In the right hands, hope can find a way. This statement
carries considerable meaning for my family and me.
Specifically, when my 22-year-old son Brandon became head injured
in August of 2001, we were suddenly thrust into a situation that I have
been living for 12 years with my patients and their families.
As I was standing in the hospital’s rehabilitation area one
night in Phoenix, I realized that I needed to do something for Brandon.
Although I owned a small physical therapy clinic, I knew it was
not sufficient for what my son needed.
At that moment, I began making notes on what would be needed to
create the best therapeutic environment for him and others who had
traumatic head injury or spinal cord injury (SCI) or were in in similar
situations. As indicated above, my philosophy is that in the right
hands, hope can find a way. At the Neuro Institute, we combine a
unique, personalized and nurturing environment with the latest
technology.
To
assist my son, I began looking for the best rehabilitation programs
available, which I concluded would be either Atlanta’s Shepherd Center
or Bakersfield’s Center for Neuro Skills. After much soul-searching
and prayer, we sent Brandon to the latter.
I knew that if I could bring that type of energy and intensity
into our challenging Neuro-Rehabilitation program, along with great
equipment like the Electrologic Galaxy Bike, Sci-Fit Pro II, Uppertone,
NeuroPulse, Neuro Gait Trainer and a 30 foot I-Beam Walking Machine, we
could create a unique and unmatched therapeutic environment.
We also believe that “immersion”
therapy, combining physical and occupational therapy along with
cognitive retraining for multiple hours per day, is the key to
functional recovery for those who are neuro-challenged.
The
Neuro Institute believes that regardless of mobility, a soul is always
in flight. Everyday, we
encourage our clients to soar, and, as a result, help them to reclaim
their lives.
We
believe that aggressive, specialized therapy combined with a consistent,
positive attitude works best. My
extensive experience, including observing my son’s progress, has led
me to say, “We don’t believe in plateaus!” We will find the
optimal exercises, equipment, and techniques to create the best
opportunities for each patient and their families. At the Neuro Institute, each individual can be free to let go
and soar to be the best they can be. Remember, the best equipment and
programs plus a positive attitude and your effort equals success!
Case Studies:
Over
the past few years, we have had clients with traumatic brain or spinal
cord injury experience great rehabilitation success:
Anthony:
I
started working with Anthony, an L 1-2 paraplegic, six months after
his accident in 1996. He
had limited leg movement and was told that he would probably be in a
wheelchair the rest of his life.
He began a program of intense strength and conditioning.
Anthony has since fathered a beautiful little boy and walks
with a cane.
Kathy:
A 41-year-old former registered nurse, Kathy suffered brain damage
from a drug overdose. Her
family was told that she would probably be in a vegetative state the
rest of her life. Thanks
to a dedicated mother and hard work, Kathy is now talking, fairly
independent, learning to drive, and moving towards independence.
She does regular physical exercise, reads, writes, works math
problems and many other self-directed activities.
Joe:
Although
Joe, a C-6 quadriplegic, was released from the hospital as just
another wheelchair-bound quad, he has regained the ability to walk,
ride a bike, and function out of the wheelchair.
He continues to gain hand and leg strength and movement. He lifts weights, does FES Bio-Feedback, rides a bike, and
walks. Joe is completing his computer-drafting degree.
Lou:
Currently
28 years old, Lou was head injured over nine years ago.
When we met, he faced a life of being institutionalized in a
wheelchair. Initially,
weak with poor balance, Lou has now improved to the point of being
able to run and exercise like any able-bodied adult.
He can now leg-press over 500 pounds.
He is completing a four-year business degree at Arizona State
University.
Andrea:
Andrea
became spinal cord injured in a 1993 skiing accident. After an innovative surgical procedure, she
came to us seven years after her injury to maximize her restored
function. Andrea worked with us for nine months.
Being a T-6 complete paraplegic, she had little movement below
the mid-section. After
aggressive therapy for up to four hours per day, Andrea can now ride a
bike without assistance, crawl unassisted, do unassisted sit-ups, and
do assisted squats. She
will be returning to us to further her rehabilitation.
Amena:
A
46- year old woman from the United Arab Emeritus, Amena sustained a
complete T-10 burst fracture injury. After a special spinal cord
surgery, she worked with us for over nine months. Her therapy included
immersion for over four hours of daily therapeutic exercise.
Although she initially had no ability to ride the FES Bike, she
ended her program with regular workouts of over an hour and higher
levels of resistance. She
has regained hip and torso control and can walk with leg braces.
John:
Working
as a construction foreman nine years ago, John sustained a T-10 spinal
cord injury. When we met, John, a high-functioning paraplegic, had
slight leg movement. With
intense work, John not only regained the ability to walk with KFO leg
braces, but also could take steps without arm support.
Furthermore, he can now walk with a walker or parallel bars
with small braces, which allows knee flexion.
He continues to gain strength and improve his balance.
Conclusion:
In
summary, the Neuro Institute’s programs will continue to grow and
evolve as we learn more about what is best for the neuro-challenged.
This journey has become personal because of its effect on my family.
We will do what is necessary to reach our goals and help others
reach theirs.
