LI Woman Thanks Healthcare Staff, Firefighters Who Saved Her

LYNBROOK, NY — Just 16 months ago, registered nurse Patricia Lewis triumphantly walked out of the Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing on two artificial limbs after losing her legs below the knees due to complications from Type 2 diabetes. At the rehabilitation facility, she learned how to live with her new legs and make them a part of herself — something that saved her life a few months later.

On April 10, 2020, Lewis’ home in Rockville Centre caught fire, and her ability to quickly put on her artificial legs saved her life. The Lakeview Fire Department answered the call and extinguished the fire, however Lewis had to temporarily leave her home while the damage is repaired.

“If I had not been able to put on my legs quickly, or had instead had to use my wheelchair, who knows what would have happened?” Lewis said when she described the night of the fire.

Lewis visited Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing on Wednesday to thank both the staff and the Lakeview Fire Department, which arrived in a fire truck.

“Unfortunately, Ms. Lewis had a terrible fire in her house, and it was the quick response from the Lakeview Fire Department that saved her house, but I’m very proud of the fact that the support and therapy that Lynbrook Restorative Nursing and Rehabilitation provided gave her the ability to put her legs on and walk out the door, and literally save her life,” said Lisa Penziner, RN, special projects manager for Paragon Management.

Back in 2019, while working at the Mercy Medical Center oncology center, Lewis had discounted the symptoms of her diabetes as the results of too many hours on her feet and fatigue. But after suffering a stroke, she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and eventually had both legs amputated below the knee in two surgeries just months apart.