Inspira Health Network

Jesse Arrigo, left, of Millville has inspired her hand therapists and fellow patients during her intense rehabilitation sessions at SJH Sports RehabCare. Gracefully Handling Life's Challenges As the first woman from New Jersey to successfully receive a hand transplant, Jessica "Jesse" Arrigo of Millville has been progressing and conquering life thanks in part to the availability of highly specialized rehabilitation services at South Jersey Healthcare Sports RehabCare. Aſt er a severe stomach virus in 2004 sent Jesse, now 28, into septic shock, physicians induced her into a medical coma. When she awoke 17 days later, Jesse found that her hands were black and physicians had taken the life- saving measure to amputate her legs below the knees. Eventually, her right hand and the majority of her leſt hand were amputated, as well. Despite Jesse's abrupt and life-altering circumstances, she didn't let the challenges dampen her outlook on life. With a positive attitude, Jesse excelled at recovery and compensated for her losses. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl in 2009, and in September 2010, Jesse received a hand transplant at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. followed, jump starting recovery and the use of her new hand. Today, she undergoes intense rehabilitation at SJH Sports RehabCare, where she's made great progress. "People always ask me how my new hand feels; honestly, it doesn't feel foreign at all," Jesse said. "I can do lots of things I wasn't able to regain abilities with her hand. "Right now rehab is like a job for Jesse, "My rehabilitation experience with South Jersey Healthcare Sports RehabCare has been great. They really try to keep it interesting and fun, and everyone is incredibly nice." A Successful Procedure Following a 13-hour surgery, Jesse was able to look down and see her right hand for the first time in six years. Specialized therapy SJH Family & Friends to before, such as use a curling iron, fix my daughter's hair, hold a glass with one hand and start my own car. I'm even learning how to crochet and taking flying lessons. It's amazing." Jesse said she wants to go back to school to study social work. For now, though, she continues participating in rehabilitation at SJH — Jessica Arrigo, 28, SJH Sports RehabCare hand therapy patient from Millville and she approaches it that way, coming five days a week for up to six hours each day," said Victoria Rink, registered and licensed occupational therapist, certified hand therapist and occupational therapy coordinator at SJH. "She's incredibly dedicated and determined, always pushing herself and ready for the next challenge, including sensory work and strengthening of her smaller muscles as her nerve endings steadily reconnect. Everyone at our facility — patients and staff alike — finds Jesse inspirational because of her natural charisma and positive, proactive attitude." To learn more about SJH Rehabilitation Services, including Sports RehabCare and Kids RehabCare, click here FALL 2011 3

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