SPRING 2016 Volume 40 | Issue 2
A rehab success: Phuong Dinh Phuong, an 18-year-old college student, didn’t think she would need skilled nursing care. When the unthinkable happened, she found Keiro Northwest, our incredible rehab team, and her favorite caregivers – Nori the Keiro cat and Muffin the rehab doggy mascot. And Phuong got better, but in the beginning, it was difficult. I still remember, the first day I came to Keiro I cried a lot. I was fearful and scared, but I found Nori. She came in my room and since then I had a best friend. rear: Ray Tong, Jeffrey Hattori, Phuong’s Dad; center: Phuong’s Mom, Chie Kondo; front: Joyce Paraiso, Phuong, and Nori
I was so scared that I didn’t talk to anybody but Nori. Nori loves me and I love her too. She showed me around the facility by running away from me, because I’d chase her everywhere to hold her and pet her. By that chance, I talked to everybody, and I found out that Nori wasn’t my only friend. Phuong was motivated, and Chie, Eric, and Joyce – her rehab team – drew upon their considerable talents to help her regain her mobility and strength. Her parents came over from Vietnam, and they enjoyed simple pleasures, like microwaving popcorn together. The whole Keiro staff (including Nurse Doraemon, and Nurse Dinosaur, her handpicked nicknames) cheered her on, and Nori used her feline
Nori the Cat and Muffin the Rehab Dog
charms to make Phuong feel at home. She even let Phuong dress her up in costumes. Muffin, a chihuahua with the heart of a St. Bernard, made her laugh. Continue on page 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE A rehab success: Phuong Dinh
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A positive change for Asians with dementia
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Keiro Northwest expands board
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Events 6 Phuong’s fave nurses, Nurse Doraemon (aka Jennifer Hamasaki) and Nurse Dinosaur (aka Rex Ong)
Family album
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