WEST HAVERSTRAW, NY — The New York State Department of Health’s Helen Hayes Hospital (HHH) recognized the accomplishments of its physical rehabilitation patients during National Rehabilitation Awareness Week at the 126th annual Helen Hayes Hospital Honors Assembly on September 15.

Eight patients hailing from Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties were honored at the ceremony “for their positivity and determination while working to overcome disabling conditions such as stroke, brain injury and cancer.”

Held every year since the hospital’s founding in 1900, the Honors Assembly began as a graduation for patients who lived and rehabilitated at the hospital. Today, the event has evolved into a celebration of patient achievement, as well as of the life-changing power of rehabilitation to restore mobility and independence.

Johanne Morne, New York State Department of Health executive deputy commissioner, congratulated the honorees. 

Helen Hayes Hospital CEO Scott Guevin said, “Today we celebrate eight outstanding patients who have given their all in pursuit of greater mobility and independence. Each of their journeys is unique, but they share something important: the courage to face challenges, the determination to keep moving forward, and the willingness to work hard for every milestone and every gain… We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments and to recognize their families and care teams who supported them along the way.” 

Locally, Tyler Grimm of Livingston Manor received the Medal of Independence. See more about him below. 

Adrian Rumsey of Middletown also received the Medal of Independence. While playing with his grandson, Rumsey was struck on the head by a metal pole, sustaining a spinal cord injury that left him with quadriplegia. When he arrived at Helen Hayes Hospital, he was unable to move from his shoulders down, required supplemental oxygen, and was in excruciating pain. Despite all this, he was determined to return to his family and worked tirelessly to regain his independence. By the time he was discharged, he was confidently using a wheelchair, had progressed in his independence with daily tasks, and was even walking 50 feet using assistive equipment and support. Today, he continues to work hard in outpatient therapy and is an inspirational testament to the power of rehabilitation.

Helen Hayes Hospital is a national leader in physical rehabilitation, providing comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and specialty services for individuals recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, neurological and other disabling conditions.

Operated by the New York State Department of Health, Helen Hayes Hospital remains dedicated to improving lives through exceptional rehabilitative care. For more information, visit www.helenhayeshospital.org.

Tyler Grimm

Tyler was involved in a rollover motor vehicle accident that caused a severe fracture to his spine that put significant pressure on his spinal cord, requiring surgery to relieve that pressure and stabilize his spine. This left him with a serious spinal cord injury and paralysis of both his legs.

When Tyler was admitted to HHH in October, he was in significant pain. He initially required a slow, careful introduction to bed mobility, transfers and standing, but progress came quickly from there. He advanced from static standing to walking in the parallel bars, was casted for bilateral ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), and soon began walking with a rolling walker. We saw his motivation to build on that progress really take off. By discharge, he was completing wheelchair-level transfers independently, walking with ankle braces and a walker, and navigating stairs—meeting, and in some cases surpassing, every long-term goal.

While walking was one of Tyler’s main goals, returning to his old life mattered just as much—starting with doing his own hair each morning, of course. Beyond that, his sights were set on fishing, working on trucks, doing yard work, and returning to his job at a golf course—goals he worked toward across recreation therapy with casting practice, occupational therapy with community navigation and self-care tasks, and walking with physical therapy.

Tyler is the epitome of a Medal of Independence recipient. He arrived at HHH a previously independent teenager suddenly reliant on others, in pain, and in an unfamiliar setting—yet he met that challenge with determination in every therapy session. He was also competitive and fun-loving, bonding with staff over a shared love of pickles and turning wheelchair push-up contests and races with our adapted sports coordinator, Pete, into a running rivalry.

What set Tyler apart, though, was his genuine interest in his fellow patients: despite being younger than most, and in many cases having a more debilitating injury than they had, he made a point of getting to know patients across his unit and beyond, encouraging them through their own recoveries with a positive attitude.

Tyler was discharged home on October 30, 2025, using a wheelchair for primary mobility and walking short distances with a rolling walker and assistance—determined to keep working toward walking independently. He overcame early pain, fear and uncertainty not only to reach his own goals, but to lift up the patients around him along the way. When he returned to visit, it was with a smile and a “game on” attitude, ready for another round with Pete.

Tyler, we are so proud of how far you have come in your recovery and know there are so many more accomplishments ahead of you. Congratulations on receiving the Medal of Independence!