Strides with Bioness for Patricia Downey
Donation protected
As many know my mother, Patricia Downey suffered a severe stroke on May 9th which left her with no use of her right side, speech impairment and trouble swallowing. She spent 2 weeks in St. Agnes Hospital, 3 weeks at Johns Hopkins Bayview Rehabilitation and 8 weeks at Genesis Rehabilitation. She was nowhere near ready to come home but we were thrilled she was finally happy to feel somewhat normal again all while doing everything in our power to assist her.
She hit many milestones through her journey. It was the hardest thing on day 3 to watch the speech pathologists work with her and my mother show no response. They sung happy birthday and asked her to clap along to the rhythm and my mother showed no reaction at all. Her speech has significantly improved. And it was the greatest feeling when I heard her laugh for the first time since her stroke. Since she was unable to swallow, she had a feeding tube placed and finally passed her swallow test on May 29th and was introduced to soft foods, finally progressing to a normal diet and the tube was removed July 17th.
During this time she had an hour therapy session 4-5 days a week working on strengthening her motor skills. She needed maximum assistance with her right arm and leg. On July 4th was when she began to start moving her right foot, it was minimal movement BUT it was movement! I’ll never forget that day! She continues to make small improvements with her right leg, she has a daily exercise regimen we guide her through which is improving her strength but is still needing assistance with all transfers. She continues with outpatient therapy at Cypress Creek and they introduced her to Bioness. A device used to regain function for stroke patients having foot drop. It electrically stimulates the nerve and muscle while taking steps to help her walk farther, faster and longer. Insurance has denied this device request as they don’t find it “medically necessary” but it’s a necessity for my mother to gain her independence back. Which is why I’m asking for this help. I’ve had to swallow my pride because my mother deserves this!
I can’t even begin to know what my mother goes through every day with having lost her independence. Up until January of 2018 she was working full time and being a house wife. Due to her Atrial Fibrillation condition of her heart which is an irregular rapid heart rate, she had to stop working. She went through several heart cardioversions; which are electric shocks to the heart while put to sleep for. Some took for short periods of time. On May 9th she was having a heart procedure done and during the procedure is when she experienced the stroke. My mother needs this device.
My mother is a woman with a heart of gold and the strength of a warrior! She has always been one to offer a lending hand even when she has nothing left for herself and has always been willing to put the needs of others before hers. I only hope through reaching out for help, I can provide this device for her and make her life a little less challenging and much more independent. Thank you for reading her story.
She hit many milestones through her journey. It was the hardest thing on day 3 to watch the speech pathologists work with her and my mother show no response. They sung happy birthday and asked her to clap along to the rhythm and my mother showed no reaction at all. Her speech has significantly improved. And it was the greatest feeling when I heard her laugh for the first time since her stroke. Since she was unable to swallow, she had a feeding tube placed and finally passed her swallow test on May 29th and was introduced to soft foods, finally progressing to a normal diet and the tube was removed July 17th.
During this time she had an hour therapy session 4-5 days a week working on strengthening her motor skills. She needed maximum assistance with her right arm and leg. On July 4th was when she began to start moving her right foot, it was minimal movement BUT it was movement! I’ll never forget that day! She continues to make small improvements with her right leg, she has a daily exercise regimen we guide her through which is improving her strength but is still needing assistance with all transfers. She continues with outpatient therapy at Cypress Creek and they introduced her to Bioness. A device used to regain function for stroke patients having foot drop. It electrically stimulates the nerve and muscle while taking steps to help her walk farther, faster and longer. Insurance has denied this device request as they don’t find it “medically necessary” but it’s a necessity for my mother to gain her independence back. Which is why I’m asking for this help. I’ve had to swallow my pride because my mother deserves this!
I can’t even begin to know what my mother goes through every day with having lost her independence. Up until January of 2018 she was working full time and being a house wife. Due to her Atrial Fibrillation condition of her heart which is an irregular rapid heart rate, she had to stop working. She went through several heart cardioversions; which are electric shocks to the heart while put to sleep for. Some took for short periods of time. On May 9th she was having a heart procedure done and during the procedure is when she experienced the stroke. My mother needs this device.
My mother is a woman with a heart of gold and the strength of a warrior! She has always been one to offer a lending hand even when she has nothing left for herself and has always been willing to put the needs of others before hers. I only hope through reaching out for help, I can provide this device for her and make her life a little less challenging and much more independent. Thank you for reading her story.
Organizer
Melissa Downey Barnhart
Organizer
Pasadena, MD