Robert's story
Robert Ferrara’s back problems were nothing new. At 39, a work injury led to back surgery but instead of bringing relief, it left him with nerve damage and he was unable to work. In the aftermath, his wife Sandi secured a job with medical benefits. Robert took over as the primary caregiver at home — managing the house, cooking, cleaning and raising their two sons.
Years later, Sandi’s health declined and Robert began caring for her as well. “I have been taking care of her for seven years,” he said.
But in recent months, Robert, started experiencing shortness of breath and after visiting his doctor, he underwent triple bypass surgery. During recovery, the 78-year-old developed pressure sores and was moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center in Delaware. Incontinence and shortness of breath ensued. Robert underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal significantly narrows putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. He was airlifted to Jefferson Hospital for the advanced spinal decompression surgery he required.
“The day after surgery, my legs started flailing,” Robert said. “They told me the operation went well, but my symptoms were severe. I had no control over my legs.” Robert was also extremely weak and easily fatigued.
Once medically stable, his doctor recommended rehabilitation so Robert could regain his independence.
For his rehabilitation, Robert chose Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation – Marlton. He knew they would help him regain his strength and mobility. Upon admission, Robert needed assistance for everything; he couldn’t sit, stand, or walk without losing balance. He also had a hard time controlling his legs.
Robert’s initial goal was ambitious — to walk out of the hospital and return home to help care for Sandi. “That became unreal,” he admitted, “but my latest goal is to walk into my house with a walker. And I feel I might be able to do that with my son.”
Key to Roberts recovery was support from Sandi and their two sons. One of his sons came to visit nearly every day and participated in the Care Partner Program, which educates family members how to help their loved ones physically and emotionally when they return home.
In preparation for his return home, both of Robert’s sons learned how to prepare their dad’s house for his return home. They took doors off the hinges to accommodate his wheelchair, moved furniture, remounted the TV and made sure everything was safe and accessible.
Kessler’s physician-led team of therapists created a care plan to help him reach this goal. Physical and occupational therapy were essential to his recovery. Wound management was also apriority; he came with a stage-3 pressure wound, which improved during his stay (though nothing specific about whether stages advanced). The nursing staff helped manage his wound, focusing on hygiene and proper weight shifting techniques.
In therapy, the first thing that Robert had to master was sitting. Occupational therapy worked with him to sit up and shift his weight while seated to increase his tolerance and balance. The simple act of reaching for objects or leaning his body increased his core strength. When he was ready to stand, he worked inside of parallel bars and used a Barihab therapeutic table, a piece of equipment used for sit-to-stand exercises, transfer and balance training. Robert also used a knee blocker brace to prevent buckling. High intensity gait training focused on using body weight support systems to walk and increase his heart rate, but his therapist also added weights to his legs and arms when standing and completing activities while standing. Robert learned how to effectively place a transfer board, shift and scoot his body across it to safely transfer between surfaces. He could soon stand long enough to feel comfortable in the kitchen.
Tapping into his interest in cooking, some therapy sessions took place in the kitchen and exercised Robert’s planning and meal prep skills to create a meal. “I cooked chicken Piccata for the staff — and it was a hit,” Robert said with a smile. He prepared chicken Marsala soon after.
Physical therapy activities strengthened his body, increased his endurance and activity tolerance. Robert really enjoyed walking on the treadmill. His weight was supported by a harness which allowed him to walk in an upright position. He also used a robotic gait trainer, which supported his body weight while he relearned how to walk with the proper stride.
To help stabilize his legs, Robert’s team fitted him with bilateral ankle and foot orthoses – braces that stabilized and aligned his feet and ankles while he walked.
“I knew when I did the 2,000 steps on the treadmill using a harness for fall prevention, I could meet my goals,” Robert said.
Over just 21 days, Robert made incredible progress. He could walk with a rolling walker and minimal assistance. He relearned how to navigate up and down a step and complete car transfers with minimal assistance. His balance was greatly improved, and his endurance soared to over 150 feet using his walker. Most importantly, he was regaining his confidence.
“My therapists worked me hard every day and motivated me,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the people who work here.”
Robert’s journey at KIR reminded him of his inner strength. “On the days that I was down, I came out of it and found resilience and mental strength. I had a lot of time to sit and reflect,” he said.
As he looked ahead to outpatient therapy near his home in Delaware, Robert had only one thing on his mind. “Getting home and giving my wife a hug — just being with her.”
Years later, Sandi’s health declined and Robert began caring for her as well. “I have been taking care of her for seven years,” he said.
But in recent months, Robert, started experiencing shortness of breath and after visiting his doctor, he underwent triple bypass surgery. During recovery, the 78-year-old developed pressure sores and was moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center in Delaware. Incontinence and shortness of breath ensued. Robert underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal canal significantly narrows putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. He was airlifted to Jefferson Hospital for the advanced spinal decompression surgery he required.
“The day after surgery, my legs started flailing,” Robert said. “They told me the operation went well, but my symptoms were severe. I had no control over my legs.” Robert was also extremely weak and easily fatigued.
Once medically stable, his doctor recommended rehabilitation so Robert could regain his independence.
For his rehabilitation, Robert chose Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation – Marlton. He knew they would help him regain his strength and mobility. Upon admission, Robert needed assistance for everything; he couldn’t sit, stand, or walk without losing balance. He also had a hard time controlling his legs.
Robert’s initial goal was ambitious — to walk out of the hospital and return home to help care for Sandi. “That became unreal,” he admitted, “but my latest goal is to walk into my house with a walker. And I feel I might be able to do that with my son.”
Key to Roberts recovery was support from Sandi and their two sons. One of his sons came to visit nearly every day and participated in the Care Partner Program, which educates family members how to help their loved ones physically and emotionally when they return home.
In preparation for his return home, both of Robert’s sons learned how to prepare their dad’s house for his return home. They took doors off the hinges to accommodate his wheelchair, moved furniture, remounted the TV and made sure everything was safe and accessible.
Kessler’s physician-led team of therapists created a care plan to help him reach this goal. Physical and occupational therapy were essential to his recovery. Wound management was also apriority; he came with a stage-3 pressure wound, which improved during his stay (though nothing specific about whether stages advanced). The nursing staff helped manage his wound, focusing on hygiene and proper weight shifting techniques.
In therapy, the first thing that Robert had to master was sitting. Occupational therapy worked with him to sit up and shift his weight while seated to increase his tolerance and balance. The simple act of reaching for objects or leaning his body increased his core strength. When he was ready to stand, he worked inside of parallel bars and used a Barihab therapeutic table, a piece of equipment used for sit-to-stand exercises, transfer and balance training. Robert also used a knee blocker brace to prevent buckling. High intensity gait training focused on using body weight support systems to walk and increase his heart rate, but his therapist also added weights to his legs and arms when standing and completing activities while standing. Robert learned how to effectively place a transfer board, shift and scoot his body across it to safely transfer between surfaces. He could soon stand long enough to feel comfortable in the kitchen.
Tapping into his interest in cooking, some therapy sessions took place in the kitchen and exercised Robert’s planning and meal prep skills to create a meal. “I cooked chicken Piccata for the staff — and it was a hit,” Robert said with a smile. He prepared chicken Marsala soon after. Physical therapy activities strengthened his body, increased his endurance and activity tolerance. Robert really enjoyed walking on the treadmill. His weight was supported by a harness which allowed him to walk in an upright position. He also used a robotic gait trainer, which supported his body weight while he relearned how to walk with the proper stride.
To help stabilize his legs, Robert’s team fitted him with bilateral ankle and foot orthoses – braces that stabilized and aligned his feet and ankles while he walked.
“I knew when I did the 2,000 steps on the treadmill using a harness for fall prevention, I could meet my goals,” Robert said.
Over just 21 days, Robert made incredible progress. He could walk with a rolling walker and minimal assistance. He relearned how to navigate up and down a step and complete car transfers with minimal assistance. His balance was greatly improved, and his endurance soared to over 150 feet using his walker. Most importantly, he was regaining his confidence.
“My therapists worked me hard every day and motivated me,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the people who work here.”
Robert’s journey at KIR reminded him of his inner strength. “On the days that I was down, I came out of it and found resilience and mental strength. I had a lot of time to sit and reflect,” he said.
As he looked ahead to outpatient therapy near his home in Delaware, Robert had only one thing on his mind. “Getting home and giving my wife a hug — just being with her.”