Hutch proudly stands to audience applause as his award is announced during the National Rehab Week Patient Awards Ceremony.

Seventy-two year old Hutch Hutchinson from Waldoboro was admitted to New England Rehab in September 2005 suffering from a stroke. Upon admission, he had a spontaneous right cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension and osteoarthritis. Hutch was confused at times, slow to respond and required maximum assistance with mobility. He was placed near the nurses' desk for safety. While he had fairly good strength, he had poor motor planning.

Hutch's wife was by his side daily and helped with his care and attended therapies. He received physical, occupational and speech therapies and made gains in his lower extremity strength. By the time he was discharged from New England Rehab, he had increased insight into his deficits and his overall endurance and cognition were greatly improved.

Hutch is now home, fully ambulatory and exercises. In addition, he has returned to his hobby of making beautiful furniture and restoring his lovely rural home with unique features. His wife reports he is happy, animated and "back to the same old Hutch."