Kevin Juzysta, 49, contracted COVID-19 while on spring break in Florida with his family in March 2021 and has since been on a long and complicated road to recovery. He went from needing supplemental oxygen, to needing a ventilator, to going on an artificial heart/lung bypass machine called ECMO. In addition, both of his legs had to be amputated due to complications. Juzysta was hospitalized for over 300 days.
Kevin Juzysta, 49, center, followed by Nicola Juzysta, 48, receives a clapout at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Occupational Therapist Meagan Bergquist, 29, right, watches Kevin, left, complete a task involving putting pegs in a board at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Kevin was not able to do this task when first admitted to Mary Free Bed.
Kevin uses a pulse oximeter at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. He uses the instrument multiple times a day.
Left to right, physical therapist intern Jake Justesen, 25, aids Kevin onto a bed for practice with the help of physical therapist Abby Hescott, 32, and Nicola at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Physical therapist intern Jake Justesen, 25, left, acts as support for Kevin, center, who reaches for a ball from physical therapist Abby Hescott, 32, right, at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Kevin, left, runs through activities with speech-language pathologist Lindsey Caverly, 27, right, at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Images and messages from friends and family of Kevin at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Kevin does exercises during a physical therapy session at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. This push-up position is one of the more difficult moves he performs.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation staff signed a graduation shirt for Kevin's last day.
Kevin, left, followed by Nicola, reacts to seeing his family at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Kevin, center, reacts to seeing his family at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Kevin, center, gets into a car with the help of Nicola, right, and Zachary Juzysta, 15, left, at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Nicola, left, hugs Kevin, right, during an emotional moment at their home in Clarkston.