Gerald Sanders enjoyed the weekend with his family when he didn’t feel right and checked into Dignity Health’s Marian Regional Medical Center on March 24, 2024. He was dehydrated, vomiting, and had elevated blood pressure. Gerald suffered a stroke early the next morning.
“To get a jumpstart on my recovery, receiving acute care and transitioning to post-acute care was the best option for me,” says Gerald.
Three days after his stroke, Gerald transferred to Dignity Health’s Arroyo Grande Acute Rehabilitation Center. His stroke affected the left side of his body, his ability to walk, and caused double vision. It took just three weeks for Gerald to progress from a wheelchair to a hemi-walker. He could dress and bathe himself, but he still had more progress to make.
On April 29, 2024, Gerald began post-acute rehabilitation therapy at Centre for Neuro Skills’ Los Angeles clinic. Gerald and his wife, Beth, made the 2-hour commute to Los Angeles each week so that he could receive therapy 5 days a week.
Gerald strengthened his legs and focused on regaining balance on the left side of his body through physical therapy. He used CNS’ innovative Zero-G Gait and Balance System technology and equipment to progress from using a hemi-walker to a cane. Gerald regained strength on the treadmill and exercise bike and walked independently in just a few months.
Through occupational therapy, Gerald regained strength and dexterity in his left hand. Vision therapy helped to improve his double vision and peripheral vision. Gerald also learned to understand his complex emotions while recovering from his brain injury through one-on-one and group counseling.
“There may be some big milestones, but there’s a lot of small things you need to relearn in the process of recovery,” said Gerald.
In just five months, Gerald made a tremendous recovery, overcoming his physical and cognitive deficits and returning to a life of independence. His successful outcome is a result of the tremendous continuum of care emphasized by dedicated doctors and therapists throughout his rehabilitation journey. Since discharging from CNS, he has returned to his hometown in San Luis Obispo County with his family and looks forward to getting back into pickleball with his friends, relearning how to drive, and traveling.
“He’s so independent now compared to how he was in the beginning,” said Beth. “It’s been quite a transformation.”
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