Joshua's story
Joshua “Josh” Manning, a 28-year-old factory worker faced an unimaginable event that changed his life. Josh logged shifts at a spice factory and worked out at a gym regularly. One night while driving, he was shot in the head, leg and arm.
“I was driving in my town with some friends when, suddenly, someone shot me in the head,” Josh recalled. “I immediately crashed the car and the gunman continued shooting. Despite everything that happened, I was awake the whole time…. I felt so helpless and scared.”
He was rushed to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where surgeons removed a bullet from his head and managed his severe injuries. The trauma also caused an intracranial hemorrhage, bleeding in the brain. Josh was sedated and intubated so he could begin to heal and recover.
The weeks that followed were daunting as Josh navigated the physical and emotional aftermath of the attack. He was having difficulty communicating and moving the right side of his body, and was in need of intense rehabilitation. He transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR) - Saddle Brook, because of its reputation and proximity to his home.
Upon admission, Josh’s right side was weakened, affecting his ability to walk and move his arm. Additionally, he had acquired aphasia -- loss of ability to understand and express language -- from his injuries. Despite these obstacles, Josh was determined to regain his ability speak and strengthen his right side.
The Kessler physician-led rehabilitation program including speech, occupational and physical therapy, each tailored to his needs and goals.
In speech therapy, Josh worked on improving his verbal and written expression. Utilizing compensatory strategies, such as gestures, writing and a specialized app, he gradually improved his communication skills. "Speech therapy helped so much, and now I can communicate a lot better and speak my mind. It makes me so happy," Josh shared.
Occupational therapy focused on enhancing the mobility and strength of Josh's right arm. Through electrical stimulation modalities and higher-level mat mobility exercises, he made significant progress. "At first, I couldn’t move my right arm at all,” said Josh. He has learned how to feed himself with some assistance and get out of bed and dress independently.
Physical therapy was crucial in helping Josh regain his ability to walk. Participating in high-intensity gait training on treadmills and overground, using overhead harnesses, he improved his gait and overall mobility.
A memorable milestone for Josh was a community outing to Dunkin Donuts. Accompanied by his therapists, he walked a mile and successfully ordered coffee. The experience gave him confidence and made him realize how far he had progressed.
Throughout his three-week rehabilitation, Josh’s family played an important role. With six older siblings and a two-year old son, Josh’s family was there every day to cheer him on and participate in family training to help support him after discharge. Those who lived too far away to visit made sure to stay connected to Josh with FaceTime.
As Josh prepared to return home, he reflected on his experience at Kessler. "It helped me a lot. I had a great experience and wouldn’t have made as much progress if I hadn’t come here," he said. “I’m nervous, but excited to get back to some normalcy. I can’t wait to get back to work and to the gym and just keep improving.”
He left Kessler with a renewed sense of appreciation for his family and himself: “I learned how supportive my family is and how they’ll always be there for me,” he said. “I also learned how strong I am and that I can accomplish anything as long as I put my all into it.”
“I was driving in my town with some friends when, suddenly, someone shot me in the head,” Josh recalled. “I immediately crashed the car and the gunman continued shooting. Despite everything that happened, I was awake the whole time…. I felt so helpless and scared.”
He was rushed to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center, where surgeons removed a bullet from his head and managed his severe injuries. The trauma also caused an intracranial hemorrhage, bleeding in the brain. Josh was sedated and intubated so he could begin to heal and recover.
The weeks that followed were daunting as Josh navigated the physical and emotional aftermath of the attack. He was having difficulty communicating and moving the right side of his body, and was in need of intense rehabilitation. He transferred to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR) - Saddle Brook, because of its reputation and proximity to his home.
Upon admission, Josh’s right side was weakened, affecting his ability to walk and move his arm. Additionally, he had acquired aphasia -- loss of ability to understand and express language -- from his injuries. Despite these obstacles, Josh was determined to regain his ability speak and strengthen his right side.
The Kessler physician-led rehabilitation program including speech, occupational and physical therapy, each tailored to his needs and goals.
In speech therapy, Josh worked on improving his verbal and written expression. Utilizing compensatory strategies, such as gestures, writing and a specialized app, he gradually improved his communication skills. "Speech therapy helped so much, and now I can communicate a lot better and speak my mind. It makes me so happy," Josh shared.
Occupational therapy focused on enhancing the mobility and strength of Josh's right arm. Through electrical stimulation modalities and higher-level mat mobility exercises, he made significant progress. "At first, I couldn’t move my right arm at all,” said Josh. He has learned how to feed himself with some assistance and get out of bed and dress independently.
Physical therapy was crucial in helping Josh regain his ability to walk. Participating in high-intensity gait training on treadmills and overground, using overhead harnesses, he improved his gait and overall mobility.
A memorable milestone for Josh was a community outing to Dunkin Donuts. Accompanied by his therapists, he walked a mile and successfully ordered coffee. The experience gave him confidence and made him realize how far he had progressed.
Throughout his three-week rehabilitation, Josh’s family played an important role. With six older siblings and a two-year old son, Josh’s family was there every day to cheer him on and participate in family training to help support him after discharge. Those who lived too far away to visit made sure to stay connected to Josh with FaceTime.
As Josh prepared to return home, he reflected on his experience at Kessler. "It helped me a lot. I had a great experience and wouldn’t have made as much progress if I hadn’t come here," he said. “I’m nervous, but excited to get back to some normalcy. I can’t wait to get back to work and to the gym and just keep improving.”
He left Kessler with a renewed sense of appreciation for his family and himself: “I learned how supportive my family is and how they’ll always be there for me,” he said. “I also learned how strong I am and that I can accomplish anything as long as I put my all into it.”