The following is a summary of my Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital “story.” I invite you to read it, and if you so feel compelled, try and attend the December 6 Miracle Night for Madonna gala or donate via this page in support of the hospital because I know I would not be where I am today if not for them providing me with world-class rehabilitation therapy!

Research has shown that the earlier a care team can get a recovering stroke patient up and moving, the better the overall outcomes will be. This fact proved certainly proved true for me after my stroke as Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ stroke experts, specialized technology coupled with my determination to get better made for a winning combination in my recovery.

I had just returned home to Kansas City from a weekend visiting family in Omaha for Thanksgiving when I suffered my stroke that resulted in paralysis to my right side. I would spend the next four days in the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City before eventually coming to Madonna in Omaha.

Physical therapy collaborated with occupational and speech therapies to maximize my independence and strength. I also received many co-treatments that were designed to emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

My progress continued to build with each session over the next two months as I went from needing someone else to move my right foot while walking, to using an ankle foot orthosis and cane. I also began navigating stairs and my speech became clearer and louder which allowed my extroverted personality to once again shine!

After being discharged, I continued my therapy via Madonna’s Rehabilitation Day Program. My speech began to improve with the use of the Visipitch that recorded and analyzed the volume and clarity of my voice. The best thing about being in outpatient therapy was getting to go home to my own bed!

The therapists at Madonna pushed me, but I also wanted to get better for my own self as they can’t do it all. They made me feel like I was their friend and that got me through mentally which was just as important as physical part!

Once again, if you feel so compelled, please feel free to either attend the December 6 Miracle Night for Madonna gala or donate to the hospital via the link on this page as I would not be where I am today without them!

Here is the technology including in the 2024 Technology Showcase.

• The SOLO-Step - a balance training device designed to aid in rehabilitation and physical therapy, specifically facilitating high-intensity gait training. The system includes an overhead track and harness that supports patients during walking and balance exercises, allowing them to safely engage in more challenging and intensive rehabilitation activities. By minimizing the risk of falls, the SOLO-Step enables patients to participate in high-intensity gait training sessions that promote faster recovery and improve overall mobility and strength.

• SmartDrive was created with manual wheelchair users in mind. It offers a range of controls to deliver a seamless power assist experience, providing an opportunity for 80% fewer pushes. The mounting location, the ergonomic handle, the weight, and the OmniWheel were all designed to give manual wheelchair users access to fewer pushes, using an iPhone for easy controls.