Magee Rehabilitation – Oxford Valley

Siona's Story

At just 24 years old, Siona Zellis has endured more than a lifetime of surgeries, doctor’s visits and therapy sessions. But a life-changing accident four years ago and a very special relationship with a physical therapist also helped her discover her career.

In fall 2012 Siona was living in Brooklyn, NY. She had her own apartment, worked as an assistant in a preschool during the day, and took college courses at night. It was a full, busy, and independent life. One night that January, she was talking with a friend outside her apartment. Two cars crashed in an intersection, and one slammed into Siona as she stood on the sidewalk. The impact caused a severe degloving injury to her right leg.

“It’s almost like a bad burn because of the skin and tissue loss,” Siona says. “There were doctors who thought I might be happier if I elected to amputate.”

Siona had nine surgeries at three different hospitals before arriving at Magee.

When she got to rehab, Siona was hurting both physically and emotionally. Bedridden for weeks and unable to take care of herself, she felt incredibly vulnerable.

But one day in the therapy gym, Siona describes an awakening.

“I remember thinking, ‘Rehab is my life now.’ Even though I didn’t ask for it, it’s my responsibility to try to get better,” Siona says. “I knew I wouldn’t get my life back if I didn’t work for it.”

Bringing therapy closer to home

After about a month, Siona transitioned to outpatient therapy at Magee Oxford Valley, close to her parents’ home in Bucks County.

My goal at that time was to improve my walking,” recalls Siona. I had come out of Magee dependent on crutches. I needed overall conditioning and strengthening.” Siona’s mom, Sheryl, accompanied her to rehab.

Siona’s physical therapist at Magee Oxford Valley was Lynn Cunningham. Lynn specializes in treating not only routine conditions, but complex cases such as Siona’s.

Siona remembers Lynn not only being an excellent therapist, but an understanding and supportive friend. “I was in a pretty vulnerable state,” she says.

Siona’s mom, Sheryl, accompanied her throughout her rehab. As an occupational therapist herself, Sheryl immediately felt comfortable with Lynn’s care. From a professional perspective, Sheryl has an advantage in understanding what is important in therapy, such as a background in rehabilitation in an inpatient setting, like Magee.

“Lynn is a fantastic therapist. She saw right away that Siona is very bright and was motivated to get better. She established a connection with Siona and empowered her to use those qualities to get her through this very difficult and emotional situation. It definitely helped in obtaining a positive outcome.”

Sheryl was so impressed with Lynn and Magee at Oxford Valley, that when it came time for her own physical therapy from a knee injury, she chose to go there as well.

“My orthopedic surgeon wanted to send me to another PT practice, but I told him I had my own therapist,” jokes Sheryl. “Since then, Lynn has also treated my husband and my youngest son. I guess you could say she’s our family’s personal PT! The fact that we have a professional like her in our community that we can rely on makes this journey so much easier.”

Moving forward

It wasn’t until 2015, at almost 21 years old, that Siona was ready to try college again. But now she knew for sure what she wanted to do with her life. She enrolled in an Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Eastwick College.

“I fell in love with OT while I was at Magee because it’s all about engaging in what we enjoy and what’s meaningful to us,” Siona says. “For therapists, nothing is impossible.”

She graduated in December 2016 with a 4.0 GPA and received her class’ merit award of excellence. She was also asked to speak at the ceremony. In January 2017, she passed her OTA boards.

But she wasn’t done with therapy yet…Siona’s latest challenge was a tendon transfer surgery in June 2017. She’s back in therapy at Magee at Oxford Valley, hoping to regain her strength and walk independently. Lynn has confidence that Siona will achieve her goals.

“She’s a fighter,” says Lynn. “I’m so proud of how hard she has worked to come back from this very difficult injury and throughout her multiple surgeries. She is making great progress in getting herself closer to that first job as an occupational therapy assistant.”

Siona has some good advice for others with unexpected physical challenges. “To anyone going through something like this, I would just say: your story has changed, but you’re going to write a new one.”

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