Spirit Magazine - September 2013 - (Page 135)

Community Outreach + AIR-OMA THERAPY Kate Odorizzi’s post-injury rehab took place in a familiar environment. Healing One of Our Own How a Flight Attendant benefited from the Airline’s generosity. Red and canyon blue. These colors are more to me than just elements of Southwest Airlines branding; they represent a feeling of coming home each and every time I step onboard. About two years ago, I was injured while performing my duties as a Flight Attendant. When I started my recovery journey at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane, Washington, I never imagined that I would be met with these familiar hues. In 2012, Southwest landed at St. Luke’s Community, a 2,200-square-foot therapy area where people recovering from injury or illness learn to be independent again in models of real-life settings. When I walked into St. Luke’s Community for the first time, I encountered a very familiar sight—the fuselage of a canyon blue plane. This particular plane, which has been converted into a therapy module, is the product of a special partnership between Southwest and St. Luke’s. Although Southwest may not have realized it at the time, their sponsorship of the airplane therapy module at St. Luke’s would be instrumental to the rehabilitation of one of their own Employees: me. Practicing in a space that resembled my actual work environment was incredibly helpful, and it was encouraging to benefit from this unique real-world therapy. My therapy team helped me practice specific movements that I would need to be able to do on an actual plane, such as serving drinks, stowing luggage in overhead bins, and performing Safety checks. Not only did I regain my mobility, but I finished my rehabilitation with the confidence I needed to return to work. When I reported for duty for the first time after my therapy, it felt like I was home again. I was so excited to go back to work and be able to perform my duties as a Flight Attendant once more. I truly believe that without the amazing partnership between St. Luke’s and Southwest, my recovery would not have been as successful or as quick. Thank you, Southwest and St. Luke’s—you have truly given me and so many other patients the Freedom to Fly. —Kate Odorizzi SEPTEMBER 2013 SPIRIT 135

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirit Magazine - September 2013

Contents
Gary's Greeting
Gary's Greeting en Español
Star of the Month
Freedom Story
From the Editor
Your Words
Your Pictures
Media Center
Eat Drink Sleep
The Numbers
Business
Chomp, Chomp
"Are You Famous Amos?"
Health
Calendar
Fun!
Spotlight
Community Outreach
Products and Services
Flight Service
Terminal Maps
Information
Rapid Rewards Partners
Route Map
The "If" List

Spirit Magazine - September 2013