Richard's story
Richard Pingitor, 46, is a dedicated security supervisor and has been active in the Special Olympics of New Jersey since his youth, participating in baseball, softball, flag football and basketball events.
During a recent baseball game in North Carolina, he began to feel ill, took off his catcher’s mask and left the game after the sixth inning. He returned to his hotel where he felt nauseated and woke up in cold sweats with an aching shoulder. Following a long drive back home with his coaches – and feeling no better – he went to the emergency room at RWJ in Hamilton.
Richard had experienced a heart attack.
Richard underwent multiple procedures, including the placement of stents, before being transferred to Newark Beth Israel for further cardiac care. Indeed, Richard’s heart was failing and he was in need of a left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) to keep his blood flowing. This device is a battery operated pump is used to treat people experiencing severe heart failure. As it is a temporary life-saving device, the doctors informed Richard he would need a heart transplant in the future.
Following these intense medical interventions, Richard experienced diminished strength in his legs, debilitating shortness of breath and severe fatigue. After achieving medical stability, his doctors recommended a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program to fulfill his need for cardiac and physical therapy.
Richard and his family chose Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR) - West Orange.
“I was told this was a good place to come for rehab,” he recalled. “I wanted to get stronger in my legs and work on my strength for me to go home safely.”
Upon admission, Richard set goals for himself. He wanted to regain strength in his legs, improve his breathing and learn to manage his LVAD. He also wanted to return to work and to the sports he enjoyed. “I wanted to get back to being me,” he said.
During his rehabilitation, Richard's physician-led therapy team created a care plan where he was monitored closely while working within specific cardiac parameters – particularly during exercise, rest periods and recovery after exercise.
His physical therapy focused on functional endurance training and energy conservation techniques. With great resolve, Richard worked extensively on walking and his endurance improved greatly. His therapists marveled as he improved, walking household distances with standing rest breaks - without a device. Richard needed to be able to navigate a flight of stairs into his apartment, so stair training was also an important part of physical therapy sessions that Richard mastered by discharge.
One of the turning points in Richard's recovery came during occupational therapy (OT) sessions, where he practiced essential daily tasks. “Doing OT was very helpful for me to get back to doing the things I need to do,” he noted.
When he was admitted to KIR - West Orange, it took Richard a significant amount of time to do everyday tasks like dressing, putting on footwear and managing the LVAD. Since Richard lived alone, occupational therapy helped him practice these tasks while using energy conservation strategies. By discharge, he could do activities of daily living independently within a home setting. He was encouraged to have family assist with laundry/grocery shopping due to the complexity of managing his LVAD, but he was fully independent for self-care and household activities, like cleaning and cooking.
To help Richard breath better, his therapists taught him pursed lip breathing to assist with shortness of breath. Upon arrival, he was only able to maintain stand for 30-40 seconds before needing to take a seated break due to shortness of breath. By discharge, he was able to maintain standing for approximately six minutes without feeling overly short of breath.
“All of the activities were great,” Richard remarked.
No matter the OT activity, Richard enjoyed working with Cypress. Cypress is KIR-West Orange’s therapy dog. Therapy dogs provide valuable physical and emotional support helping many patients in their daily rehabilitation. Cypress helped Richard with endurance, fine motor control, improving hand strength and standing endurance – not to mention lifting Richard’s spirits.
Family support also played a crucial role in Richard’s rehabilitation. His father, brother, and stepmother participated in training sessions for LVAD management and dressing changes, reinforcing a strong support system that encouraged his progress.
Reflecting on his experience at KIR - West Orange, Richard expressed deep gratitude.
“I’m so happy that I came here,” he said. “You guys pushed me to make sure I could do what I need to do to get better.” He acknowledged his growth throughout this journey, stating, “I’ve learned a lot—I’m stronger than I was, but I know I will continue to get stronger day by day.”
As Richard prepared to return home, he was determined to follow medical advice to physically prepare for a future heart transplant. “Going home and doing what I have to do to survive is my next step,” he said.
Upon discharge, the sportsman offered these words of advice to others facing similar challenges: “Be patient; it’s a long road to get better.”
During a recent baseball game in North Carolina, he began to feel ill, took off his catcher’s mask and left the game after the sixth inning. He returned to his hotel where he felt nauseated and woke up in cold sweats with an aching shoulder. Following a long drive back home with his coaches – and feeling no better – he went to the emergency room at RWJ in Hamilton.
Richard had experienced a heart attack.
Richard underwent multiple procedures, including the placement of stents, before being transferred to Newark Beth Israel for further cardiac care. Indeed, Richard’s heart was failing and he was in need of a left ventricular assistive device (LVAD) to keep his blood flowing. This device is a battery operated pump is used to treat people experiencing severe heart failure. As it is a temporary life-saving device, the doctors informed Richard he would need a heart transplant in the future.
Following these intense medical interventions, Richard experienced diminished strength in his legs, debilitating shortness of breath and severe fatigue. After achieving medical stability, his doctors recommended a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program to fulfill his need for cardiac and physical therapy.
Richard and his family chose Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation (KIR) - West Orange.
“I was told this was a good place to come for rehab,” he recalled. “I wanted to get stronger in my legs and work on my strength for me to go home safely.”
Upon admission, Richard set goals for himself. He wanted to regain strength in his legs, improve his breathing and learn to manage his LVAD. He also wanted to return to work and to the sports he enjoyed. “I wanted to get back to being me,” he said.
During his rehabilitation, Richard's physician-led therapy team created a care plan where he was monitored closely while working within specific cardiac parameters – particularly during exercise, rest periods and recovery after exercise.
His physical therapy focused on functional endurance training and energy conservation techniques. With great resolve, Richard worked extensively on walking and his endurance improved greatly. His therapists marveled as he improved, walking household distances with standing rest breaks - without a device. Richard needed to be able to navigate a flight of stairs into his apartment, so stair training was also an important part of physical therapy sessions that Richard mastered by discharge.
One of the turning points in Richard's recovery came during occupational therapy (OT) sessions, where he practiced essential daily tasks. “Doing OT was very helpful for me to get back to doing the things I need to do,” he noted.
When he was admitted to KIR - West Orange, it took Richard a significant amount of time to do everyday tasks like dressing, putting on footwear and managing the LVAD. Since Richard lived alone, occupational therapy helped him practice these tasks while using energy conservation strategies. By discharge, he could do activities of daily living independently within a home setting. He was encouraged to have family assist with laundry/grocery shopping due to the complexity of managing his LVAD, but he was fully independent for self-care and household activities, like cleaning and cooking.
To help Richard breath better, his therapists taught him pursed lip breathing to assist with shortness of breath. Upon arrival, he was only able to maintain stand for 30-40 seconds before needing to take a seated break due to shortness of breath. By discharge, he was able to maintain standing for approximately six minutes without feeling overly short of breath.
“All of the activities were great,” Richard remarked.
No matter the OT activity, Richard enjoyed working with Cypress. Cypress is KIR-West Orange’s therapy dog. Therapy dogs provide valuable physical and emotional support helping many patients in their daily rehabilitation. Cypress helped Richard with endurance, fine motor control, improving hand strength and standing endurance – not to mention lifting Richard’s spirits.
Family support also played a crucial role in Richard’s rehabilitation. His father, brother, and stepmother participated in training sessions for LVAD management and dressing changes, reinforcing a strong support system that encouraged his progress.
Reflecting on his experience at KIR - West Orange, Richard expressed deep gratitude.
“I’m so happy that I came here,” he said. “You guys pushed me to make sure I could do what I need to do to get better.” He acknowledged his growth throughout this journey, stating, “I’ve learned a lot—I’m stronger than I was, but I know I will continue to get stronger day by day.”
As Richard prepared to return home, he was determined to follow medical advice to physically prepare for a future heart transplant. “Going home and doing what I have to do to survive is my next step,” he said.
Upon discharge, the sportsman offered these words of advice to others facing similar challenges: “Be patient; it’s a long road to get better.”