Paul Natlo is a man whose resilience, hope, and determination embody everything we stand for at Easterseals. His story is one of grit, growth, and reclaiming independence—specifically, the ability to drive on his own again.
Two words come to mind when reflecting on Paul’s experience: “Determination” and “A Long Road Traveled.” And as Christopher Reeve once said, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” Paul is living proof of that.
His journey began in January 2023 with what seemed like a routine home repair. One moment he was standing on a step ladder—and the next, he woke up in the hospital with no memory of what happened in between. Paul had sustained a traumatic brain injury and spent three weeks in the ICU, followed by a stay in a rehabilitation unit. From there, he transferred to Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital, receiving intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy, eventually moving to outpatient care.
His path to recovery brought him to the Easterseals Medical Rehabilitation Program, where he began working with our Occupational Therapy team to regain the skills needed for safe and independent driving.
Paul’s first evaluation was with Raechaell Corbett, who conducted a comprehensive driver assessment. The results showed promise—Paul demonstrated many of the foundational skills for driving—but a behind-the-wheel assessment was needed to fully determine his readiness.
That next step came with Lauren Pires, a Certified Driver Instructor and Occupational Therapist. Lauren’s assessment concluded that Paul could return to driving with restrictions: local, familiar roads only; daytime driving; no highways; and no passengers. She also recommended continued therapy to strengthen the skills required for more complex driving situations.
Paul then worked with Beth O’Sullivan through the OT Crossover Program, where we focused on advanced skills like organization, multitasking, visual perception, scanning, and timing—all essential for safe driving. One unique part of the program allowed Paul to participate as a passenger while we navigated real driving environments. He became my co-pilot, riding through city streets, rural roads, and highways. The turning point came when Paul alerted me to a car entering our lane—right as I was about to brake. His quick thinking and reaction confirmed what we both knew: he was ready.
Paul returned to Lauren Pires for his final behind-the-wheel reassessment, and this time, he passed—with no restrictions. He demonstrated every skill needed to safely and independently operate a motor vehicle, with only a few recommended safety measures in place.
Throughout Paul’s recovery, a stanza from Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken echoed in our minds:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Paul chose the road of hope, persistence, and healing. It was not easy, but with his determination and the support of his therapists, he achieved what once seemed uncertain. Today, he’s not just driving a car—he’s driving his life forward, independently and confidently.
We’re honored to have been part of his journey.
