Health & Wellness

The saying goes: Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.

For Joy Snyder, watching her husband of 52 years, Bob, walk across the house and make coffee takes her breath away – every day.

After Bob’s large middle cerebral artery stroke in 2017, he was wheelchair bound, unable to walk or move. For years, Joy has been by his side, physically assisting her husband to/from the wheelchair and bed, as well as helping him with activities of daily living.

Then in 2022, Joy noticed Bob moving his leg a little more each day. Now living in Marysville, Joy reached out to Memorial to learn more about the Physical Therapy program. Another moment that takes Joy’s breath away.

“For nearly five years, Bob and I hadn’t lost hope, although he had made little progress in that time,” expresses Joy. “But we were unsure of what the future might hold. Looking back now, I can’t believe the milestones we are celebrating!”

Led by Neurologic Clinical Specialist Ashlin Hundley, PT, DPT, NCS, Bob’s physical therapy team first initiated electrical stimulation to promote muscle contractions and improve signaling from his brain. The team also obtained an appropriate bracing for his right leg/ankle/foot to assist with standing and walking.
Next, Bob began high-intensity gait training, a walking and stepping practice that is vigorous enough to keep the heart rate over a certain target level, while helping improve gait speed, walking distance, and balance.

After two months, Bob started taking 10-15 steps by himself.

At the three-month mark, he was able to stand up by himself, complete various activities, as well as navigate walking on both tile and carpet around the house.

Now today, Bob is getting out of bed in the mornings and getting dressed completely independently.

He is ready to start each day, greeting Joy in the kitchen with fresh coffee…and a proud smile.

He also takes multiple walks a day throughout the house. A feat that wasn’t lost on Bob and Joy’s grandkids. “The first time the grandkids saw Bob walk from one end of the house to the other, they all stopped in their tracks. Next thing I know, I hear of chorus of ‘Go, Grandpa, Go!’”

Currently, Bob takes part in two physical and occupational therapy sessions a week – a combination of hard work and “visiting and socializing with family,” as Joy describes his time with the therapists.

More milestone achievements are on his goal list, as Bob continues to build endurance during these sessions, with speech therapy not far behind. And, up next, Bob is looking forward to visiting family in Florida this winter and walking around their house, something he hasn’t been able to do since 2017.

Another incredible moment in Bob’s journey.

Neurologic conditions can be life changing, but the Neuro Rehabilitation Program at Memorial is here to help those along a journey of recovery and regaining independence. Our team of skilled experts in physical, occupational, and speech therapies work together to provide restorative care to help individuals with neurologic conditions improve mobility, independence, and quality of life.

Our team has experience treating patients with a variety of neurologic conditions including:

• Balance disorders/falls
• Brain injuries/traumatic brain injuries
• Brain tumors
• Cerebellar disorders
• Cerebral palsy
• Concussions
• Degenerative disorders
• Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND)
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Spinal cord injuries
• Strokes
• Vertigo/vestibular conditions

To learn more about Memorial’s Neuro Rehabilitation Program, call our team at (937) 578-7841.