Sandra Sisterhen is a glass half-full type of person and credits her positivity for the many goals she’s reached in life. A local real estate agent for more than 50 years, Sandra is committed to her clients and to helping them navigate the home buying and selling process.

Her positivity has also helped her rally through difficult times, including health challenges. In October 2022, Sandra fell outside her home, but went about her evening. The next morning, she could hardly walk and had lost her balance. She was admitted to the hospital, where she learned she had suffered a stroke. Sandra spent five days there, struggling to put together sentences and communicate with her husband, Gene, and her grown children.

Once she was discharged, the next step was rehabilitation. For Sandra and Gene, it was an easy decision: Aultman Woodlawn. “I had visited people there, and I was so impressed,” Sandra said. “When it was time for me to make a choice, I knew I didn’t want to go anywhere other than Aultman Woodlawn.”

Sandra received therapy services and said the staff provided exceptional care. “From the minute I walked through the door, everything was 100%. The staff was wonderful and very helpful. I was down in the therapy unit three to four times a day for different services. The therapists were so gifted and talented. It opened my eyes to all the possibilities of what people do for you.”

After rehab at Aultman Woodlawn, Sandra went to Aultman North for speech therapy. She said her speech pathologist, Joann, was wonderful, treating her with kindness and professionalism.

Today, Sandra has eased back into her life and work. She and Gene are a united team, and he drives her to open houses and meetings with clients. When looking back on the last few months, Sandra reflects on tapping into her inner strength and positive outlook to aid in her healing. She was eager to tell her story to encourage others facing tough times.

“I think it’s important for people to understand any time you have a sickness or a bump in the road, you have to get your arms around it and move through it. I’m a problem solver, that’s how I get through a lot of things in life. Always go for the positive, don’t see negatives.”

And if others are looking for a rehab facility, Sandra can’t recommend Aultman Woodlawn enough. “My doctor, Dr. Paul Scheatzle, was amazing, and everyone was so proud to work with him. It’s important to me for people to know we have a wonderful facility here with wonderful doctors. They are as kind as can be.”