11/02/2024
Patient Of The Month - Jennifer Buttery.
Giants Among Us
Jennifer Buttery is BACK! So much fun watching you run in competition again! Back in 2023 a hip problem took this athlete from winning races to possibly never being able to do more than walk…ever again. She underwent a significant surgery which required months of recovery and rehabilitation, with no guarantee that things would turn out well. I remember Jennifer when she first came to Physical Therapy. Non weight-bearing on crutches and her life had been turned upside down. That’s a lot for any teenage runner to cope with and her whole identity had been taken away in a flash. However her indomitable, tough as nails spirit was evident even then. She was smiling and ready to do what needed to be done. Jennifer's therapist, Don Becker, progressed her carefully to avoid damaging the vulnerable joint.
I remember reading something that Jennifer wrote about what running meant to her… EVERYTHING… and it brought a tear to my eye. During her recovery, she still went to practice, encouraged her team mates and everyone of them gave it right back and then some. As time went on it became apparent there was a chance that Jennifer was going to recover well and possibly run again…. Going from sickening hip pain pre op to ZERO not long into her recovery. She could sense there was a possibility of getting back to competitive running and her surgeon was cautiously optimistic. Eventually she was allowed to start running limited distances slowly. Her XC coach, Mark Kachler, was fully aware of her situation and did an EXCELLENT job of successfully taking Jennifer from rehab back to competition over several more months. He was ELATED to see Jennifer finishing that race, as were we all. (I wasn't sure she was going to survive that hug 😀)
Jennifer stands out from the crowd a million miles. Super smart, charming, disciplined and works hard at everything she does. Character isn’t measured in races won, it’s facing adversity with a smile, hiding the fear and getting back up when you have been knocked down. She has that in spades and is truly inspirational. I take small pieces of people I admire and keep them. JB is on that list. Finally… Behind every Jennifer is an incredible mother. Tara Banta has done an EXCEPTIONAL job and I’m sure Jennifer’s sister is equally well grounded and impressive. The bond between her and the girls is tight
Owen Brown
Rehabilitation Director
Meadowview Regional Medical Center
