“I Have a New Outlook on Life”
For years, Karen Shupe had a dream of being pain free and having her mobility return so she could go on a hiking trip.
“But I thought I’m never going to make it,” she says. “So, I gave up on that goal.”
Karen had been living with pain for decades. It started before she was a physical education teacher in Digby County, when an accident as a student teacher crushed her big toe. She was limping for years, and all her time on the soccer field also impacted her knees and hips.
“I was at the point where even just getting up to move from point A to point B was with a 4-wheeled walker,” she says.
Karen taught for 32 years and retired about a decade ago. Before her first surgery, she had to eventually move from her own home in Clare to be with family for support.
“I knew I was facing the wheelchair because getting up out of a chair or trying to walk was impossible,” she says.
In February of 2025, Karen came to the Fred Smithers Centre for Orthopedic Care at Dartmouth General Hospital for her first surgery, on her right hip.
“Going into that operating room I was unable to take a step using that leg,” Karen remembers. “But after that surgery was completed, I was immediately able to stand up straight and the pain in the hip was gone. I couldn’t wait to get back in to have the other issues addressed.”
After the hip surgery, came the right knee in September of 2025. Karen had her third operation, her other knee, just a few weeks ago. She says every experience at Dartmouth General Hospital has been a positive one.
“That’s right from when I entered the building, the cleanliness, the helpful staff, everyone’s friendly,” she says.
And Karen is extremely grateful for the work of her orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jennifer Leighton.
“Considering where I’ve been and what I’ve been through, I count my blessings that I fell into Dr. Leighton’s hands,” she says.
Karen is looking forward to getting back on a bicycle, maybe even this summer. The 65-year-old is also looking forward to longer walks, after 10 minutes of walking at a time has been her limit for years. She’s delighted she can walk her dog again and is considering planning a hiking trip in Scotland.
“It was pretty grim for a long time, but this has really lifted my spirits,” she says. “I have a new outlook on life.”
