Joe's story
“My Kessler team helped me understand that it was going to take time to heal. I had their support and encouragement every step of the way, but I still wasn’t sure I could do it.”
Relentless desire to win
As Joe Catena walked to his truck one morning, he caught a patch of black ice and went flying. Joe landed hard, shattering his hip, pelvis and right leg. He underwent more than 10 hours of surgery and spent nearly two weeks at Hackensack University Medical Center.
“All I know is that it could have been a lot worse,” he said.
Remarkably, Joe did not sustain other injuries, but was unable to walk, stand or put weight on his leg. “My Kessler team helped me understand that it was going to take time to heal. I had their support and encouragement every step of the way, but I still wasn’t sure I could do it.”
Joe had one major goal: he wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle at her upcoming wedding. His Kessler outpatient therapists were determined to make that happen. When the day came, Joe not only made it down the aisle, but managed a special dance with his only child.
“The pain I had was nothing compared to the joy I felt at that moment.”
Joe knows a lot about goals. An avid NJ Devils hockey fan and former high school player, he understands it takes a lot of hard work, practice and heart, to be a winner. Like his favorite team, Joe is relentless in his desire to win back his mobility.