For many of our tenants, residents and their loved ones, falling is a common fear. There are many things we can do to prevent a fall: remove small floor rugs in walkways, wear comfortable shoes with treads and make sure we stay active and strong.<\/p>\n
For Joe Senser, fall prevention was the last thing on his mind. Former Minnesota Vikings tight end, Joe was a 1,000 yard receiving Pro Bowl player who scored the very first touchdown at the Metrodome in 1982.\u00a0 He is an active husband, father, grandfather and businessman.<\/p>\n
Just 7 months ago, life changed drastically for Joe in an instant.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe had a very severe stroke,\u201d Amy Senser explained. \u201cHe\u2019s not supposed to be here. They said he wasn\u2019t going to make it.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded in agreement as he watched his wife\u2019s eyes swell with tears.<\/p>\n
Yet, here he was on a bright Friday morning: a regular with Ascend, determined to fight back. Not sure where to continue his next phase of recovery, the Sensers were referred by a friend to Saint Therese.<\/p>\n
Joe visits Saint Therese of New Hope four days each week, armed with a cane in his left hand and Amy holding his right. Janet Bauer, his occupational therapist, concentrates on helping Joe rebuild strength in his arms and shoulders so he can re-learn normal movement patterns. Bauer\u2019s efforts teach Joe new ways of doing the little things others may take for granted, such as brushing his teeth or buttoning a shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cOccupational, physical and speech therapies with Ascend work as a collaborative team to improve Joe\u2019s mobility, muscle strength and his ability to communicate throughout his recovery process,\u201d Bauer said.<\/p>\n
Although Joe\u2019s ability to walk and talk diminished following his stroke, he has not lost his ambitious attitude or sense of humor. His first appointment is Cortney Place, a speech language pathologist who works with Joe to recover his voice. The two have developed a special bond, laughing together through their mistakes and celebrating the daily victories they achieve, no matter how small.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe has demonstrated improvements with simple words, phrases and some sentences. He\u2019s also successfully recovered his infectious smile,\u201d Place said.<\/p>\n
Amy sits next to Joe, holding his hand and smiling with every little success. She helps reinforce the articulation skills Place is focused on improving.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s made great progress. Simply said, it\u2019s nothing short of miraculous,\u201d said Amy.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s eyes light up when he sees Iva Carey, lead physical therapist with Ascend, open the door. He gives Iva a thumbs-up and slowly meets Carey in the gym. Carey structures her time with Joe to focus on strength and balance, relearning how to walk and challenging him to continue making progress, which he says has been slow and steady.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with Joe is rewarding because of his positive attitude. He\u2019ll try anything. He\u2019s an athlete so he\u2019s familiar with being coached and pushed. He\u2019s more willing to try something new or change his approach if I ask him,\u201d Carey said.<\/p>\n
Before no time, Carey has Joe comfortably fitted into the Solo-Step, a state-of-the-art overhead track and harness system designed to protect patients from falling during the rehabilitation process. Saint Therese has been home to this system for the last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many benefits to the Solo-Step. It\u2019s easy to use, lightweight and non-restrictive. This system is a safe way to work with someone like Joe who is a different height or weight than me. I\u2019m able to challenge him in ways I couldn\u2019t before Saint Therese had this system,\u201d Carey said.<\/p>\n
Joe takes a few steps forward with Carey in front of him. He\u2019s slow but he\u2019s stable and very focused. The harness rotates with his body as he turns around to walk back to his starting point. Carey places a wood plank flat on the floor in front of where Joe is standing. He steps with one foot on the plank and swings the other foot over, successfully stepping over the obstacle Carey created. It may look easy but it\u2019s taken Joe hard work and determination to get this far in his recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor him to fall would be disastrous. It\u2019s my very worst fear,\u201d said Amy with her hands clasped over her lips, intently watching Joe. She breathes a deep sigh of relief every time he clears the plank in celebration of his feat. \u201cHe\u2019s a big, strong guy. The Solo-Step gives him freedom to move and the time he needs to renegotiate his movements with his mind. He wouldn\u2019t be where he is without Saint Therese and the specialized equipment they offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iva clears Joe\u2019s walking area of the plank and claps her hands together with a smile. She asks Joe if he wants to try showing everyone his putting skills. Joe\u2019s eyes light up and he says, \u201cOh, yeah!\u201d<\/p>\n
The gym is filled with cheers for Joe as he swings the putter. Despite all the challenges, he manages to sink one in the putt cup. Amy pumps her fists in the air in triumph. He\u2019s still scoring those points.<\/p>\n
When asked about how he feels, Joe says, \u201cI feel steady. I feel safe walking\u201d. That in itself is a huge accomplishment.<\/p>\n