Grateful for Her Cheerleaders

That Mike and Dorene Berg are alive is a miracle. That Dorene can walk and talk is an even greater defiance of odds. She has worked hard to get where she is today, but it’s been a nearly five-year journey.

In November 2021, Mike and Dorene were struck by a speeding car as they were crossing a street in Tacoma. Both suffered multiple serious injuries and were unconscious when they were transported to the trauma facility at Tacoma General. Dorene suffered seven brain and skull traumas, including a craniotomy. Her other injuries included splenic laceration and fractures to the left clavicle, right tibial plateau, right fibula, neck and ribs.

Several weeks in the hospital were followed by three more weeks in a rehab hospital. Both Mike and Dorene required home care assistance for many months. Rehab included caring for the poly traumas followed by occupational, physical and neuro-speech therapy. In addition, Dorene required neurology and cardiology care.

Just over a year ago, the couple moved to Anacortes from Olympia where they had been living and receiving medical care. Upon a recommendation, they chose Dr. Brittany Whitaker as their primary caregiver. Dorene’s memory loss, slurred speech, balance and mobility issues, along with fatigue were impeding her independence. She was working hard to recover, but her previous therapy sessions had expired and she was getting frustrated.

Dr. Whitaker referred Dorene to Speech-language Pathologist Sima Song.

“I wanted to be more independent and involved in my healthcare decisions. Dr. Whitaker has been such a good resource and advocate for me,” Dorene said.

Speech therapy sessions began mid-March and already Dorene has seen a dramatic difference from where she was four years ago. Song says despite prior intervention, Dorene had continued to experience cognitive-communication impairments that significantly impacted her ability to complete instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), including managing her medications accurately and following simple daily routines. She also reported frequent word-finding difficulties during conversation and increased reliance on her spouse for support.

“Since beginning therapy, Dorene has demonstrated meaningful progress. She reports greater confidence and satisfaction with her communication abilities and is more consistently implementing compensatory memory strategies to support independence at home,” Song said.

Dorene has been a dream patient, working diligently through the lists and tasks assigned each session. She said Song and her assistant notice her needs and allow her to work at her own pace.

“They work with me at my level, never pushing too hard because they know my limits,” Dorene said. “I try to keep my end of the bargain, and I’m grateful for their help. They’re my cheerleaders, and I just love them.”

Once an on-air radio salesperson for Mix 96, Dorene has returned to her love of crocheting. In fact, she has created blankets for the family and friends who helped her and Mike recover, especially during that first year. Mike said she’s always had a creative eye.

“The color leads me,” Dorene said. “I put all my love into the blankets, and each one has intention behind it.”

Dorene and Mike feel confident that Dorene will be ready with the necessary tools to move on successfully when her therapy sessions with Song end. They look forward to more art, gardening and spending time with their beloved dog, Bella.

To learn more about speech-language pathology services at Island Health, visit islandhealth.org/speech or call 360.299.1328.