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Tag Archive for: Steve Sarns

NuStep Recumbent Trainer Donated to NeuroHope

October 20, 2014/in Annoucements, General Blog Posts/by Chris Leeuw

We began a crowdfunding campaign in August to help raise start-up costs for NeuroHope. The first equipment piece on our wish list, a piece that Nora and I consider an integral part of any rehabilitation and wellness clinic, was a NuStep recumbent cross trainer. Now, we are thrilled to announce that our first machine has been generously donated by NuStep!

I reached out to NuStep VP of Sales and Marketing Steve Sarns shortly after we launched the campaign and told him my story.  I explained what we are building in Indiana, and let him know the role NuStep had throughout my personal recovery. A NuStep was the first piece of equipment I could power (ever so slightly) on my own after total paralysis. Over the course of two years, from nursing home to rehabilitation clinic, a NuStep remained part of my daily therapy as I recovered movement and built strength and endurance.

Last month Steve welcomed me to NuStep headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan to tour the facility. I was blown away. Not just by the campus, factory, and facility (which was much larger and structured than I imagined), but by the entire staff. This is a team that is proud of what they have created and is genuine in their mission.

photo-2Steve’s father Dick Sarns founded NuStep in 1987, but the idea was born in the 1960’s when Dick began to research exercise products for people in cardiac rehabilitation. He wanted to create an easily accessible recumbent bike-style machine that could provide a safe and effective workout for people of all ability levels. The bicycle seat and pedals, however, were a problem; they were transformed to a chair with a stepping motion. Upper and lower body movements were connected to move in a reciprocal pattern, and NuStep was born. Over the last 20 years the machine has evolved and the company has grown. Every machine is made and shipped from their Ann Arbor campus. Sarns says around 40 new machines are built and shipped around the world each day.

photo-1The NuStep is not built specifically for people living with spinal cord injury. But, what makes the machine special is the accessibility it provides for people recovering from and living with varying degrees of disability. In rehabilitation a NuStep can serve as a therapy tool that some patients may benefit from early in their recovery. Incomplete spinal cord injuries need every opportunity to get their bodies moving. They must spend every moment they can sending signals through their healing central nervous system to promote as much neuroplastic gain as possible. One of the most memorable milestones in my recovery, on par with the moment I took my first step, was the first time I used a NuStep.

The first few months of therapy after my accident consisted mostly of range of motion exercises and assisted movement from therapists. That was the extent of my abilities as a quadriplegic with only trace amounts of movement from the neck down. After three months, however, movement had faintly returned to portions of my legs, and my body had finally regained the ability to better regulate blood pressure. I still lacked the ability to sit upright on my own, but my body could finally tolerate being in an upright position without passing out. My arms were still paralyzed but my therapist thought my legs might be strong enough to give the NuStep a try. She transferred me to the seat, put my legs and hands in place, and there I sat – in a machine and on my own for the first since my accident. It took a few seconds, but the pedals budged and soon all four limbs were gliding to the movement my legs provided.

It was the first moment I no longer felt completely paralyzed. I was barely moving the machine at the lowest setting, but I was moving it. It rejuvenated me. It gave me new goals to focus on and served as the impetus to the next level of my rehabilitation.

My unique experience aside, the main benefit of these machines is their role in wellness. They were built to provide people of all ability levels a way to achieve a low impact, full body-work out. It is just as important for people with spinal cord injures to remain healthy through exercise as it is for the able-bodied population. No matter the level of motor return, all spinal cord injuries require an incredible amount of daily maintenance. A NuStep is an elliptical machine or treadmill for the disabled. The motion loosens muscles, alleviates spasticity, improves circulation, prevents pressure sores and promotes overall health. The machine has adaptations that can be easily added for individuals lacking leg or hand function, making a full cardio workout possible for nearly all injury levels.

We plan to have our NuStep available when NeuroHope opens this winter. Whether it be for open-gym wellness purposes, or as a warm-up before a therapy session, we are excited to have the addition. I can’t thank the Sarns family and the NuStep team enough. It is an incredible gesture from a company making a difference in the lives of their clients.

We hope this NuStep will be the first of several for our facility.

photo(7)

 

https://www.neurohopewellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/John-WG-LS-crop.jpg 497 672 Chris Leeuw /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeuroHope_Color.svg Chris Leeuw2014-10-20 18:14:272014-10-22 09:17:44NuStep Recumbent Trainer Donated to NeuroHope

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May 25

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Staff Highlight Video! This week, meet Wellness Coordinator Kendal Baker! Kendal manages NeuroHope’s “Path to Independence” (PTI) Wellness program.  

PTI is a monthly membership separate from physical therapy or personal training sessions, that features daily group cardio classes, circuit training sessions, stretching / massage, and open gym times so clients can workout at NeuroHope on their own. 

Kendal plays a critical role in NeuroHope’s hybrid model of care, which blends physical therapy with exercise and wellness programs for people living with paralysis. Visit NeuroHope any day of the week and you’ll hear her coaching echo through the gym! Check out Kendal’s thoughts on NeuroHope’s unique approach to Neurorecovery:

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

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May 18

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It’s amazing what a difference a year can make! 

Today, NeuroHope client Mark Bradley is celebrating one year of recovery from his C-4 spinal cord injury. 

As we know, all recoveries are different. Mark’s recovery from total paralysis to walking is the reason why we are here, to give people access to affordable rehab. We are thankful to be part of Mark’s recovery story. Congratulations Mark, your hard work and resiliency is very inspiring! ♥️ 

#spinalcordinjuryrecovery #neurorecovery  #affordablerehab #neurorecoverycenter #inspiring #beinspired #spinalcordinjury #nonprofit #healthcare #indy #oneyear #neurohope #hope #congrats #congratulations

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May 17

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NeuroHope client Tom is working on his gait speed, step length (kicking the band), and standing posture with assistance from NeuroHope PTA Marshall and PT Tech Hamilton. Keep crushing those goals Tom! 

#cvasurvivor #neurorecovery  #affordablerehab #neurorecoverycenter #inspiring #nonprofit #healthcare #indy #neurohope #hope #strokeswarenessmonth #affordablehealthcare

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May 13

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It was an awesome night with our friends at @conquerparalysisnow and @drivenlv for @sam.schmidt_ ‘s annual “Racing to Recovery” gala.  Raising funds, support, and awareness for paralysis recovery.

Life-changing injuries happen in the blink of an eye.  Discharge from Rehabilitation into a New World happens quickly, but the need for help continues long-term to maximize recovery, stay healthy, and improve quality of life after injury.

This is what everything we do is about: Affordable access to rehabilitation and wellness programs to change lives one injury at a time.

So happy to work with like-minded organizations that recognize the need, and STEP UP to change healthcare. 

#neurorehab #affordablerehab #neurorecovery #spinalcordinjuryrecovery #nonprofit #racingtorecovery

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May 11

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📣 New video series today!  Every other Thursday we will spotlight a NeuroHope team member, client, or caregiver to learn about their role at NeuroHope.
 
We start with Wellness Director, Bart Richwalski, who has been serving NeuroHope’s community for six years. Bart leads our team of Master’s level kinesiologists (Neurorecovery Exercise Specialists) that exemplify how the NeuroHope model is unique. Our wellness team works in cohesion with our physical therapy team to provide a seamless transition from clinical care to affordable personal training, fitness and wellness programs.  Bart has helped develop a program that has helped hundreds of people on their recovery journey. Bart’s story: 

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

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May 9

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Juan is pushing hard and crushing his fitness goals. James is pushing hard with help from Barry and our Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator. Sam and Isaiah are pushing it in NeuroFit with Kendal! Keep pushing, you’re all doing great! ♥️

#neurohope #affordablerehab #neurorehab #neurofit #pushit #keeppushing #wellness #neurorecovery #pathtoindependence #neurorecoverynetwork

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May 5

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On the first Friday of every month, we host a community group of rotating activities and topics. This month, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, our PTA Lydia and NeuroHope client Jenny hosted, “Peaceful Minds and Green Thumbs.” 

Jenny shared great mental health resources on combatting stress and anxiety. After the group discussion, Jenny’s sister, Beth, helped participants plant starter planters for an herb garden. Gardening is a wonderful stress reliever! Thanks to our organizers and participants for making this a fun and relaxing First Friday! 

#neurohop #neurorecovery #affordablehealthcare #NAMI #affordablerehab #may #stressrelief  #mindfulness #firstfriday #tgif #support #herbgarden #gardening #neurorecoverynetwork #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

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May 1

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Here’s more from our adventures at @bradford.woods this weekend! Thank you to everyone who made this outing a tremendous success! It was a great day! 💚

#neurohope #bradfordwoods #adaptivesports #greatoutdoors #hiking #fishing #archery #boating #canoeing #indianaweather #neurorecovery #neurorecoverynetwork #itsgonnabemay

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Apr 30

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NeuroHope community retreat at @bradford.woods this weekend!  We loved the time outdoors for adaptive zip lining, archery, and time on the water.

Thank you Bradford Woods for hosting more than 50 participants from the NeuroHope community.  We had a blast !

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Apr 21

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#TGIF It’s raining here at NeuroHope in Indianapolis, but we’re walking on sunshine! Have a great Friday! 

#NeuroHope #neurorecovery #affordablerehab #affordablehealthcare #spinalcordinjury #indy #rainyday #walkingonsunshine #sci #friday #makeyourownsunshine

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Apr 19

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Recovery from paralysis is a process that takes time, access, and a community of support. 
 
NeuroHope was created to make long-term therapy an affordable reality. 
 
Watch our story and be inspired…this is why we’re here!

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

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Apr 17

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🎬 Check out some behind the scenes sneak peeks of our recent video shoot. 

Stay tuned…we’re releasing NeuroHope’s new promo video this week!

#neurohope #hope
#nonprofit #healthcare #affordablerehab #indy #spinalcordrehab #neurorecovery #ourstory

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Apr 14

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Calling Physical Therapists! We seek a high-energy PT who is passionate about changing the lives of people battling paralysis.

Join our growing team!! Click the link in our bio , and enter “PT” in the subject line!
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#physicaltherapy #neuropt #neurorecovery #choosept #affordablerehab #healthcare #indy

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Apr 11

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April is Occupational Therapy Month! 🎉
 
We are so grateful for our OT’s at NeuroHope and beyond! OT’s play a vital and meaningful role in the #Neurorecovery process! Thanks for all you do! ♥️

#neurohope #affordablerehab #neurorehabilitation #otmonth #occupationaltherapy #otstudent #occupationaltherapymonth

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Apr 7

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On the first Friday of every month, we host a community group of rotating activities and topics. This month our interns, Andrew and Hamilton, lead a mindfulness and adaptive yoga class with the guidance of local yogi and NeuroHope client and @thehotroomyoga ‘s @laura.burdick10 . We feel so rejuvenated and relaxed! Namaste 🪷

#neurohop #neurorecovery #affordablehealthcare #yoga #affordablerehab #addaptiveyoga #mindfulness #firstfriday #tgif #namaste #neurorecoverynetwork

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Apr 7

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First Friday: Mindfulness & Yoga Class 🪷 

#namaste #neurorecovery #affordablehealthcare #affordablerehab #yoga #otmonth #adaptiveyoga

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Apr 4

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doing things 💪 #neurohope #affordablerehab #neurorecovery #spinalcordrehab

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Mar 31

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On a summer afternoon in 2019, Chuck Knox fell down his stairs and suffered a life-changing incomplete #spinalcordinjury.

Told 3 months after his accident, he had plateaued in his recovery…Chuck never gave up hope …or EFFORT.  He has been a regular in our PT, OT, and exercise programs for more than 3 years …and today , he walks in and out of NeuroHope with confidence and continues to work hard to improve strength and quality post injury 💪💪.

We are honored to be part of Chuck’s recovery.  Read his STORY by Neurorecovery Exercise Specialist Barry Moore through the link in our IG STORY!!
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#walkingafterspinalcordinjury #neurorecovery #sci #AffordableRehab #inspiringrecovery

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Mar 28

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Thrilled to welcome Occupational Therapist Krista Kaufman & Advancement Director Jacqui Goldstein to the NeuroHope Team!!

Krista comes to us from Community Rehabilitation Hospital South, where, as a Saebo Certified Clinician, she specializes in treating patients with upper extremity #paralysis.  Her passion for neurorecovery is rooted in her own lived experience of stroke recovery.
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Jacqui joins NeuroHope as Advancement Director after serving Indy’s healthcare and social work community since 2004 in non-profit communications and outreach.

WELCOME ABOARD KRISTA & JACQUI!! We’re thankful you’re here to help us grow!
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#nonprofit #healthcare #indy

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Mar 23

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Yesterday we were presented with an $80,000 donation through @barnraisers by Erin Habel, the Habel Family and NeuroHope Board Member Drew Poston of @compass_construction to honor the life of Andrew Habel and the legacy he leaves.

We are continually in awe of the community that supports the work we do to better the lives of people living with and recovering from paralysis, and are eternally grateful for program changing support like this.

The Habel wall at NeuroHope will forever honor Andrew , and be a reminder for the lives this gift will serve!!!
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#habelfest #nonprofit #fundraising #indy #healthcare #

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Mar 14

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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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