Body
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab recently celebrated the retirement of one of its longtime peer mentors, Bob Foys, after 10 years of dedicated volunteer service.
Bob, who will turn 85 on his next birthday, served as one of approximately 35 volunteers in the Peer Mentorship Program offered through the rehabilitation hospital’s Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center.
In the program, current patients are paired with peer mentors who offer guidance, perspective and support based on their personal experiences with rehabilitation — whether it is in relation to recovery from an illness, injury or surgery; living with a chronic condition; or adjusting to life at home and in the community with impairments or altered abilities.
Bob served as a peer mentor to patients at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab who — like him — have received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), an implant that helps the heart pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body via a permanent tube.
While Bob’s decade of peer mentorship was rooted in his personal journey, his motivation came from a desire to help the community — and his commitment is admired by many at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
From Living with an LVAD to Peer Mentorship
Body
When Bob was 70, he was diagnosed with stage-four congestive heart failure, and it was determined that he should have LVAD surgery so the implant could assist with pumping blood into his vascular system.
LVADs are used as a bridge therapy for heart transplant candidates awaiting a donor, or as a permanent therapy — or destination therapy — for patients who, for age or medical reasons, do not qualify for a transplant.
“That’s my situation. Originally, it was thought that the survival rate would be two-plus years, but I have lived 14 years with my LVAD,” Bob shared.
With a wealth of personal experience, Bob decided to give back by becoming a peer mentor to support other patients in similar circumstances.
“Since 2014 I’ve been mentoring patients recovering from the LVAD implant, demonstrating that LVAD makes a high quality of life possible,” he said.
Connecting with a Patient-Centered Mindset
Body
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab treats approximately 70 patients with LVADs each year, providing integrated care including intensive physical, occupational and speech-language therapy and psychological support to help patients recover from surgery and adjust to living with the device.
As a peer mentor, Bob met one-on-one with patients with LVADs to share his personal story and invite them into a conversation. He always sought to be as “patient-minded as possible,” making them feel comfortable to open up about their specific anxieties, concerns and questions.
Bob said he related to patients who have permanent LVADs — as he does — and the emotional impact that comes with it.
“I shared what the LVAD enables them to do, which seemed to help people get over the emotional hump,” said Bob. For example, Bob said he would never have seen his granddaughter grow into the talented and accomplished young lady she is today were it not for having an LVAD.
For patients who have an LVAD as a bridge before a heart transplant, Bob found they were interested in learning about managing activities of daily living — such as showering and exercising. Also, as an LVAD includes six pounds of external equipment, patients also were interested in understanding what kind of clothes they could wear so the device would appear less conspicuous.
“I helped patients envision what it’s like to be on the other side,” said Bob. “I helped them seriously deal with their condition, and to go on from there as close to normally as possible.”
Bob said being a peer mentor requires flexibility, time and energy — but the experience has introduced him to some of the most incredible people he has ever met.
“Peer mentors have been through what the patient is going through — and they can help,” he said.
Bob’s Impact at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Body
As Bob steps away from peer mentorship, those who have worked closely with him recognize the deep impact he has had on the program. Fortunately, one of his prior mentees, Mike, now has become a mentor for those with LVADs.
“Bob paid me a visit after my LVAD surgery, and it was a very informative session,” said Mike. “By hearing about Bob's LVAD experiences, my attitude changed — and I knew I could get through this. I also promised Bob that I would help others and be a mentor for new patients with LVADs.”
Liz Wojciechowski, PhD, MS, RN, is an education program manager in the LIFE Center and has known Bob since he first became a peer mentor.
She views Bob as both a colleague and a friend and believes he has been a successful peer mentor because he finds a shared interest — a “golden nugget” — to relate to every patient he meets, be it history, sports, travel, current events or other topics.
“He is a compassionate warrior,” said Liz. “Getting an LVAD is a huge lifestyle change for patients. Bob was very realistic that the journey has ebbs and flows. Because he showed honesty, resiliency and wise problem-solving, he helped patients realize ‘I can manage this. It might be an adjustment, but I can do it.’”
Cris Mix, OTR/L, the peer mentor coordinator and an education program manager in the LIFE Center, echoed these sentiments.
“From the start, Bob was motivated to be a peer mentor to share his lived experience,” said Cris. “He has a way of helping patients feel at ease from the moment he steps into their room with a smile on his face. Bob was both positive and honest about his journey, which has helped patients prepare and has given them hope.”
Becoming a Peer Mentor
Body
The LIFE Center welcomes new peer mentors, especially people who are at least two years into their rehabilitation journey and who have successfully made the transition back to the community.
The LIFE Center values mentors with diverse backgrounds, conditions and experiences to help serve the broad range of patients at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Peer mentors receive special training on how to provide their own perspectives, insight and support in a patient-centered manner, and are equipped to talk with patients about relationships; coping and adjusting to new abilities; accessibility, equipment and activities of daily living; quality of life; and transitioning back to the community.
