Being Heard, Believed, and Given a Second Chance

For Debbie Shanks, staying active has always been a way of life. From training horses in her early years to working with Estée Lauder Cosmetics, she’s never been one to sit still. Even in retirement, she fills her days with gardening, interior decorating, baking, and staying connected to her community, especially during basketball season in Waverly.

With two children and a lifetime rooted in movement, independence has always mattered to her.

So when shoulder pain began to take that away, she knew something had to change.

Debbie’s shoulder issues didn’t just cause discomfort, they began to interfere with her daily life in a very real way.

Simple tasks became difficult. Raising her arm, getting dressed, even washing her hair required help. The pain was severe, and her mobility was significantly limited.

For someone who had always been active and independent, the loss of function was frustrating, and discouraging.

She sought care from multiple orthopedic providers, hoping for answers. Instead, she was turned away three different times.

While no one said it outright, the message was clear: because of her age, surgery wasn’t being recommended.

Despite the setbacks, Debbie didn’t believe pain and limitation were something she simply had to accept.

After being told “no” multiple times, she decided to take matters into her own hands, doing her own research to find a provider who would truly listen.

That search led her back to Dr. Brian Cohen at Cohen Orthopedic, a physician she had seen years earlier for other orthopedic concerns.

From the moment she met with Dr. Cohen again, the experience felt similar.

He listened. He asked questions. He took the time to understand not just her symptoms, but her goals, her desire to regain full use of her shoulder and return to the life she enjoyed.

Most importantly, he believed her.

Dr. Cohen was clear and honest about what to expect, including the need for rehabilitation and the reality of recovery. But he also gave her something she hadn’t received from others: confidence.

He told her she was a strong candidate for surgery, and that she could regain her mobility.

For Debbie, that moment was emotional. After being turned away so many times, finally being heard and given a path forward meant everything.

Debbie underwent shoulder surgery on November 14, 2025.

From start to finish, she described the experience as smooth, thorough, and reassuring. On the day of the procedure, Dr. Cohen took time to speak with her beforehand, making sure she felt comfortable and informed.

The care team left a lasting impression as well, kind, professional, and attentive throughout the entire process. Even her sister, who was there for support, noted how positive and well-run the experience was.

At no point did Debbie feel rushed. Every question was answered, every concern addressed.

Following surgery, Debbie committed fully to her recovery, attending appointments, following guidance, and even continuing exercises on her own.

Her progress spoke for itself.

At follow-up visits, Dr. Cohen monitored her movement, checked her healing, and encouraged her along the way, at one point noting she was ahead of expectations.

Today, Debbie is back to doing what she loves.

She’s returned to gardening, lifting bags of mulch, and handling everyday tasks with ease. While she occasionally experiences mild discomfort at night, she describes her overall outcome as life-changing.

Most importantly, she has her independence back.

Debbie doesn’t hesitate when asked if she would trust Dr. Cohen again.

Her answer is simple: absolutely.

In fact, she shared that when she’s ready for her right shoulder replacement, she knows exactly where she’ll go.

To her, the difference wasn’t just the outcome, it was the experience. Being treated with kindness, honesty, and respect made all the difference.

Debbie’s advice to others facing similar challenges is clear: don’t settle for limitations if something doesn’t feel right.

For her, finding the right provider changed everything.

Because when you’re heard, supported, and given the right care plan, it’s not just about reducing pain, it’s about getting your life back.