Craig Hospital

A top notch inpatient SCI rehab facility... BUT you must understand the nature of SCI and you must be polite to the incredibly hard-working staff.

A few bits of advice if you're headed to Craig:
1. Try to make friends with other patients and their families
2. It's tough, but try not to fixate too much on regaining mobility
3. Try to get outside, even just to the roundabout/courtyard, every day
4. As a family member/caregiver, try to attend as many therapies as possible so you can learn, too
5. Set several SMALL goals and share them with the therapists-- write them on the whiteboard on your room
6. As a patient, push as hard as you can in therapies, but don't be afraid to take a rest day (even if the staff teases you for it)
7. Get the TSA cares information for any time you may need to fly
8. Take the secret tunnel to Swedish Hospital if you're not feeling the Craig cafeteria food
9. Try and do pool therapy ASAP
10. Join the (not Craig-affiliated) SCI discord (found through reddit on r/spinalcordinjuries) for patients and follow WAGS for caregivers

The focus of Craig's SCI program is to prepare patients to live as independently as possible with their CURRENT level of ability. Therapies will focus on finding the right assistive technology, strengthening and stretching the muscles that are in voluntary control, and performing daily tasks despite new mobility restrictions.
I will admit I don't have any other facilities to compare Craig to, but they negotiated with our insurance to make sure we were able to stay in their care until we were prepared enough and stable enough to leave. The expertise of the staff there is incredible, but the negotiation our social worker did was enough alone to make our stay worthwhile.
Family members should try and attend therapies as much as possible (unless the patient requests otherwise). Being able to get guidance from the therapists and practice important skills together is absolutely invaluable.
Be kind to the techs and nurses! Well, be kind to everyone. But the techs and nurses have all kinds of tips and tricks that they'll share if you express interest and haven't been giving them a hard time.
The only faults of Craig are because of the constraints of our healthcare system. In a perfect world, patients would be able to get more sleep, take fewer laxatives, and stay in inpatient for longer. Because everyone on the team wants to maximize the patient's time in inpatient while insurance companies are trying to cut things short, that's not always possible.
I sincerely hope that we find a way to restore full mobility, somehow, for everyone with an SCI in the near future. Until then, Craig will do everything they can to send you back home able to live as independently as possible.

Craig Hospital has been nothing short of amazing. After a catastrophic motorcycle accident in July 2021 my husband was transferred to Craig Hospital. The Doctors, the team of PT/OT/Speech/mental Health and all nursing/tech teams were so far past wonderful, I don’t have a word for it. From the amazing technology in the gym to the entire teams personal investments with our family. These people cared, like on a real life, deep in the thick of it kind of cared about not only my husband but our whole family. My kids and I watched them transform my husband to become independent and strong in his chair transfers and all daily tasks that he will need outside of Craig. Craig took a very hard situation and used all positive reinforcements to teach our family to live happily and confidently in our new normal. Every staff member made it happen. The support staff was just as amazing and are still helping us with our transition to outpatient. I can not give this Hospital enough stars.
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Went here after my accident, everyone was great but they were very low staffed which made things a little difficult. It's been many years since I've been there so it might have changed, but with the covid and nurse crisis, I highly doubt it. People say it's a difficult place to work, but if you have alot of compassion, it shouldn't be that hard. Only bad thing I have to say is the lack of social life skills. But they are still very low staffed. They need more nurses and doctors with lots of compassion, if this sounds like you, I definitely recommend you working here so future patients have a better chance at recovery and the world ahead of them. There are two sides, one for older people and one for younger people. Both are in need of more staff, hope to see lots of help going their way!

Craig Hospital is amazing. My husband in 2018 had a terrible ski accident. He had a serious TBI and other serious injuries. We were from Indiana 1600 miles from home. After spending time at Denver Health in a coma in the ICU and in the PCU my husband needed Rehab. I wanted to go back home for his rehab but he could not travel. I was given several opposition's for rehab which included Craig. I am so thankful I chose Craig. Craig was our home for 2 1/2 months and they sure made us feel like we were home. Being 1600 miles away from home and all alone they gave me 30 days stay for free in the hospital apartments. My husband's treatment there was fabulous. My husband is back to work doing the job he loves being a firefighter. Thank you Craig for all you did for my husband and my family.

I was in a severe accident. I was extremely injured, including brain injury, and a five broken vertebrae. This is, by far, the best hospital I have ever seen! They are great at what they do, and they actually care! The facility is very nice, including an apartment building they use like a hotel for your loved ones visiting. It is nice!
I have seen hospitals all over the nation, through family injuries, and illnesses. NONE of them begin to compare! Even out in DC, the hospitals there don't touch Craig. Other hospitals should try their best to be more like Craig! They make good food too! Always have a tech with you, as long as you need it! What a beautiful place! What amazing people work at Craig! I couldn't have asked for a better hospital, doctors, nurses, or techs! I consider myself very lucky to have been there! I was there for just over 3 months. They still care how I'm doing! What an amazing, fantastic place! Thank you for making so much injury liveable, and having such a great staff! Craig rocks!

We are still inpatient right now and upon reading all of the one star reviews I cannot agree with any of them that put this place down. My husband has a severe brain injury along with multiple amputations and they believe in him when no one else did. The nurses and techs are amazing and treat him like family. The therapists work Patiently and diligently with him and expect the most out of him. The place is clean and is such a hopeful atmosphere. We’ve been here over 4 months and while I miss home so much my husband is right where he needs to be. They’ve taught me so much so when we go home he is going home and not into a nursing home. My husband was in an LTAC facility for 4 months before Craig so I saw what overworked was there and consequently how patients fared poorly because of it—not the case at Craig. We are glad to be here and would recommend this place if someone had the misfortune of needing such a facility.

Such a positive, family environment. Felt so honored and grateful to be there. It was a struggle to get there, but so well worth every ounce of effort. All of the staff are exceptional and truly caring and professional. My fiance suffered a stroke, was given very low expectations for recovery, and Craig turned all of that around. They had him out of bed and showered for the first time in a month the day after we arrived. They didn't stop providing him multiple options for medical treatment, rehabilitation, recreational activities, and hope for our three months there. Today he is continuing to make great strides in his recovery thanks to the wonderful time at Craig. As a caregiver I, too, am deeply grateful for all that I learned there and use daily. We will always be proud to be a member of the Craig alumni family.

The people who work at Craig are the biggest part of what makes this place great. Are they perfect and can they work miracles? No, because nobody is, and nobody can. What they will give you is hope. Hope that there is life after recovery. They will try to give you the tools to help your loved one get back to as independent a life as they can. They have been very generous to my family, and we have learned a lot about adjusting to life going forward.

We felt so fortunate that my son was able to rehabilitate from his motorcycle accident at Craig. I can’t imagine having a better experience anywhere else. My son arrived at Craig just over a month from his accident date. He had a serious TBI with very limited mobility on his left side. The staff was attentive, friendly and vey professional. We worked with a great team of therapists who coordinated together his recovery. He was walking and talking in no time! Their program is structured such so the patient improves daily. The rooms are comfortable (except for the recliners. They are the most uncomfortable chairs ever.) and roomy. The food is probably better than average hospital food. The equipment is state of the art and he loved the warm therapy pools. We loved all our nurses and techs. It was almost (almost!) sad to leave. I would be hard pressed to find any place better to recover from a TBI or spinal injury.

Coming from a hospital where most of the staff had never dealt with a spinal cord injury before, and ending up at Craig was such a relief. The staff is very knowledgeable and is able to help make sense of a catastrophic injury. The staff helped to give some order to the most chaotic and scariest moments of our lives. We are very grateful to have been able to come here.

My husband was in a plane crash in June 2013 and spent 6 weeks at Craig Hospital recovering from a spinal cord injury and a TBI. The hospital and the staff are superb--both my husband and I, the caregiver, were extremely happy with the expertise and quality of care my husband received. We live in San Diego, and I can tell you there is no place like Craig within a 200 mile radius of San Diego. Because they focus on these two types of injuries, they can organize to be the most efficient in the delivery of the best care. We felt that he made his maximum recovery possible in the time spent at Craig because of the level of their care. We would tell anyone in a similar circumstance to consider going to Denver for the best possible recovery.

Craig Hospital has been amazing since the moment I called to inquire about my son coming to stay for his rehab. Mason says "Its the best place he has ever stayed" Honestly though, he has been well cared for and the staff put my mind at ease when I had to return to work and leave my boy in their hands. I never once worried about him while I was away. After 6 weeks we are finally going home and couldn't be more grateful for everyone from the housekeepers, cooks, bistro staff, Techs, nurses, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, neuropsych therapist, teachers, case worker and Dr. Spier and Dr Staley who were the leaders in his care. He had hours of therapy every day with one goal, to get him better and home and tomorrow we are headed home! Craig Hospital is my #1 recommendation for anyone who needs rehab after a brain or spinal cord injury.

My Dad was at Craig for a little more than 3 months after suffering a TBI. The staff did a phenomenal job and the facility is absolutely amazing. We were blessed to have been accepted by Craig Hospital. After going through what seemed an endless nightmare at Vibra Hospital in Thornton my Dad finally had the compassion and care every human deserves and my gratitude is beyond words.

Not knowing what is about to happen after a traumatic experience. Your loved one is sent to this facility hoping they will be able to help them. My brother was a patient here years back and I just came back to leave a review and tell people how amazing this Hospital is and how fortunate we were to have them at that time. I hope it continues to exist for a long time. Just know that there will be ups and your downs but this place knows what they are doing and they have been doing this for years. They literally saved his life and helped us prepare for the future. Thank you Craig Hospital and especially you Kate and Katie where ever your girls are!!

I got hit by a vehicle going 40 mph while I was crossing a crosswalk with the right of way and suffered from a tbi and couldn’t walk in the beginning and being at Craig for just two months got me back to where I was before and I’m still going to Craig for outpatient therapy and I’ll be done with outpatient 5 months after being hit. I’m now able to walk and go back to work in irrigation pretty soon. The staff here are very caring and make it to where you’re not struggling to get back to society. They keep up with you to make sure you’re doing well. I’m completely deaf after being hit and they were able to get me hearing aids without me having to worry or stress about paying for them. They want what’s best for you and do what is best for you!

The Best Rehabilitation Hospital In The World!! Everyone is so nice and caring!!

My brother Tyler (33 years old) was in a motorcycle accident June 23rd 2019 and suffered a TBI, multiple spinal fractures and many broken bones. 5 weeks post accident he suffered a stroke ( on his left side) which they failed to tell us about. After the initial hospital recommended to send him to a nursing home he was accepted at Craig. Words cannot express how grateful we are of the entire Craig team. This place is the best of the best.

Everyone was so incredible to work with. Taylor Corcoran Speech therapy, Katie Hays and Isabella Blood Physical therapy, Amy Frikie Occupational therapy, Brenda and the whole Recreational therapy team, Dr Mears, all of the wonderful Techs, the superb nurses, the staff in the Peak center, the staff in the Bistro, the administrative staff, housing staff, absolutely everyone . We thank all of you so very much for helping Tyler and the entire family. They are all the A-team. Everyone is happy to work there and that says so much about a place when you are going through such a difficult time.

Tyler started back to work this week Late Feb 2020 and his life is getting back to normal. This is his hard work and your hard work coming to fruition. Thank you for giving us our Tyler back and giving him a future. They are there for the patient and the family. You really feel like a community when you are there.

I couldn't recomend a place more then Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver Colorado. Thank you Craig team.

Great hospital, Doctors and support staff! Can't say enough about Craig and how they mend not only damaged spinal cords and TBI but also mend the heart's of the patient's and their families. Helping them readjust to a whole different world making the transition much easier.
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The hospital to me it felt like "a hotel or spa" because they truly do care about the patients that are in their hospital. The best thing about that hospital is everything, especially the dogs that they have come in. & I am an old patient that was at Craig Hospital & when I was there I never wanted to leave but I had to go, & I still love that place!

I went here back in 2008 my senior year of high school!! I was in a near fatal accident and suffer from TBI!! Everyone here is great and I received great therapy that still helps me with everyday life and I’m glad I was fournate enough to recive my rehabilitation here!! I saw Dr David Ripley whose no longer with them but was a great doctor!!