When Adelheid “Heidi” Ernst needed physical therapy after receiving a prosthetic leg in October 2023, she knew exactly where she wanted to go. For years she had witnessed her late husband, Bill, regain independence after a stroke by attending therapy sessions at On With Life's outpatient clinic in Ankeny, so she reached out hoping the program would now help her do the same.
Heidi, who has been diving consistently in the Bahamas for the last 12 years, was attacked by a shark after completing a dive on June 7, 2023. The shark grabbed her left leg just as she was making her way back onto the boat, resulting in substantial blood loss and a serious infection. Her best option was to amputate her leg just below the knee.
It was months after the attack that Heidi received her prosthetic leg and was able to start attending physical therapy at On With Life two to three times a week. Her first session was spent in the new Vector Elite gait track, but she quickly progressed to no longer needing it. Her therapy has since consisted of a variety of tasks, such as climbing up on the tractor in the therapy grounds, to help her get back to living independently on her acreage.
“I have nothing but praise for On With Life because of what Bill went through and was able to accomplish with their help, and now what I have been able to accomplish,” said Heidi.
One of these accomplishments was heading back to the Bahamas for another dive trip just weeks after starting therapy at On With Life. While her latest dive experience was difficult at times, she is determined to stay positive and keep working hard, just as she had witnessed Bill do after his stroke.
“My philosophy from the get-go has been to not dwell on what happened or look back,” said Heidi. “You just have to keep moving forward and do the best you can.”