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Tag Archive for: blood pressure

Small-Town Company Making Global Impact for Paralysis Community

December 23, 2014/in General Blog Posts/by Chris Leeuw

 One hundred miles southwest of the bustling suburbs of the Twin cities is the town of Morton, Minnesota. 

A 2-hour drive down a series of two-lane highways through a mix of farmland, tundra, and open space, takes you to the tiny burg of less than 500 people.  Morton boasts just a handful of intersections and corner stores, but a block off Main Street, in a gravel driveway at the foot of a small hill, sits a modest size building with aluminum siding.  It’s the headquarters of Altimate Medical Inc., which does business under the more familiar name EasyStand.

Nestled alongside a grain elevator and a seemingly abandoned railroad track, it’s not exactly the kind of place you expect to find a company making a global impact in the medical field.  But, inside, EasyStand’s team of 40 employees design, develop, manufacture, and ship state-of-the-art standing frames to medical facilities and to people living with paralysis around the world. “I don’t think many people in this area even know what we do here,” said Kyle Smith, EasyStand Marketing Manager.  “I’m from the area and didn’t fully realize the impact we had until I started working here.”
 
frameinoffice Every day 30-40 EasyStand standing frames are built from scratch, assembled, tested, disassembled and shipped from Morton to rehabilitation hospitals, physical therapy clinics, skilled nursing centers, and individual buyers around the world.  Not bad for a small-town company started in the 1980s by Alan Tholkes, a C6-7 quadriplegic. Tholkes began tinkering with contraptions in a garage in order to create a device that could help him spend time out of his wheelchair.
 
“Many people don’t understand the toll that being confined to a wheelchair can have on the body," Smith said. “Paralyzed individuals must spend time out of a seated position on a regular basis.  Being upright puts weight through the body, which maintains bone density, prevents muscle contracture, helps with circulation, and much more.”
 

Paralysis is more than losing motor function. 

A large part of living with paralysis is learning to maintain a body that is no longer in full communication with the brain.  Paralyzed limbs don’t simply become useless dangling appendages.  Muscles become tight and spastic.  They need to be stretched and re-positioned regularly to avoid locking up.  Skin breakdown and pressure sores are a constant threat when too much time is spent in the same position, and bodily functions like digestion and circulation are all affected when the body remains sedentary.

EasyStand products provide sit-to-stand support. 

Their frames feature an adjustable seat bottom that rises vertically to brace the waist as the unit lifts the body to standing position.  Knee and hip supports lock to stabilize the lower body. Their most versatile unit, the EasyStand Evolv, is also EasyStand’s best seller.  According to Smith, the Evolv is often the best option for individual home use.  A large chest level tray lets users work on a computer, read, or browse the internet while standing.  More advanced features include a mobile unit that users with hand and arm function can push and maneuver around their home while standing.

EasyStand-Glider The EasyStand Glider is another popular model.  The Glider enables active standing by providing arm handles and lower body range of motion.  This lets users move the arm handles to create reciprocal movement in the legs, which makes a cardio workout possible while in position.

Standing frames have proven to benefit people that use them in their homes, and have become an important part of the rehabilitation process as well.  Spinal cord injuries above the T1 level may have extreme blood pressure changes.  Orthostatic Hypotension (dropping blood pressure) can hit when the body is upright.   Standing frames are used to slowly re-acclimate the body to being upright again. 
 
Following my C4 injury in 2010, I was first placed in a standing frame one month after my accident.  I could only remain upright for a few seconds, but it marked a significant point in the recovery process.  Over time, tolerance builds as the body adjusts. 
 
Standing frames are, however, relatively expensive.  A price range of $2,200-$6,000 limits the number of people that can afford them for in-home use.  EasyStand is often able to work with insurance companies to secure financing for some people, but like most insurance appeals, the pleading can be difficult.
 
Unfortunately, in the same way that long-term rehabilitation is limited for those recovering from neurologic injury, so too are access to many of the resources like standing frames that are needed after “rehabilitation” is over.
 
 
Living with paralysis is a battle.  It's an ongoing process that requires life-long maintenance.
A major flaw in most communities is the lack of specialized health and wellness centers for the disabled, where equipment like an EasyStand can be accessed by those not fortunate enough to have a unit in there home. 
 
As difficult as it may seem for the able-bodied population to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, the struggle is multiplied 10-fold for the disabled.  This is the crux of the NeuroHope vision: Long-term rehabilitation and accessible wellness for all of us living with neurologic injury.
 

An EasyStand is one of the three core equipment pieces needed for NeuroHope before we begin operation in early 2015.

We need your help to make it happen:

 

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https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/easystandblding.jpg 764 1146 Chris Leeuw /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svg Chris Leeuw2014-12-23 11:49:022015-03-10 21:31:11Small-Town Company Making Global Impact for Paralysis Community

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#SpinalCordInjury recovery is a team effort💪. Caleb in a Locomotor Training treadmill session with the NeuroHope team. Step by step we’re here for you.  #keeppushing #AffordableRehab #spinalcordinjuryrecovery

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Mar 9

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On the first Friday of each month, we host a community group of rotating activities and topics. This month, @pawsandthinkinc, a fellow nonprofit that brings therapy dogs into the community paid us a visit!  Golden Retriever Nai’a had 3 objectives : Belly rubs, head pats, and smiles.
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Here’s to the amazing women who make our community what it is: leaders, clinicians, patients, caregivers & supporters.  Thank you!
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Mar 2

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Less than two months before her 2022 high school graduation, Olivia was paralyzed in a car crash.  She has been on a physical, emotional, and mental journey over the last year, recovering from her spinal cord injury.  In the year since her accident , she has suffered pressure sores, UTIs, blood pressure issues and more.
She bounces back , and keeps pushing.  The need for continued therapy and exercise programs after life-changing injuries is real - and her story is an inspiring one!  Read it through the link on our IG Story! .
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KENDAL driving NeuroFit class 💪💪!!
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Feb 14

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Happiest of Birthdays to Wellness Director Bart!! He has helped build our programs for 5 years and helped hundreds of people (like Mitch 💪💪) on their recovery journey!  Thank you Bart!
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Calab (Spinal cord injury), on the floor with Barry and Kendal.  Balance and core work to keep his body moving 💪💪.
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Jan 31

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We are looking for an energetic Occupational Therapist passionate about #neurorecovery AND a Development / Advancement Manager to help our growing team reach new audiences, donors, and partners!

Join our growing team .Interested applicants inquire through the link in our bio, and type either "OT" or "Development" in the subject line.

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Jan 25

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Learning to walk again is something no one ever expects they will need to do.  It is the definition of determination, resilience , patience, and guidance.  PT Brittanie is here for Mark every step of the way 💪💪.

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Jan 6

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Therapy Director Elliot and Chris were in studio @indynowtv to tell the NeuroHope story and the hundreds of families we have helped on their road to recovery from #Spinalcordinjury #braininjury and #Stroke.  Neurologic injuries are life changing.  The need for affordable rehab after hospital discharge, and specialized fitness programs to improve long-term health is REAL.  Thanks to @uindy_kspt, @orthoindy Foundation , @reevefoundation and all those who have helped us grow.
Recovery is a process.  It’s why we’re here!.
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Jan 2

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Just a few of the NeuroHope #heroes battling #paralysis and the hard work they put in everyday….
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Dec 27

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Thank you @indystar for telling my personal story recovering from #spinalcordinjury , the growth of NeuroHope thanks to @orthoindy Foundation and most importantly ..the hundreds of people recovering from paralysis NeuroHope helps receive affordable , after-hospital care.

It’s all possible thanks to our amazing staff that change lives everyday , and the supporters that believe in us!

Readable link in bio!

#spinalcordrehab #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #sci #nonprofit #beinspired #indy #affordablerehab

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Dec 25

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at NeuroHope!

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It’s getting pretty Christmas-y at NeuroHope! 🎄 Decorations are up , and we’re in the spirit!
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Nov 30

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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.  It’s why we’re here.  We smashed our $5,000 #GivingTuesday goal, and raised $7,000 yesterday to support our programs for people recovering from paralysis
Thank you all!

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Nov 29

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Keep those #GivingTuesday donations coming! $200 for a chance for four ROW 1 Colts tix, field passes, transportation to #MondayNightFootball on 12/26!
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Help us reach our $5,000 goal to help those recovering from paralysis!

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Nov 29

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TODAY!  A $200 donation could WIN FOUR 1st row @colts tickets, field passes, and transportation to Monday Night Football 12/26! Courtesy of @hensleylegal !

Help us reach our $5,000 goal today to help people recovering from #paralysis. 
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Nov 14

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Day 1 of our @ndtassociation seminar led by DPT Monica Diamond. “Facilitating Transitional Movements Effectively”. 
Lecture and lab today - for postural control, and balance for neuromuscular impairments.
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Wishing a special #VeteransDay weekend to clients Mike, Bob, and ALL who have served!  Thank you for your service - and for being YOU.

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Nov 4

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Kayode (c4/5 spinal cord injury) working on sit-to-stands with Megan.  Activating quads, glutes and STANDING TALL.  Recovery is a process.  This is why we’re here!.
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Oct 27

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BIG Congratulations to Wellness Director Bart Richwalski - now certified through the NSCA as a Special Population Specialist (CSPS). This is a rigorous exam established for kinesiologists to address the unique fitness needs of those with chronic neuromuscular conditions.

We can’t express how lucky we are to have Bart leading our Wellness Team.  Since joining NeuroHope 5 years ago, he has built a parallel program to our clinical therapy side, and made NeuroHope’s overall model - a hybrid of skilled therapy and personalized fitness what it is today.

Congratulations Bart!.
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Lumber Warehouse

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

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