Rick’s Story: Finding Guidance, Hope and Strength

May 2, 2024 3:52 pm

Rick with his wife Toni looking at each other and smiling with greenery in the background.

PHILADELPHIA — Rick Berkman enjoyed his retirement, spending it golfing, walking, swimming and playing tennis — until he contracted COVID.

The illness led to a lengthy hospital stay. Rick lost 40 pounds, he was on oxygen and he had trouble walking.

With the unwavering support of his wife, Toni Seidl, Rick found guidance, hope and strength at Penn Medicine Rehabilitation, an inpatient rehabilitation unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, to return home and get back to the activities he enjoys.

“While it was hard work, it was the kind of hard work I like. You had a goal and you kept moving the goal up a little bit; going up more steps, taking more walks. I knew if I kept working at it, it would work — and it did,” Rick said.

“For people who are looking for rehab, I can’t imagine a better rehab setting than this.”

Watch the full video:

Penn Medicine Rehabilitation is a 58-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital managed by GSPP Rehabilitation. It is located at Penn Medicine Rittenhouse, 1800 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146.

To learn more, call 215-893-6570.

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