Meet  Cory Fredrick

When a person is struck down by injury or illness often the routine functions of every day life appear to be impossible tasks. From teaching basic hygiene duties like hand-washing to learning to function in the workplace, Cory Frederick spends his work day helping people regain their self-sufficiency and sense of independence.

A native of Cashton and a 1993 graduate of UW-Madison in Occupational Therapy, Cory brings a unique perspective to his profession. Born pre-maturely, Cory developed Cerebral Palsy and required multiple surgeries and physical therapy in La Crosse to enable him to walk. It was often difficult to balance the demands and duties of his farm family with those many trips. Cory became convinced that what was needed was access to therapy in rural areas.  He found that opportunity after graduation when he joined the St. Joseph's staff.

Coping with his own disability gives Cory a sensitivity to the struggles his patients face everyday. "I have a feel for when to back off and when to push even harder," he says.

One of the things Cory enjoys most about his job is working with his patients from the beginning to the end of their treatment. This can include visits in the hospital, nursing home, and/or the patient's home. In many cases , he visits the patient's home to assess what alterations are required to help the patient become more independent. St. Joseph's also has a training area in the hospital that simulates the home environment where patients learn how to manage everything from personal hygiene to meal preparations.

However simple or complex the disability, his patients learn ways to do tasks that we all take for granted. He sees the average patients from two to four weeks, usually three to five times a week.

One of the reasons Cory enjoys working at St. Joseph's is the co-operation of all of the rehabilitation staff. Everyone works together, he says.

Cory lives near Hillsboro with his wife, Karla (Fiske) and a one-year old son. A proud papa, he can hardly get to his wallet fast enough to pull out a picture of the adorable toddler named Aaron Jerome.