• Our Services
    • Our Services
    • Therapy Tools
  • Our Team
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Partners & Board
    • NeuroHope News
    • Media Coverage
    • Videos
  • Success Stories
  • FOUNDER’S STORY
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Menu Menu
  • Home
  • Our Services
    • Therapy Tools
  • Our Team
  • About Us
    • Partners & Board
    • NeuroHope News
    • Media Coverage
    • Videos
  • Success Stories
  • FOUNDER’S STORY
  • Events
    • 6TH ANNUAL SWING “FORE” HOPE GOLF SCRAMBLE PRESENTED BY VALEO FINANCIAL
  • Contact
  • Donate

Aika’s Story: From Paralysis to Walking The Monumental Marathon

October 27, 2016/in General Blog Posts/by Chris Leeuw

In 2013, Aika Yoshida (an orthopedic physical therapist) suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury that initially left her paralyzed with an uncertain future.  Aika’s remarkable recovery led her to walk – yes, walk – a portion of last year’s Indianapolis Monumental Marathon with Team NeuroHope.

An athlete. A fighter. A motivator.

Aika shares her story below, and inspires EVERY ONE OF US!

Celebrating Today

You love to run. What would you do if you suddenly lost that ability? It’s human nature to wish for something more instead of celebrating what we already have.

On July 28, 2013, my life changed forever. I had an accident practicing acrobatic yoga, which resulted in a C6 incomplete spinal cord injury. Initially, I was paralyzed from the neck down and I was hospitalized for 1 month. I had to learn my new body and hope to regain some mobility. I always considered myself an athlete: a marathon runner, rock climber, mountain biker, and snowboarder. Not only did I loose my identity as an athlete, but I also thought I lost my career as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist. In the past, running was one way to manage my stress. I felt completely lost and didn’t know how to cope with the new life that I was suddenly forced to face. My role has completely flipped, as I became a patient to receive therapy instead of providing therapy.

With help from numerous outstanding health care providers, generous support from friends and co-workers, my stubbornness/determination and some luck, I regained the ability to walk. I also returned to climbing as an adaptive climber with help from the non-profit organization called Paradox Sports based in Boulder, CO. Through this experience, I realized that I am still the same person who loves physical activities and has the heart of an athlete despite my disability. I felt a tremendous accomplishment when I first walked 1 mile on my own which took me nearly 30 minutes. Over the next 2 years, I kept increasing my speed and duration of walking just like how I used to train for marathons.

Twenty-eight months after my injury, I stood on a starting line to walk 13.1 miles using my carbon fiber leg brace and 2 walking sticks at the Monumental Half Marathon with my former inpatient rehab physical therapist, Nora Foster and co-worker, Ray Varner. This was a big challenge for me physically but also mentally to face many runners while reminding myself that I no longer have the ability to run in the process. I chose this race because I wanted to celebrate my recovery but also wanted to raise money and be part of Team NeuroHope where Nora now works providing therapy to those with injuries similar to my own. NeuroHope is an innovative physical therapy clinic in Indianapolis. Chris Leeuw, also a spinal cord injury survivor founded this clinic to provide long-term rehabilitation and wellness following neurologic injury. As a physical therapist myself, I understand the importance of long-term rehab, health and wellness, but unfortunately, many patients cannot afford the service due to financial limitations and/or insurance restrictions. We are also lacking places and groups for individuals like Chris and myself to be a part of after discharge from initial rehab. I am excited to announce that Team NeuroHope raised over $8,000 in 2015 with support of many generous donors, which allowed the clinic to purchase new equipment.

Crossing the 13.1 mile-finish line on my own two feet with my formal therapist and co-worker had a bigger impact on my life than past full marathons I’ve completed. I still love challenges as an athlete, however, my obstacles and goals are now just different. It’s important to focus on my current ability instead of my disability, so I can enjoy my new challenges. To promote mental and physical health to all people, I’ve used my journey as an opportunity to start Indy’s first adaptive climbing club to share my love of activities and to promote health and wellness with people with physical (dis)abilities.

Everyone faces adversity, whether it is apparent or not. The best thing I’ve learned through this journey is to focus on this present moment and to celebrate today.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.

-Aika Yoshida

On November 5th, Team NeuroHope will be lining up again at the 2016 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in!  Learn more about our team members and pledge your support to their run here!

Tags: Aika Yoshida, Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Team NeuroHope
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aika_blog.jpg 350 960 Chris Leeuw /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svg Chris Leeuw2016-10-27 11:55:522016-10-27 11:55:52Aika’s Story: From Paralysis to Walking The Monumental Marathon
You might also like
Team NeuroHope at the Monumental Marathon!
Team NeuroHope at the 2016 Monumental Marathon
Team NeuroHope at 2017 Monumental Marathon!

Archive

Categories

  • Annoucements (32)
  • General Blog Posts (74)
  • Homepage (19)
  • Media (14)
  • News (14)
  • Personal (1)
  • Success Story (15)

Facebook

Instagram

neurohope

View

Dec 7

Open
Staff Spotlight Video: We’re shining the spotlight on Megan Lashley, MS, a Neurorecovery Exercise Specialist at NeuroHope. Megan is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certified Exercise Physiologist, whose passion for neurologic recovery began when she was a sophomore in college after completing shadowing hours at NeuroHope. Less than a year later, she returned to NeuroHope as an intern, where she once again fell in love with NeuroHope’s mission. After graduation, Megan went on to earn a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Indianapolis, and she joined NeuroHope full-time in 2020.

Megan aspires to travel to all of the national parks within the US, while also spending time in all 50 states, following in her grandparents footsteps. She also enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family, friends, and her dog.

In this video, Megan discusses how NeuroHope is unique in that long-term, affordable care is available for everybody. She explains how there is a continuum of care at NeuroHope that addresses a spectrum of needs and goals at every stage of recovery. Megan shares how much she enjoys building relationships with NeuroHope clients and being part of this special team. Check out Megan’s video here…

#neurohope #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #hope #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness  #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Dec 2

Open
It’s a Patient Party! Celebrating our amazing people and kicking off the holiday season with the best folks we know! 

#happyholidays #tistheseason #neurohope

neurohope

View

Nov 29

Open
The healthcare system is complex, especially for people recovering from neurological conditions like spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke. The cost of care is high and the time spent in insurance-covered rehabilitation is short. Our mission revolves around providing services for the people that fall through the cracks of healthcare. This is why we are here.

We smashed our $5,000 #GivingTuesday goal and raised $12,000 to support our programs for people recovering from paralysis. 

Thank you for supporting NeuroHope!

#givingtuesday #neurohope #affordablerehab #spinalcordinjury #neurorecovery #affordablehealthcare

neurohope

View

Nov 28

Open
♥️ It's GIVING TUESDAY! We would love your support as we strive for $5,000 today for a new medical record system! 

The largest giving day of the year. We appreciate your support and belief in what we do - and we hope you will consider supporting NeuroHope today!
 
Donation link is in our bio!
Follow along our IG Stories for patient videos today!

-The NeuroHope Team

#givingtuesday #neurohope #affordablerehab #spinalcordinjury #neurorecovery #affordablehealthcare

neurohope

View

Nov 27

Open
ONLY 1️⃣ MORE DAY ‘TIL GIVING TUESDAY!

Tomorrow is GIVING TUESDAY – the largest fundraising day of the year!
Please help us reach a $5,000 goal for a new medical record system!
 
We will share the donation link TOMORROW MORNING!
 
In the meantime, the last program highlight in our three day email series is below, featuring the monthly wellness and adaptive fitness programs at NeuroHope. 

Monthly Wellness Program:
 NeuroHope provides an affordable “next step” in care for people recovering from paralysis. 
 
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and personal training (guided rehabilitative exercise) are the core programs we provide, but NeuroHope also recognizes that recovery is about more than “therapy”.  Our monthly wellness program, called the “Path to Independence” (PTI) program, is an important part of our model of care, with more than 40 of our 120 active patients enrolled!
 
The PTI program is led by Wellness Coordinator Mel Spencer.  Mel earned her Master’s degree in Exercise Science and uses her knowledge to develop exercise plans for clients for open and supervised gym access at our adaptive fitness center.  With assistance from our amazing therapy techs Caroline Kavanaugh, Ryan Bardellini, and student interns, Mel also leads daily group cardio and adaptive strength training classes.

Our wellness program has grown to feature much more than physical fitness. 
 
The caregiver support group “Warrior Wednesdays”, and community group “First
Friday with Friends” led by PTA Lydia Miner and patient Jenny Rosebrock and caregiver Mary Meredith meets each month,  and we look forward to adding nutrition and mental health programs in the coming year!
 
Together, we have created a community that has evolved into a critical resource for the spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke community in central Indiana. 
 
Our growth through the years has been possible thanks to supporters LIKE YOU!

Thank you and stay tuned for TOMORROW!
-The NeuroHope Team

#givingtuesday #neurohope #affordablerehab #spinalcordinjury #adaptivefitness #affordablehealthcare #guidedexercise #personaltraining

neurohope

View

Nov 26

Open
2️⃣ DAYS ‘TIL GIVING TUESDAY!! 

We are TWO DAYS away from the nation's biggest fundraising day: GIVING TUESDAY!  On Tuesday morning, we will share a donation link and ask for YOUR HELP to smash our $5,000 goal for the day to fund a new medical record system for the clinic, so don't miss it! No matter the donation amount, every dollar is a difference-making impact. 
 
Each day until then, we're highlighting the three programs at NeuroHope (Physical / Occupational Therapy, Guided Exercise, Monthly Wellness) that make our comprehensive program so unique.

Guided Rehabilitative Exercise:
 It takes months, sometimes years to recover from neurologic injury - much more time than insurance-based therapy allows.  NeuroHope understands that recovery goes beyond therapy.  Our unique model of care features a Guided Exercise (GE) team of kinesiologists and personal trainers that specialize in rehabilitative exercise and work with our physical and occupational therapists to provide patients a critical "next step" in care.
 
The GE Team is led by Director Bart Richwalski (MS, CSPS), Neurorecovery Exercise Specialists Barry Moore, Megan Lashley, Steven Bowser, Marshall Sparenberg, and Exercise Specialist Hamilton Spidle. 

NeuroHope is special because of our comprehensive model that ensures affordable, longer-term access to therapy and fitness programs are available for people living with paralysis.
 
We have helped more than 500 people on their road to recovery - thanks to supporters LIKE YOU!

Thank You and stay tuned!
-The NeuroHope Team

#givingtuesday #neurohope #affordablerehab #spinalcordinjury #adaptivefitness #affordablehealthcare #guidedexercise #personaltraining

neurohope

View

Nov 25

Open
3️⃣ DAYS ‘TIL GIVING TUESDAY!!!

The largest fundraising day of the year is THREE DAYS AWAY! Each day until then, we're highlighting the three programs at NeuroHope (Physical / Occupational Therapy, Guided Exercise, Monthly Wellness) that make our comprehensive program so unique.

As the holiday season kicks off with BLACK FRIDAY and CYBER MONDAY, don't forget about GIVING TUESDAY!

On Tuesday morning, we'll email a donation link, and ask for YOUR HELP to smash our $5,000 goal for the day to fund a new medical record system for the clinic - so don't miss it!
 
Physical and Occupational Therapy:
Patients recovering from neurologic injury are discharged from the hospital in a matter of weeks.  Unfortunately, their long rehabilitative journey has just begun.

Extended care programs at NeuroHope begin with the Physical and Occupational therapists that guide treatment plans and tailor their care to maximize neurologic recovery for patients when they leave the hospital.
 
Our therapy team is led by Director Elliot Cohee (PT, DPT, NCS), physical therapists Brittanie Helgeson and Ali Peters, PTA Lydia Miner, and Occupational therapists Elizabeth Mahay and Krista Kaufman. 

Our amazing therapy team works with our Guided Exercise team (kinesiologists) to ensure a high standard of rehabilitative exercise continues following their clinical discharge.
 
NeuroHope is special because of our comprehensive model that ensures affordable, longer-term access to therapy and fitness programs are available for people living with paralysis.
 
Our growth through the years has been possible thanks to supporters LIKE YOU!

Happy Holiday season, and stay tuned!
-The NeuroHope Team

#givingtuesday #neurohope #affordablerehab #spinalcordinjury #adaptivefitness #affordablehealthcare #physicaltherapy #occupationaltherapy

neurohope

View

Nov 23

Open
It has been the largest year of growth at NeuroHope! We added staff, brought high-tech therapy tools to our clinic, started a new research project to track the health of our patients, and most importantly - helped more than 200 families receive extended care in their fight against paralysis. 

We are eternally grateful for the donors, sponsors, and community partners that make what we do possible.

On behalf of our entire team: THANK YOU and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

#neurohope #neurorecovery #affordablerehab #thankyou #thankful #grateful

neurohope

View

Nov 20

Open
PT Brittanie working with Mike on the @hocomamedical Lokomat.  Robotic gait training after #spinalcordinjury.  Keep pushing Mike!

neurohope

View

Nov 16

Open
Staff Spotlight Video: We’re shining the spotlight on our (newly promoted - YAY Barry) Lead Neurorecovery Exercise Specialist, Barry Moore!

A native of Ireland, Barry came to the United States after college and earned a Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University (IUPUI). While in school, he found a passion for helping people with disabilities by working with children with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Prior to joining NeuroHope as a staff member, Barry served as an intern and helped develop the clinic’s comprehensive “Path to Independence” Wellness program.

Barry is a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer through ACSM and has been trained in locomotor training, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and various other neurologic recovery techniques. Barry loves exploring the United States, playing golf and Gaelic football and has recently started taking yoga classes.

In this video, Barry expresses how our client’s opinions matter and their goals matter. Barry explains how NeuroHope has given their client’s the framework to build their own community. He shares how NeuroHope clients support each other and work together. Barry’s role is to guide NeuroHope clients through recovery and give them the skills to utilize in everyday life. Check out Barry’s video here…

#neurohope #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #hope #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness  #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Nov 14

Open
NeuroHope is hiring therapy techs in part-time or full-time roles! Our tech role is an ideal position to get hands-on experience in a Neuro rehab setting and is perfect for anybody interested in PT/OT or adaptive fitness/exercise. PT/OT students are encouraged to apply! 

Interested candidates can contact us here: https://www.neurohopewellness.org/contact/

#nowhiring #indynowhiring #therapytech #neurohopeteam

neurohope

View

Nov 13

Open
🎉 Big congratulations to NeuroHope team members Barry Moore and Hamilton Spidle! Barry has been promoted to our Lead Neurorecovery Exercise Specialist and Hamilton has been promoted to Exercise Specialist. We are so proud of them both! 

#neurohope #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #hope #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness  #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Nov 9

Open
The temperature is dropping in Indy, but the energy is always high at NeuroHope! Our clients are on fire and there’s lots of great things happening here today! Mel is pushing the Neuro-Fit crew hard, Bart is helping Mitchell rock out on the Lokomat, and our PT team is having a blast training with Bill! The fun never stops at NeuroHope! 

#neurohope #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #hope #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness  #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Nov 5

Open
When a drunk driver struck her vehicle in 2020, @laura.burdick10 ‘s life changed in the “Blink of Eye “. As a fitness, nutrition, and wellness expert and a managing yogi at @thehotroomyoga, Laura’s personal identity revolved around physical activity.  After a paralyzing spinal cord and traumatic brain injury she wasn’t sure where life would take her.

Recovery from paralyzing injuries goes well beyond physical rehabilitation, or the ability to move.  In many ways, the mental and emotional journey is even more difficult.  Laura’s message to the audience at the “Inspiration Gala” for @vigo_county_ymca YMCA 
last night , was that no matter the struggle we go through in life,  it can be overcome by finding your purpose. 
 
Laura has found hers, bringing her knowledge and passion for healthy living to a new audience of wheelchair users and people living with paralysis, and by telling her story to continue to inspire everyone she meets to live their best life.

We are honored to know Laura and be a part of her journey!

neurohope

View

Nov 2

Open
Staff Highlight Video! Spotlight on Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Lydia Miner!

Lydia received her Exercise Science Bachelor’s degree and Physical Therapist Assistant Associate’s degree concurrently from the University of Indianapolis. During her education she became an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, earned a minor in Psychology and completed a Healthy Diploma concentration. In her final year of school she had the opportunity to intern at NeuroHope and discovered her passion for helping those with neurological conditions. In 2020 she joined the NeuroHope team full-time as a PTA.

In this spotlight video, Lydia describes how she tries to individualize her client’s treatment plan by focusing on their goals and making sessions fun and engaging. She also touches on the unique bond that NeuroHope clients have with one another and how the NeuroHope community always cheers each other on. Check out Lydia’s video here…

#spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #indy #neurohope #hope #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness #spinalcordinjury #physicaltherapistassistant

neurohope

View

Oct 31

Open
🔥 We decided to spice things up at NeuroHope and dress as condiments today! After-all, the secret to our special sauce is this AMAZING team! 

👻 Happy Halloween friends! 🎃

#happyhalloween #sauce #saucey #hotsauce #neurohope #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #hope #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness  #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Oct 26

Open
We are thrilled to announce a two-year grant from the Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Fund that will track the health and hospital re-admittance rates of NeuroHope patients. 

People living with paralysis must overcome much more than the ability to move. Pressure sores, urinary tract infections, muscle contractures, and other complications from inactivity send 30% of patients to the hospital at least once per year, and cost the healthcare system thousands of dollars every time. 

On November 1, we begin work with the University of Indianapolis to monitor how often NeuroHope patients  are afflicted with or hospitalized with these conditions, compared to the national average of people with neurologic injury.

Providing an atmosphere of access for the programs patients need to stay healthy remains a core principle of what we do.  This grant will help tell the story of the lives we change, and will strengthen our mission to revamp the standard of care in Indiana and beyond!

#neurohope #uindy #ctsi #spinalcordinjuryresearch #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #hope #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness  #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Oct 24

Open
Our Multi-Fit circuit training team is READY TO GO! Let’s goooooo! Let’s get after those goals! 

#multifit #neurohope #circuittraining #goals #letsgo #strengthtraining #adaptivefitness #wellness #strength #community #fitness #resistance

neurohope

View

Oct 22

Open
Two great days at @u2fp annual conference gathering researchers, clinicians, patients, and advocates together to share developments in the search for a cure for #spinalcordinjury and continual improvement of quality of life after injury.

As momentum for a cure progresses, there must also be a system in place for adequate clinical delivery (access to care). 

This is why NeuroHope is here.
.
#neurorecovery #carecast #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #sci #neuro #neuroscience 

#affordablerehab #neurorecoverycenter #spinalcordinjury #unite2fight

neurohope

View

Oct 12

Open
Client Spotlight Video! Today we’re shining the spotlight on NeuroHope client Michael “Mike” Whiteside! 

In this video Mike discusses his spinal cord injury that occurred in 2021 and his road to recovery at NeuroHope. He explains how the staff at NeuroHope met him where he was at mentally and wanted to know how he was doing emotionally. 

He touches on how his military background has shaped him to be a very structured person and how the NeuroHope team helped him create a structured plan of action for his paralysis recovery. Mike shares that there is hope and NeuroHope has given him confirmation that he has a future and it does not stop here.

Check out Mike’s inspiring video here…

#spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurofit #affordablerehab #neurorecoverycenter #nonprofit #healthcare #indy #neurohope #hope #inspiring #beinspired #adaptivefitness #spinalcordinjury

neurohope

View

Oct 10

Open
Nothing can stop these goal getters! We love watching our hard-working clients crushing their goals! 

#cantstopwontstop #goals #neurorehab #neurorecovery #affordablerehab #physicaltherapy
Load More

6002 Sunnyside Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46236

Located In The Concrete
Building Attached To The US
Lumber Warehouse

Contact Us

Phone: 317-525-8386

Fax: 844-556-4672

Open Monday – Friday

9AM – 5PM

Donate Now

NeuroHope is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides long-term physical rehabilitation and wellness following neurologic injury.   TIN: 46-1842276

Your contribution keeps our extended care services strong.  Thank You!

© Copyright NeuroHope 2023

Privacy Policy

NeuroHope Wins Inaugural ‘Care Innovation’ Award 2016 Forty Under 40: Chris Leeuw
Scroll to top