Hospital: PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Georgetown
Diagnosis: Traumatic brain injury
On March 31, 2025, Nathaniel Rathbone was attacked by a dog while riding his electric bike to work, resulting in a severe head injury. He was rushed to TidalHealth Nanticoke Hospital and placed on a ventilator, with weather conditions preventing air transfer for
higher-level care.
Nathaniel was later transferred to Christian Hospital for surgery, then to Jefferson for inpatient brain injury rehabilitation. He was discharged home on May 22 with the support of his mother, Geneva.
In September, Nathaniel began outpatient therapy at PAM Rehabilitation Hospital of Georgetown. By December, he had graduated from therapy.
Nathaniel’s therapy team utilized the NSI (Neuro Sensorimotor Integrator), which focuses on high-level balance training for patients with head trauma and neurological injury. The NSI helps improve cognition, balance, motor skills, and memory. Combined with work conditioning therapy, Nathaniel rebuilt strength, endurance, flexibility, and functional skills through exercises that mimic real job tasks—helping prepare him for a safe return to physically demanding work.
His therapy team shared that Nathaniel was consistently encouraging and engaging with other patients. “He was a true joy to have in the gym,” one therapist noted. His COTA discovered his love of dance and used it creatively to strengthen his memory and sequencing skills. Week by week, she taught him a dance routine, gradually building on each step. By the end of his therapy, Nathaniel proudly performed the entire routine—laughing, smiling ear to ear, and finishing with a celebratory high five that perfectly captured how far he had come.
Reflecting on Nathaniel’s recovery, Geneva shared that one of his biggest challenges was relearning basic concepts, such as numbers 0–10. Although it was frustrating when he knew what he wanted to say but the words would come out incorrectly, Nathaniel remained determined and committed to the process.
Eager to return to work and resume the hobbies he loved, Nathaniel took his therapy “homework” very seriously. One assignment required him to bake zucchini bread independently—from reading the recipe to following each step. Geneva recalled sitting in her recliner, watching proudly as he completed the task on his own. Nathaniel later brought the bread to PAM Health to share with his therapy team.
Geneva also shared that after every therapy session, Nathaniel comes out sweating—with pride written all over his face. Each session reflects the hard work and effort he puts into his recovery. “Amazing—just amazing,” is how Geneva describes the care Nathaniel received at PAM Health. She noted that the dedication, compassion, and expertise of the therapy team were evident in every session.
Nathaniel enjoyed outpatient therapy so much that he is now considering returning to school to become a speech therapist and hopes to one day be part of the PAM team. Nathaniel’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, perseverance, and the life-changing impact of compassionate rehabilitation care.
