Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

06/30/2026

As we recognize the last day of National Aphasia Awareness Month, learn how researchers at our Center for Aphasia Research & Treatment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab are working to personalize therapy and improve outcomes for people with aphasia — a condition that can occur suddenly after a stroke or brain injury and impacts a person’s ability to speak, to understand language and to read and write.

Using a non-invasive neuroimaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the researchers are able to measure brain activity of patients with aphasia during therapy to study how the brain responds — and they’re uncovering insights that could help shape more targeted aphasia treatment in the future.

Read more about our aphasia research on our blog: bit.ly/4avSOpt

06/29/2026

Michelle C. was a TV reporter in Green Bay, Wis., when a series of health issues sidelined her career in 2017. After experiencing a brain aneurysm and two emergency brain surgeries, she came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for intensive inpatient therapy and DayRehab.

Throughout her recovery, Michelle has been guided by her personal motto, “I am determined.”

Now, nine years later at age 34:
🌎 She has returned to traveling, having been to 50 states, 54 countries and all the continents (including Antarctica).
📖 She is a newly published author, sharing her recovery story.
🗨️ She continues to live with aphasia, a condition that can occur after a stroke or brain injury that impacts a person’s ability to read, write and speak. She works on improving her speech-language skills and offers motivation to others with aphasia: “Do not quit!!!!!”

In recognition of National Aphasia Awareness Month this June, read Michelle’s story on our blog: bit.ly/3SwCte8

06/26/2026

SkyRise Chicago 2026 registration is officially OPEN!

Join us for the tallest indoor stair climb in the United States on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Willis Tower No matter where you live, you can step up in support of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — in person or virtually — to help us Advance Human Ability!

Register today! skyrisechicago.org

06/25/2026

ABC 7 Chicago recently visited to check in on our patient, Jeremy H., who continues to recover at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Thanks for sharing his journey. 🧡

Watch the full segment at the link in the comments.

Teen celebrates birthday paralyzed, on ventilator 1 year after lifeguard shot him in Chicago

06/19/2026

A simple glance now can help drive a wheelchair. Apple recently unveiled a new Vision Pro accessibility feature that allows people to control powered wheelchairs with only their eyes, leveraging new technology developed by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Northwestern University research scientist Brenna Argall, PhD.

The software used in the new accessibility feature helps translate eye movements into signals that powered wheelchair control systems can understand, and the technology could help users with severe mobility impairments who cannot use hand-operated controls like joysticks.

“Often, as a person’s motor impairment increases in severity, their ability to operate the very machines designed to assist them decreases,” said Dr. Argall. “This technology creates another pathway for independent mobility by allowing users to interact with and control their wheelchair through natural eye movements.”

Read more on our blog: bit.ly/4xKNU22

06/17/2026

Each year, nearly 800,000 Americans survive a stroke. For many, the journey to recovery includes relearning one of life's most fundamental activities: walking. Weakness, impaired coordination and reduced control of the legs can make even simple movements challenging, often requiring months of intensive rehabilitation led by physical therapists as patients work to regain mobility, independence and confidence.

A first-of-its kind study utilizing lower-limb exoskeletons to facilitate virtual therapist-patient interaction during functional tasks — published today in Science Robotics — could revolutionize this paradigm.

“Therapist-led rehabilitation remains the foundation of recovery for many patients, and this research shows promise for complementing this standard of care,” said José L. Pons, PhD, a scientific chair at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, who conceptualized, led and supervised the research program.

Read more at our blog: bit.ly/4esRkO2

06/16/2026

ABC 7 Chicago recently featured 15-year-old patient Wesley F., who came to us for intensive rehabilitation after experiencing a spinal stroke that caused paralysis. The segment highlights Wesley’s determination, the support of his family and community, and how intensive therapy is helping him regain movement and independence.

Visit our blog for Wesley’s story and to learn more about pediatric rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: bit.ly/4otWvSe

06/10/2026

Kellan T. is a high school student and excellent athlete — having been on the varsity tennis and cross-country teams. He experienced a severe stroke during a rite of passage for many teenagers: a routine wisdom tooth extraction.

He came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with complete paralysis on his right side that greatly impacted his mobility and speech. During Kellan’s stroke rehabilitation, his therapists incorporated tennis-based activities into his treatment to help restore movement, strength, dexterity and coordination in his right arm and hand.

Now, he’s back in school full time, and he’s back on the varsity tennis team … and he has a winning record!

Read Kellan’s patient story for more about how he rallied back after a stroke: bit.ly/4akclJm

06/09/2026

We're celebrating 25 years of impact at the Center for Aphasia Research & Treatment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab! 🎉

For the past quarter century, the center has created connection and community for individuals with aphasia — through clinical treatment, research advances, extensive programming and outreach.

Read our interview with Leora Cherney, PhD, CCC-SLP, the center's founder and director, as she reflects on this milestone anniversary, the center's "life-participation approach" and its bright future ahead: bit.ly/4vFdkw1

06/02/2026

For individuals like Jose V. who live with aphasia — a condition that can occur suddenly after a stroke and impacts a person’s ability to speak and communicate — there is no such thing as small talk.

Jose experienced a stroke that left him with many physical challenges, but losing his ability to speak and express himself hurt the most. Fortunately, he discovered our aphasia conversation groups offered at our Center for Aphasia Research & Treatment at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — and he found healing through conversation, connection and communication practice.

In honor of National Aphasia Awareness Month this June, read Jose’s story to learn how he rebuilt his confidence and reclaimed his voice. bit.ly/43HYAAm

06/01/2026

We were proud to be part of the topping-out celebration for Henry Ford Hospital’s new patient tower in Detroit! This moment marked a major milestone in the $2.2 billion expansion of Henry Ford Health’s Detroit campus, as well as in our continued partnership together.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab will occupy three of the top floors in the new patient tower — bringing a state-of-the-art physical medicine and rehabilitation facility and best-in-class care to Detroit. Our inclusion was made possible through a nearly $130 million investment by the Gilbert Family Foundation.

Cheri Blauwet, MD, chief clinical officer and senior vice president of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, spoke at the celebration on behalf of our organization.

“It’s an honor to help shape this next chapter in Detroit and bring world-class physical medicine and rehabilitation care directly to this community,” said Dr. Blauwet.

Read the blog for more on this exciting milestone: bit.ly/3PWKHLA

05/29/2026

"You can't tell, but I'm dancing now. It feels great. I feel ten feet tall."

As ALS Awareness Month continues this May, meet our patient, Cecil P. He comes to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for therapy as he navigates ALS, and his story was recently featured on CBS Chicago. Watch as Cecil works with his care team to stand up for a few minutes during physical therapy.

May is ALS Awareness Month, and a Chicago couple is tackling the devastating disease head-on.