MyoPro arm device

WHAT IS A MYOPRO ORTHOSIS?

MyoPro (my own motion)is a powered arm and hand orthosis (brace) designed to restore function to the wearer's  paralyzed, weakened upper extremity that might otherwise be impossible.  The most common medical conditions are from stroke/arm paralysis.  The device will help me to complete my activities of daily living (ADL).   The website for the MyoPro device is:  www.myopro.com .  Below is the story involving my stroke.

On the morning of July 5, 2016, my life would forever be changed. At the age of 49, I suffered a massive ischemic stroke which left me  paralyzed on the right side.   For over a week, I fought for my life while in the Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale .  While at the rehab hospital, I began the long journey of regaining the ability to walk, to talk, and attempt to move my right arm again.  After five weeks, I was flown to a nursing home in Ohio and eventually was able to move to my parents' home. 

I was evaluated for a device called the MyoPro, which is a myo-electric device that assists with arm movement. Because I have some muscle movement in my shoulder and bicep, I am able to activate the device. The purpose of the MyoPro is to assist with daily functional activities such as some lifting, positioning the arm to hold a plate from moving on the table, turning lights on and off, possibly opening up a door, assist with dressing and bending at the elbow (this would also help with preventing contractures in the future). The possibilities are potentially endless. However  this device is not covered by various insurances, mine being one of them (we took the appeals process the whole way through only to be denied). The reason for our insurance denial was due to lack of clinical trials and the anecdotal records and documentation was not sufficient for insurance to see it as a benefit for me.  I recently changed insurance companies (Medical Mutual) and the person from Myomo told me that I have a better chance of getting approved.

Prior to my stroke, I was a University Registrar at Miami International University in Miami, Florida.  Since I was right handed prior to the stroke, I have had to teach myself to do simple things with my left hand - such as tying a shoe one-handed, cooking, eating and getting dressed.  Simple things that a non-disabled person takes for granted everyday are hard for me because I not only need  to do it one-handed,  but also think about how to do it and with the opposite side than I would have done in the past.

Four years later, I still continue with therapy to regain my walking ability, using a leg brace (AFO).   I am also participating in a clinical trial for aphasia with the University of Cincinnati, to help with my speech.   Will also continue speech therapy locally, hoping to regain my prior speaking ability.   Occupational therapy has also been ongoing since my stroke.

The MyoPro is the only option that has been proven to work for me and we need your help.  Every donation that we receive is a giant leap toward allowing me to operate my arm once again.

Thank you for your time and your kind consideration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5yB4bOo4p4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hl5-crs0GE&t=88s