Just in time for Thanksgiving, Wayne Najar walked out of the Pines of Sarasota Rehabilitation Center with a broad smile and a renewed sense of independence. The 68-year-old Englewood resident had spent 101 days at Pines, relearning how to walk after a sudden and frightening medical crisis changed his life.
“All of a sudden I had trouble walking,” Wayne recalled. He was eventually diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, causing weakness, tingling, and paralysis that often begins in the legs and spreads upward. By the time Wayne arrived at Pines, he was nearly immobile. “I couldn’t do anything. I could barely sit up by myself,” he said.
Wayne had been treated elsewhere before coming to Pines, but the difference was immediate. “When you’re in that position, your dignity goes out the window,” he shared. At Pines, however, personal care was handled with compassion and respect. “It made such a difference.”
Each day began with simple but meaningful moments—breakfast delivered with a smile, a CNA greeting him with a cheerful “Hi, Wayne” and a high five. “They acted like they loved their jobs and loved taking care of me,” he said. That attitude carried into therapy, where staff were upbeat, encouraging, and highly professional. “I actually looked forward to therapy,” Wayne said. “That’s how I got through the days.”
One caregiver, Nicky, became especially dear to him. “She’d come in and say, ‘Good morning, sunshine,’” Wayne recalled, noting how she took extra time to help him eat and feel comfortable. “I love her like a granddaughter.”
Thanks to the dedication of the Pines team, Wayne was able to walk out the front doors on his own. A former homebuilder, he now shares his gratitude with donors. “Your money is well spent,” he said. “You should be proud—it helps a lot of people.” And with a laugh, he added that the desserts, including cheesecake and chocolate cake, made the journey even sweeter.
