Celebrating Richie’s Resilience and Zest for Life

Richie’s story is one of determination, humor, and resilience. When Richie came to Ecumen Detroit Lakes, he had just experienced some challenges, but that didn’t stop him from holding onto his zest for life. In fact, it only fueled his desire to reclaim the things he loved most—his family, his business, and his passion for coaching lacrosse. Richie was frustrated by the changes that came with his obstacles, but he was ready to take on the challenge and push through it.

One of the first things Ecumen Detroit Lakes noticed about Richie was his strong personality and infectious energy. “He’s someone who has always approached life with vigor and enthusiasm, and he wasn’t going to let anything change that,” said Deerae Nelson, Ecumen Detroit Lake’s Speech Language Pathologist. As an avid lacrosse coach, an avid traveler, and a family man, Richie had always been on the go. This transition wasn’t easy for him, but it became clear early on that Richie had the resilience and spirit to take on the recovery process headfirst.

What made Richie’s experience even more special was his close bond with the Ecumen Detroit Lakes Transitional Care team. Richie, along with his family, quickly developed a strong rapport with everyone here. He jokes around and there’s always a playful back-and-forth about how the team is “plotting” new ways to challenge him. Richie’s sense of humor shines through in every interaction, and his positive attitude has kept the Detroit Lakes team smiling, even on tough days. His wit and perseverance have been truly inspiring.  

In keeping with the Montessori approach, the Ecumen Detroit Lakes team made sure to explore Richie’s interests and past hobbies. Being from Arizona, Richie shared with us one of his specialties—a mean guacamole! He even told the team about a few secret tricks for making it extra special, and of course, they had to ask him to whip up a batch for everyone. It was a fun and delicious way to celebrate his time at Ecumen Detroit Lakes while honoring one of his passions.

Richie’s journey with Ecumen Detroit Lakes may be coming to a close, but we’re confident that his zest for life will continue to carry him through. “We’re incredibly proud of the progress he’s made, and we can’t wait to see where his journey takes him next,” said Nelson.