Less than a year after a devastating motorcycle accident left him with paralysis on the right side of his body, Kyle Schies returned to Reading Hospital - not as a patient, but as a symbol of resilience and determination.
In August 2024, Schies was admitted to Reading Hospital, where he spent approximately six weeks receiving care, followed by another six weeks at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing (RHRW). When he was discharged from rehab in November, he relied on a wheelchair.
Fast forward to spring 2025, and Schies is not only walking again without the assistance of a wheelchair or walker—he’s starting to run.
At Reading Hospital’s annual Trauma Survivors Day held every May, Schies set out with one goal - to jog part of the symbolic one-mile course. Surrounded by his care team members, family, and fellow survivors, he achieved that goal—something he hadn’t done since before his accident.
“I know how hard Kyle worked to be here today,” said Meredith Renninger, MS, OTR/L, CBIS. “He gives every therapy session his all and pushes himself outside of his appointments. Watching his recovery has been powerful for all of us.”
Schies’ recovery is marked by grit and determination. While at RHRW, he had to relearn skills, such as sitting, standing, bathing, dressing himself and brushing his teeth using his non-dominant hand. He participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and continues to attend physical and occupational therapy sessions twice a week. He recently graduated from speech therapy.
Prior to his accident, Schies was active—playing basketball, running, and spending hours at the gym. Fitness might have played a crucial role in his survival and recovery. “They said it may have saved my life,” he said. Looking ahead, Schies remains focused on his recovery. “I want to get as close to 100% as possible,” he said. “I want to play basketball and golf again and get back to work.”
Reflecting on his journey, Schies offers a message of hope to others facing adversity: “No matter how dark it gets, there is always light. Sometimes you have to fight to find it, but it’s there.”