[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 134 (Thursday, September 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 22ND ANNUAL PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT 
     AWARD FROM THE HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL OF ALTOONA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the winners of 
the 22nd annual Personal Achievement Award from the HealthSouth 
Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona, given to encourage and reward those 
who have made an outstanding effort to deal with or overcome a 
disability. This year, I congratulate: Barbara Horne of Hollidaysburg, 
Larry Snyder of Hollidaysburg and Isaac Snowberger of Roaring Spring.
   Barbara Horne is the recipient of a HealthSouth Personal Achievement 
Award. Barbara was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother until August 
31, 2014, when tragedy struck and changed her life forever. Barbara was 
diagnosed with an acute brain stem stroke which caused her to have 
garbled speech, double vision and limpness on her right side. Shortly 
thereafter, she developed a urinary tract infection. She was dialysis 
dependent and was given a small percentage of survival. With hard work, 
determination and assistance from her family, she overcame these 
obstacles. Barbara actually walked out of HealthSouth's facility at 
discharge on November 5, 2014, and now walks without the assist of a 
device. She's been able to return to her active lifestyle.
   Larry Snyder is also the recipient of a Personal Achievement Award. 
On April 3, 2013 Larry sustained a life-changing injury to his dominant 
right hand when it was crushed between the couplings of two railroad 
cars. Larry underwent a total of 7 surgeries to repair vascular, skin, 
bone, nerve, and tendon damage sustained in the accident. Surgeons were 
able to save Larry's hand, but had to amputate his thumb. He also lost 
much of the sensation to his remaining fingers, leaving his hand 
essentially non-functional. Larry was a year away from retirement, 
after a lifetime of work in the local railroad shops, when he sustained 
this injury. With the help of his family and friends, he has fought 
discouragement by keeping an optimistic and cheerful attitude, and 
learned to make his left hand the dominant one.
   Isaac Snowberger is also the recipient of a Personal Achievement 
Award. For Isaac and his family, June 21, 2015 will be a day they will 
never forget. Normally healthy and active, Isaac collapsed at home due 
to an arteriovenous malformation in the brain. His parents were able to 
revive him, and he was taken immediately to Children's Hospital of 
Pittsburgh for surgery. Due to his injury, he had some weakness in his 
right side, balance issues, double vision and swallowing difficulties. 
But Isaac remained in good spirits and has made rapid progress in 
therapy. With his family's help, he is now walking well, and has 
achieved his main goals of returning to high school and participating 
in garden tractor pulling events.
   Congratulations to Barbara, Larry and Isaac. Their accomplishments 
are a testament to us all that with hard work, persistence and a big 
heart, we can overcome any hardship. I honor each of them for their 
perseverance, and I wish them the best as they continue to overcome 
illnesses and disabilities while setting an example for the rest of the 
community.

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