This week, Joe welcomes guest blogger Arlene Martel to the site. What a great story!

For a lot of people, a fractured patella and strained ankle and foot would be painful, but not life-threatening. They take some time off from work, get some rehab, and then get back to the office on crutches in a few weeks and life goes on. However, if you’re an actor, like me, an injury that literally knocks you off your feet means months of unemployment and serious strain on your bank account. It pushed me right to the financial edge until I found the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

My orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Robert Klapper, offered two rehab location options. I chose the Saban Center for Health and Wellness on the MPTF Woodland Hills campus even though it was much farther from my home than the other facility. Oh, my, it’s such a welcoming place. The pool’s warm water is a delight, and the cleanliness is astounding.Jeff, my physical therapist, immediately got me moving and feeling like I’d soon be back on my feet. I really looked forward to those three-times-a-week sessions. The result is a healed knee and ankle, weight loss, and more energy than ever.

Even though I’ve “graduated” from water therapy, you’ll still see me at the gym three times a week. I love the atmosphere! The music is lively without being overpowering and no one is rushing you off the machines. The staff and the people working out are friendly and supportive. It’s easy to stay focused on your routine. Plus, being around people who work in all areas of the entertainment industry makes it even more interesting. If you’re ready to get in shape, you really should take a look at the Saban Center. See you there!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pm and is filed under Community Programs, Health Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post