The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center began as a local nonprofit organization founded in 1959 by Mrs. Cowl. Her vision included creating an establishment that provided a program of physical and emotional restitution for individuals suffering from polio. Today, Mrs. Cowl’s vision has been incorporated to make it possible to assist individuals with birth defects, strokes, brain injuries, amputations, emotional problems, and other physical conditions that have hindered their quality of life. The rehabilitation center diligently works to assist all individuals with disabilities regardless of their age, origin, nationality, creed, or economic status.

United Way of Laredo graciously assists Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center with its annual operation budget. United Way’s contribution helps the rehabilitation center provide physical therapy, occupation therapy, speech therapy, pain management, wound care, and counseling and social services. Together, United Way and the rehabilitation center support at least thirty different types of injuries, disabilities, and disorders.

Patient Jesus Javier Martinez is sixty years old and has shared his life with his loving wife of seventeen years, Irma Herrera Martinez. He is also the proud father of Samantha, Jesse, Justin, and Alexis. Beginning at the age of fifteen, Mr. Martinez led a working and active life style. Unfortunately, on September 16, 2017 he suffered a serious stroke. He remembers vividly that it was on a Sunday while he was on his way to work as a truck driver. He knew that day his life would never be the same. Mr. Martinez was rushed to the hospital and spent the next two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit. After being released from the hospital, Mr. Martinez was transferred to an inpatient rehab center for a one week stay. October 2017, Mr. Martinez began his out-patient therapy at Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center where the supportive and compassionate physical therapy and occupational therapy staff consisting of Fernando, Alex, Victor, and Roxy have been working with him. “The therapy offered at Ruthe B. Cowl is extraordinary, and all the employees are exceptional as is the organization,” explained Mr. Martinez.

Mr. Martinez’s physical mobility has improved immensely through the therapy provided. “As my personal testimony, Ruthe B. Cowl has helped me, and so many others with both my physical and emotional well-being,” explained Mr. Martinez.  Suffering a stroke significantly impacted all aspects of his life, but the therapy has empowered him to revive his daily life. “Strokes can affect anyone, at any time, and at any age. I still continuously need skillful therapy and look forward to receiving it from the folks at Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center,” explained Mr. Martinez

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