Bonnie Ulrich

Before her illness, Bonnie Ulrich enjoyed an active and independent life. She loved walking around her neighborhood, playing bridge with friends, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Then, one evening, Bonnie felt severe pain while lying in bed. The pain sent her to the hospital, where doctors discovered she had suffered a ruptured colon.

After emergency surgery, Bonnie’s condition began to stabilize. However, she still needed time, care, and support to continue healing. That is when she was referred to Vibra Hospital of the Central Dakotas, a critical care hospital designed for patients with complex medical and rehabilitation needs.

When Bonnie arrived at Vibra Hospital, she still faced many challenges. She couldn’t eat or drink normally, and even getting out of bed was difficult. Despite those obstacles, Bonnie was determined to regain her independence.

At Vibra Hospital, Bonnie worked closely with her care team. Respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and physicians all helped her move forward. Over time, Bonnie rebuilt her strength, endurance, and mobility.

“When I first got to Vibra, it was hard for me to even get out of bed,” Bonnie recalled. “Now I am walking 400-plus feet and am able to complete all of my daily activities.”

Bonnie credits the entire Vibra team for helping her succeed.

“The staff at Vibra has been great,” she said. “All of the nurses and my OT and PT have been so helpful. All of the staff have been so nice!”

Bonnie’s biggest motivation was returning home to her family. With a new great-grandchild on the way, she stayed focused on getting stronger and looked forward to spending time with family and friends.

Reflecting on her recovery, Bonnie shared, “Vibra was the perfect facility for me to get rehabilitated and get back home.”