Erik Berg had never worked so hard to go such a short distance. But the church aisle was longer than the parallel bars that he had walked in so many times, and his beautiful daughter Stephanie was not his physical therapist. It was his daughter's wedding day, and he was determined to take the lead and walk her down the aisle.

Just eight months prior to that day, Erik had been in the Neuro ICU at MGH after suffering an acute brain hemorrhage which left him in respiratory and multisystem failure. He was on a ventilator, clinging to life. His wife, two daughters and extended family prayed for his recovery.

After 4 weeks of intensive medical care at MGH, Erik had stabilized enough to be transferred to the Neuro Rehab Program at Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehab Hospital in Salem, MA. Erik required LTAC level of care because of his continued medical needs as well as the need to begin more intensive PT, OT and Speech therapies.

He was admitted with a tracheostomy, trach collar and G-tube for feeding. He was a total assist for all mobility and functional activities, and extremely lethargic due to the prolonged ICU stay. He had significant left hemiparesis, dysphagia, dysarthria and visual deficits due to the stroke. The team began to work with him gradually, in order to increase his tolerance for activity and level of alertness, and to decrease his oxygen dependence.

In addition to traditional therapy interventions, the team used specialized procedures to address his specific deficits. Physiatrist Dr. Richard Zaniewski recommended orthotics to help his standing and ambulation. His Speech/Language Pathologist, Sara Kooima used techniques such as deep pharyngeal nerve stimulation (DPNS) and thermal gustatory stimulation for his dysphagia. Two weeks into his LTAC stay, OT Amy Urquhart used the Bioness NESS H200 splint on his left hand with good result. After Erik had increased his tolerance for activity, his physical therapists Joclyn Hunter and Sara Robuccio used the Lite Gait and treadmill to work on ambulation.

Erik's medical issues resolved and he continued to make significant gains in therapy. He would now benefit from more intensive rehab in an IRF setting, so the plan was put into place for discharge after 5 weeks at Shaughnessy-Kaplan. At that time, he still required some assistance for mobility and transfers, but was alert, able to participate and on a regular diet with G-tube removed. He and his family were ready for the next step.

After a 3-week stay in a rehab facility, Erik was discharged home with his wife Linda. They attended the Annual Patient Reunion in September at Shaughnessy-Kaplan, and amazed his former team of caregivers. Some of them were lucky enough to be there to see him walk Stephanie down the aisle on her wedding day. Out of all of the walks he had taken in his months in rehabilitation, that walk was the most rewarding of all.