I wanted to walk again so I can go back to the Philippines for a vacation.”
Jaime’s therapy team built a customized treatment plan to help him reach that goal, and a trip is tentatively planned for 2025.
Despite all he’s been through, Jaime said he’s very happy.
“I’m very thankful to my doctors and family and to the science and new technology that we have,” he said. “It’s given me my second life.”
When asked what advice he would give to others going through a similar situation, his response was simple: “Never lose hope. Always stay positive.”
Learn more about the Specialty Hospital at Rittenhouse and the Amputee Rehabilitation Program or call 1-877-969-7342.