NeuroHope client Sam Schultz sustained a brain injury from a 2016 mountain biking accident in Colorado. After 3 1/2 months of rehabilitation at Craig Hospital, Sam came home to Indiana in need of continued care. She first came to NeuroHope in 2018 and has been a regular in our gym ever since progressing from physical therapy, to personal training sessions and is now a workout warrior in our wellness program.
Sam inspires us all with her words: “Continue to grow. Do not give up. You can do it – You’ve just got to do it.” Sam has set big goals for herself and she shares how NeuroHope has helped better herself. Watch her story here:
https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-IG-Video-Cover-.jpg7201280Jacqueline Goldstein/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svgJacqueline Goldstein2023-07-19 16:58:582023-07-19 16:58:58Client Spotlight: Sam Schultz
Michele Green is the wife of NeuroHope client Steve Green. In this video, she shares her unique perspective as a family member and caregiver of someone who has suffered from a stroke that resulted in paralysis.
Caregivers and support systems play a crucial role in recovery. Michele discusses how the NeuroHope team has supported and given her family hope during her husband’s recovery and rehabilitation. Listen to Michele’s insightful words here…
https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Copy-of-IG-Video-Cover-.jpg7201280Jacqueline Goldstein/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svgJacqueline Goldstein2023-07-17 14:15:462023-07-17 14:15:46Caregiver Spotlight: The Green’s Story
On a summer afternoon in 2019, Chuck Knox was at home when he fell down the stairs. Chuck was unable to move his arms or legs. Initially, he thought it was the shock of the fall but soon came to realize it was more serious. His wife, Sherri, called an ambulance and he was transported to the hospital. An MRI showed that Chuck had Central Cord Syndrome, an incomplete, cervical spinal cord injury. Chuck underwent surgery receiving several rods and screws to stabilize the vertebrae in his neck, as well as getting a C3-C6 fusion. After about 5 days of post-operative care, Chuck was discharged from the acute care hospital and sent to a rehabilitation hospital.
As an inpatient, Chuck received three hours of therapy several days a week focusing on improving his range of motion and learning how to transfer from his power wheelchair to a bed. After just 22 days, Chuck was discharged, when he ran out of insurance coverage.
Chuck’s home was not accessible enough for his needs, so it was recommended to him that he go to a skilled nursing facility. After just eight days at the facility, Chuck and Sherri decided to relocate to a different facility that could better meet his needs. At his second skilled nursing facility, Chuck engaged in physical therapy to work on improving his range of motion and received electrical stimulation on his arms. Chuck developed a urinary tract infection (UTI) while inpatient at his second facility, which led to a ten-day hospital stay after he developed sepsis. Chuck and his wife made the choice to relocate to a third facility. Third time was a charm. At his third skilled nursing facility, Chuck received PT and exercise. Sadly, after just 4 weeks, Medicare was no longer able to cover his stay as he “plateaued in his recovery”.
Chuck and Sherri modified their home to make it more accessible for Chuck’s mobility and self-care needs. He moved back home in October 2019, just 4 months after his accident. At the start of the year in 2020, Chuck’s Medicare benefits were restored, and he started back with outpatient Occupation Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT), and took part in some research and self-pay programs. In the spring of 2020, COVID struck and Chuck’s rehab came to a halt once again. Thankfully, at the end of 2020, Chuck resumed outpatient therapy and was referred to NeuroHope by one of his providers.
In January of 2021, Chuck started attending NeuroHope for PT and has since transitioned into guided exercise to work on his strength, endurance, overall mobility, and recently started with OT, as well. Chuck looks forward to coming to his sessions at NeuroHope and hopes to take part in future research studies. He is very social and loves the personal interactions with the staff and other NeuroHope community members. Chuck plans on rejoining his local gym to continue improving his fitness more independently. He believes he has the skills and confidence now to use their equipment and facilities with little help.
Having been told that 3 months after his accident, he had plateaued in his recovery, Chuck and Sherri didn’t give up hope. Today, Chuck walks in and out of NeuroHope using his rollator and has made huge strides in improving his quality of life at home and in the community. He walks daily and catches up with his friends on the golf course; for now, as a ride-along coach, but hopes to be soon swinging a club himself. He is also an active member of several non-profit organizations in the Indianapolis area and enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and grandkids!
We are honored to be part of Chuck’s recovery and proud of the resiliency Chuck has shown. We are excited to see his continued progress both in and out of our clinic.
Olivia Garrison’s life changed forever on April 16th 2022. Less than two months away from her high school graduation, Olivia and her friends were involved in a devasting car crash. She was airlifted to the hospital with severe injuries: a lacerated liver and spleen, torn aorta, broken sternum, broken vertebrae (T1-T9), and a damaged spinal cord that left her paralyzed from the chest down.
The next day, Olivia underwent a 6-hour surgery to repair her broken back. Three days later, she woke up in need of a ventilator to breathe. It would be another five days before her lungs were strong enough to remove the ventilator so she could communicate with her family. She remained in the ICU for 24 days before transferring to a unit of the hospital where she could begin her road to recovery and gain strength to transfer to a rehabilitation hospital.
One month after the accident, Olivia was stable enough to transfer to Community North Rehabilitation Hospital in Indianapolis, where her daily regimen of physical and occupational therapy could begin. For 28 days, she worked with the therapy team at Community to regain her strength and learn how to best navigate her new physical situation. The highlight of her stay was on May 27th when she was able to briefly leave the hospital and attend her high school graduation with the rest of her class.
In June, after nearly a month at the rehabilitation hospital, she was discharged home. Even though she was happy to be home, she knew she needed more therapy and more assistance to continue her recovery. She had made great strides, but was still weak and could only remain upright for a few moments at a time. She was still in a great deal of pain from her injuries, and was in a constant battle with pressure sores. Since she’s been home many of the complications relating to a neurologic injury have continued, including a bone infection, a blood clot, and multiple urinary tract infections.
In June of 2022 Olivia heard about NeuroHope from a therapist, as a unique place to continue the specialized therapy she needed after hospital discharge. She soon enrolled in our therapy and exercise programs – and in the months since, her hard work and smiling face has been a constant in our gym!
It takes months, and sometimes years to maximize recovery from neurologic injury – far more than insurance and traditional healthcare allows, and Olivia’s continued progress inspires us all. She has improved tremendously during her time at NeuroHope, conquering seated balance, floor transfers and standing tolerance.
She’s not done yet! She continues to gain strength as she approaches the one-year mark of her injury, and she works tirelessly with our physical therapy, occupational therapy, and exercise teams. She is an inspiration to all whose lives have changed following a neurological injury, sharing her light with support and encouragement.
By Megan Lashley, Neurorecovery Exercise Specialist
On October 23rd, 2020 Lonnie Watson (L.W.) noticed a strange pain running down his leg. He thought nothing of it and continued about his day. The next morning he began favoring his right side. After making a call to his doctor, L.W. was sent to the Emergency Room. Luckily, Community Hospital was nearby.
He had suffered a stroke, and was admitted to Community North in Indianapolis to begin inpatient rehabilitation. As he started the lengthy process of rehab, the severity of his condition became clear. He no longer had the ability to stand up, or keep his balance on his own. He didn’t have control over his right arm, and he couldn’t coordinate any volitional movement.
“I was told that the first five months after a stroke were the most crucial for recovery, and that was my determination,” says L.W.
L.W. set goals to improve leg strength and balance. He was determined to re-learn how to reach and grasp objects, and he worked tirelessly with his therapists every day. Over the next few weeks in the hospital, he quickly progressed from being reliant on a Hoyer Lift to leave his bed, to the use of a boardslide. Then came steps with a hemi-walker, a rolling walker, and finally a single point cane. He was mobile again and celebrating, but his journey was far from complete.
When he left the hospital, L.W. continued in-home therapy for several months until he hit a recovery wall. He needed to find place where he could continue his progress, and he needed team that understood his condition. Recovery revolves around hard work and determination and L.W. was determined to find structure and steady encouragement to continue his journey.
In April of 2021, L.W. was introduced to NeuroHope and has been part of the NeuroHope community ever since! Over the last year, L.W. has been a dedicated member of NeuroHope’s “Path to Independence” Wellness program, a monthly membership separate from therapy that features specialized fitness plans, open gym access, and group cardio and strengthening classes. L.W. arrives each day with enthusiasm in his soul and progress on his mind. As he continues to work towards his functional goals, L.W. recently exceeded a tremendous personal goal: A 100 pound weight lost since his stroke! And he isn’t finished yet!
You will find L.W.’s customized T-shirt hanging in the NeuroHope gym. It has a logo of the mind and heart intertwined.
“All you need is a determined mind and a willing heart,” L.W. reminds us. “As long as you have those two things, you can do it.”
L.W. is happily retired and married to the love of his life Lolita, of 40 years. He has two children (L.W. Jr. and LaTrice) and eight grandchildren. He is an inspiration to us all.
Let’s kick off summer with a short video of inspiring clients who CONTINUE to make progress in their recoveries at NeuroHope!
The short video below shows clips of Juan taking steps after his brain injury, Yarnin and Mike using neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve hand and arm function after stroke, and Lucas and Slade working hard after spinal cord injury. You’ll also notice our Wellness Program in action, which features gym access and group cardio and strength classes.
We recently received an $18,000 grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to boost this program!
Recovery from neurologic injury takes TIME, ACCESS, MOTIVATION, and HARD WORK. This is why we’re here!
https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Juan_bars.jpg461450Chris Leeuw/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svgChris Leeuw2021-06-25 10:10:432022-09-27 14:43:41Video: Juan’s Steps Will Make Your Day
Over the course of a long career as a nurse, Jenny Rosebrock served many patients recovering from neurologic injuries, but she never imagined she would be on the receiving end of such care. That changed in March of 2020, when Jenny suffered a brainstem stroke causing left side paralysis. It would be the start of a long and grueling road to recovery.
Jenny spent three weeks at a local rehabilitation hospital before she was discharged home. With outpatient clinics closed last spring due to COVID-19, she was not able to begin outpatient therapy at the hospital until June. By the fall, Jenny had made significant gains. She had regained some movement, and could take her first steps with a hemi-walker.
Unfortunately, in October of 2020, just seven months after her stroke, it was determined that Jenny had “plateaued”. Her recovery was deemed complete and she was discharged from rehabilitation. It is a story that is familiar to so many patients battling the rehabilitation process. Neurologic injuries take months, sometimes years, to recover from. NeuroHope was created to help patients like Jenny maximize their recovery. Fortunately, her outpatient therapist recommended NeuroHope so she could continue her progress. (story continued below video)
Over the last four months, Jenny has been a regular in the NeuroHope gym. She has inspired everyone with her enthusiasm, and came up with the idea for our “Key West Challenge”, a therapy and workout challenge involving everyone at NeuroHope that tracks therapy and wellness “miles” on a virtual journey to Florida.
Most importantly, Jenny’s recovery continues! The video above captures the emotional moment when she left her walker behind and took her FIRST STEPS after her stroke.
“I am so grateful to NeuroHope,” Jenny says. “With an atmosphere of positivity and encouragement, and a great staff and facility, I have made progress and can use a walker without a leg brace now. My ‘stroke-aversary’ is in March. As I reflect on the past year, I am thankful for family, friends, my therapists, and for NeuroHope!”
In March of 2019, 45-year-old Tim Owen was driving his car when he was overcome by a paralyzing stroke. Thanks to quick thinking and the life-saving work of paramedics, he survived. But the effects of the stroke were significant, initially leaving him completely paralyzed on his left side.
Tim’s recovery has been long and tedious. He spent two months at Community Hospital and came to NeuroHope for continued therapy in September of 2019. Over the last 12 months Tim has worked tirelessly in his recovery and made MAJOR strides. One of his more recent goals – GET BACK ON THAT GOLF COURSE!
Check out the inspiring video below of Tim working with Bart and Megan to get his swing back while strengthening his legs and core on a vibration plate AND his FIRST LIVE SWING at Top Golf with his son behind the camera!
Gotta love it. GO TIM!!
Tim is one of the 52 current clients at NeuroHope that is recovering from a life-changing injury or neurologic condition that we provide with continued rehabilitation and exercise programs. Spinal cord injury, brain injury, and stroke take months, or sometimes years to maximize recovery. Unfortunately, most insurance plans limit the amount of therapy coverage each year, and traditional healthcare facilities are unable to provide continued care.
NeuroHope was created to fill the void in care by offering affordable rates for patients AFTER insurance is exhausted so patients like Tim can continue their inspiring journeys and be in a better position to reach their goals.
https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tim-owen.png568737Chris Leeuw/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svgChris Leeuw2020-09-02 14:43:592022-09-26 16:35:51Client Spotlight: Tim Owen
Alexa Cantwell, a 27 year old from Indianapolis, didn’t become a wheelchair-user instantaneously like so many others who injure their spinal cords. Instead, when she was just 8 years old, Alexa sustained a spinal stroke which resulted in a gradual decline in her mobility through her teens.
The spinal stroke caused damage from the C2 to T2 vertabrae. “Because of the nature of the stroke, it took doctors a long time to discover what actually happened,” Alexa says. “I started using AFO leg braces when I was around 10 years old and later used forearm crutches. I didn’t use a wheelchair full-time until I was seventeen.”
Since a spinal stroke can cause an incomplete injury, Alexa’s entire body is affected in some way. She still has some sensation throughout her body. “Just a little less in my legs and feet. I can also move my legs a very small amount,” she says.
When Alexa was 12, her family moved into an accessible home as a precautionary step. By the time she was in her teens she needed to use the elevator and accessible apartment in the basement. “When I was in college, we renovated my bathroom so I could use it independently. We installed a roll-in shower with a bench, a sink I can roll under, and bars by the toilet. I’m so grateful to have a house that I could easily transition to,” Alexa says.
Since her injury was not traumatic, she did not go through traditional specialized neurological rehabilitation. Instead, she was sent to general physical therapy. “Before being at NeuroHope, I had gone to a facility that specialized in helping patients with neurological injuries and conditions, but it was still pretty traditional in a lot of ways. I wasn’t showing enough improvement after a short time so I was discharged.”
Frustrated with the results of therapy, she wanted more and was introduced to NeuroHope when she saw a post on Instagram. “I checked out their page not realizing NeuroHope was in Indiana. I was surprised and excited to find out they were so close to where I lived. I wanted to try out a place that offered something different from traditional physical therapy but everything I found was too far away.”
Alexa has now been coming to NeuroHope for more than a year and has seen exciting results. “I’ve always been drawn to alternative methods instead of the traditional route when it comes to my health, so NeuroHope was right up my alley. One of my favorite things is the Xcite machine (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation). At my first appointment, I got to use it and stand up with a walker. It felt really good to be on my feet again.”
Now working as a self-employed lifestyle and wellness coach after graduating with writing and business administration degrees, Alexa stays busy with family and friends when she’s not working. “They’re so supportive and I don’t know what I’d do without them,” she says. “I also enjoy serving at church and traveling. I haven’t been out of the country since I’ve been in my chair, but it’s on my bucket list.”
