3 minute read
Back in the Workshop
Back in the Workshop
Dale Vogt got the help he needed to get back to making wooden toys for children in need.
91-year-old Dale Vogt enjoys spending his days in his woodworking workshop, making little toys to give to children in need. Woodworking has been a passion of his since he was just 8 years old, learning from his older cousin.
“The Boone Health team is who has gotten me back to doing what I love time and time again,” says Dale.
Dale’s journey with Boone Health began years ago when he had a quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery to treat multiple blockages.
“The whole team, the cardiologists, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and everyone at home health all worked together so well and were so compassionate and wonderful,” says Dale’s wife Jackie.
One thing that was important to both Dale and Jackie after each of Dale’s health ailments was getting Dale back in the kitchen.
“In physical therapy and occupational therapy, they always set goals. One goal was to get Dale cooking again. He’s the cook in our house and it wasn’t long before he was back to making breakfast every morning,” says Jackie.
A couple years after his bypass surgery, Dale had another stay at Boone Hospital when he broke a hip.
“Again, everyone we worked with was just wonderful. Compassion is big here,” says Dale.
Dale, unfortunately, broke his other hip not long after and then later his pelvis. This led to several more surgeries and hospital stays at Boone Hospital.
“My cardiology team was always very involved in my care, and the whole team took care of both me and Jackie throughout the entire experience,” says Dale.
Jackie says she appreciates the family approach to care.
“They were so great about keeping me informed about everything involved in Dale’s care. At one point, they even had someone come sit with him through the night when he was having a reaction to some medication. It was such a relief to know he was being cared for so well,” says Jackie.
Following his hospitalizations, Dale received visits from Boone Health Home Care and Hospice.
“The home health team was just amazing. They worked on his balance and strength to prevent any further injuries. They always worked on their goals and really built confidence in him as he would improve,” says Jackie.
Dale says he can’t believe how far he’s come.
“I’m able to do what I enjoy again. I’m making breakfast, riding my riding lawn mower, and woodworking,” says Dale.
Dale still regularly attends Boone Therapy for outpatient physical therapy and occupational appointments.
“I am continuing to get more movement and get stronger. I often tell people about my wonderful experience with Boone and how much everyone there has helped me,” says Dale.
Dale and Jackie are very involved in their church, Olivet Christian Church, and Dale donates the wooden toys he makes through its Operation Christmas Child program. Because of Dale’s work, dozens of children in need receive handmade wooden toys every year for Christmas.
