Therapy Treatments and New Technology Available at New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland helps Patients Return to Normal Life

Because it was so normal, in a roomful of people only Sharon Hartl noticed Dan Potter's simple, fluid movement as he pulled a tic-tac box out of his pocket, fished one out and placed it in his mouth. But Hartl, an occupational therapist at New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland (NERHP), did notice and she celebrated this simple task because it exemplified Potter's recovery from a devastating bilateral stroke he suffered in April of 2005. The stroke affected both sides of Potter's brain and left him with a body he couldn't control.

Luckily for Potter, his wife Joyce had noticed that something was wrong with his breathing and body posture when he fell asleep after a routine, but long day working at their landscaping company. After watching his body curl into a fetal position, she tried to awaken Dan and then called 9-1-1. After twelve days in the hospitals, doctors were able to stabilize him and transfer him to New England Rehab to begin his journey back home to Union. Joyce's action of recognizing the signs of stroke and calling 9-1-1 was the first step in a successful recovery.

Each year about 700,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, one stroke occurs every 45 seconds. Stroke kills over 157,000 people a year, which is almost 1 in every 15 deaths. It is the No. 3 cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. Recent surveys have found that less than one-fourth of Americans know the most common warning signs of stroke.

Dan Potter makes use of new technology, the AutoAmbulator, at NERHP

"While stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, you still don't hear a lot people talking about it," said Lisa Charbonneau, DO, medical director of New England Rehab Hospital. "It is also important for the public to realize how important immediate treatment and rehabilitation are to the stroke recovery process. Rehabilitation restores function, teaches people with disabilities new ways to perform daily activities and provides education and support for the stroke survivor and family."

Victims of stroke or severe injury often have difficulty regaining the ability to perform everyday functions of living such as walking, talking and even swallowing. Not being able to move his legs, control his arms or complete simple tasks left the independent-minded Potter depressed, agitated and confused at times. At NERHP Potter began a regimen of multiple traditional therapeutic treatments combined with new technologies.

Dan Potter reunites with his NERHP therapy team one year after his stroke. L-R: Brianna Page, SLP, Deb Kelley, PT, Dan Potter, Sharon Hartl, OT and Joyce Potter.

For three hours each day physical and occupational therapists helped Potter through stretching and strengthening exercises for his trunk muscles, cognitive and self-care activities, electrical stimulation for his leg muscles and muscle retraining with a weight-supporting robotic treadmill called the AutoAmbulator.

With therapy, Potter progressed, regained control of his muscles and was successful in gaining his independence. By the end of July 2005, Potter was home with Joyce by his side.

As he sat with his NERHP therapists one year after his stroke, they all marveled at his recovery. No weakness can be detected in his walking. He has lost weight and improved his health habits. He is calmer; he has gained confidence which has built up his self esteem. In fact, thanks to the fluidity of all his movements, including the very normal - but at one time impossible - task of eating a tic-tac, it is very difficult to tell that he suffered a bilateral stroke. And he is thankful that no one notices.