Never Give Up: Wilbur

To most reading this, Wilbur may seem like just another name-but to our therapy team at Transitions Healthcare Autumn Grove, Wilbur represents the true meaning of the phrase “never give up.”

Wilbur arrived at our facility in February 2023. Two years and three months later, in May 2025, Wilbur finally returned home. This brief summary doesn’t begin to capture the uphill battle he faced. Wilbur’s journey was long and difficult, but with the love and support of his family-and the services provided at Transitions Healthcare Autumn Grove-he reached his goal.

When Wilbur came to us, he had already undergone a toe amputation and was recovering from a GI bleed. Over time, he endured multiple additional foot surgeries, often requiring IVs and wound care. He also needed treatment for skin breakdown and wounds caused by chronic dry patches. Throughout his stay, Wilbur was hospitalized 14 times for issues ranging from gastrointestinal bleeds and infections to worsening kidney function. Each time it seemed he was making progress, another medical setback would arise.

Toward the end of his stay, Wilbur began dialysis and developed anxiety related to his health, which affected his daily routine. And yet, Wilbur never gave up. He endured dialysis while the nursing team worked tirelessly to heal his wounds and obtain orthotic shoes to support his return to therapy. With Speech Therapy, Wilbur progressed from a mechanical soft diet to a regular diet with thin liquids.

With Occupational Therapy, he advanced from using a BRODA wheelchair to a standard wheelchair, and from being fully dependent with his activities of daily living to requiring only minimal assistance. With Physical Therapy, he went from being non-weight-bearing on his right leg and requiring a Hoyer lift, to being able to transfer and walk 150 feet with a walker and minimal assistance. Our social worker also embraced the “never give up” mindset. She worked closely with Wilbur’s family to secure Community HealthChoices (CHC) services, allowing him to return home. The therapy team trained his family to safely assist with his care and mobility.

In May 2025, Wilbur went home. Saying goodbye, tears welled in many eyes-not just because Wilbur was leaving, but because he and our entire therapy team never gave up.