• 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

Tag Archive for: Glider

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:

 

IMG_2033(1)

 

 

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

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

Scroll to top