As soon as Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s Calli Kahl, MOT, OTR/L, CM, TPT, DN, saw Kyle Pritchard’s surgically repaired left hand, she knew.
“Boxer’s fracture,” said Kahl. “I knew he punched something. I have seen it many times. Young guy gets mad, reacts, and hits something. I could have given him the “why did you punch it?’’ speech, but…’’
Kahl’s instincts told her: “This is different.’’ A patient-first, relationship-building dynamo, Kahl knew it was time to let the kind, young man standing before her, explain.
With his amazing mother, Rhonda, at his side that day, Kyle Pritchard – over the next few minutes – shared with Kahl the events of July 20, 2024, and his reaction to losing the love of his life and bride of just nine months.
He, in hushed tones, explained that his wife, Gabriella “Gabby” Pritchard – a filled-with-joy type who could win over any gathering with her warmth and off-the-wall sense of humor, had – at just 29 years-old – passed.
And the refrigerator – that still holds the dent Kyle Pritchard’s left hand delivered – was an outlet for his grief and sorrow.
“Kyle and his mom, Rhonda, who I have come to adore, explained everything to me,” Kahl said, her eyes welling with tears. “Kyle said his newly married wife had passed away from (cervical) cancer and he punched the fridge after she passed at their home. He was then off work and trying to work through a new “norm” of life without his wife. All this at just 32, all while recovering from this injury. Just listening, taking a holistic and broader approach to help him through what had happened, was the best thing to do at the time.’’
Then, the beauty of a therapist-patient relationship – with a caring and humor-filled mother there for support – blossomed. A friendship that continues to this day.
Over four months, working diligently and benefiting from an uplifting boost from Rhonda Pritchard each visit minus one, Kahl was able to get Kyle back on the job at the Muscatine, Iowa–based, Heinz Company.
“That side was tremendous,” Rhonda Pritchard said of Kahl and the staff at Rock Valley’s Cedarwood (Muscatine, Iowa) clinic. “Dr. (Steven) Boardman did a wonderful job putting Kyle’s hand back together. We have tremendous respect for him. But we have nothing but love for what Calli and Rock Valley are about.
“You have to know, with Gabby and her situation, there were struggles with others in the medical field and it wasn’t good,” Rhonda Pritchard added. “It was nice to have someone like Calli who listened and did a wonderful job with Kyle. It was nice to have someone you could trust, someone who cared.’’
It must be noted, Kahl held Kyle Pritchard to the highest standard when it came to getting his hand back to 100 percent. There was work to be done in the clinic and on his own to bring his damaged hand back.
It must also be noted that Kyle Pritchard’s family – especially Rhonda, her understanding way and her sense of humor – played a huge role in his successful stint under Kahl’s care. And Kyle Pritchard’s willingness to share his sorrow with Kahl – and her ability to understand – certainly allowed the process to move forward.
“Rhonda is phenomenal” Kahl said. “What I loved immediately about her is that she was open and caring. She was there to support Kyle in the toughest of times and still is. So is the rest of his family.”
“Rhonda is also hilarious and can find humor in things others might not be able to,” Kahl added. “And she can lighten the mood or take Kyle to task. I was grateful she knew I was there to help Kyle get better so he could move on from his injury and get back to work while working through his grief. It was truly a bonus that Rhonda was there for support, encouragement, and laughter.’’
Kahl says working with the Pritchards also allowed her to learn about the kind of person Gabby Pritchard was, which played a positive role in Kyle Pritchard’s recovery.
“Amazing,” Kyle Pritchard said of Gabby Pritchard, who despite her many struggles physically, always found humor. “She could get dark with her humor sometimes, but she was always the best thing in the world for me. Having Calli listen – and understand the person she was – helped a ton. Calli didn’t ask questions just to ask questions, she wanted to know, and she cared.’’
Rhonda Pritchard said Gabby Pritchard asked before she passed if she could remain part of the family game night after she was gone. A sign of her humor – even in the darkest of times.
“You want to know about her sense of humor?’’ Rhonda asked. “Gabby asked if we could take some of her cremains and put them in the egg timer so she can be here every time we have family game night. Who does that?’’
Modest to a fault, Kahl will tell you she was simply doing her job, exercising her expertise to meet a unique situation head on. Doing things the Rock Valley way, always noting that taking care of people is why she does what she does. Kahl invested in Kyle and Rhonda Pritchard – and the relationship Kyle had with his late wife – every time they met.
“I commend Kyle in that he has done a lot of the hard things already,’’ Kahl said, marveling that a 32-year-old man can still have a child-like affection for white milk. “My words to Kyle are go “ROCK IT,’’ and embrace this next chapter in life that God has given him. As therapists, we need to be flexible, to listen, to understand and invest in our patients. I’m better for having helped Kyle get back to life. I love what I do.’’
And Rock Valley’s Calli Kahl does it amazingly well.
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller