“Physical therapists should shift their paradigm of
rehabilitation from compensation to recovery.”
Behrman et al., Rehabilitation Researcher
Success Stories
The right exercise, for the right
duration, at the right time, can promote neurotrophic
growth factors. Therapists and patients should try
different things, until they find the method which
works.
The most commonly reported goal that
clients in rehabilitative programs report is to be able
to walk again. In
these video stories you will see how therapy
opportunities are increasing for many who are using the
Second Step Gait Harness System.
The therapists working with these users
believe that recovery is a better approach than
adaptation.
Throughout our website, you will see how
the GHS is different from everything else you have seen,
increasing your rehabilitation and recovery
opportunities with proven results, empowering both the
caregiver and the user.
Robert- Walks Outdoors for the
First Time since his TBI
After being brutally assaulted and left in a
coma, Robert was able to use the Gait
Harness System to walk again (and enjoy a
walk outdoors) for the first time since his
traumatic brain injury. Having this
significant event occur during his
attendance at the annual Brain Injury
Association Conference in Oregon was a day
to celebrate. Attendees were thrilled and
honored to be a part of his inspiring walk!
Norman- Saves his Leg, and Walks Again
Norman walks again after failed back surgery,
and secondary complications which lead to a
scheduled surgery to amputate his leg. He also
needed an additional
diagnosis and treatment in the area of his
C-spine. Norman traveled 65 miles to physical
therapy, every day. He has advanced beyond the
expectations of his MD, DPM and his
orthotist in under 1 month. Norman has so
improved lower extremity function that the
amputation was not only cancelled, he is able to
walk again. His therapy involved ambulation in
the Gait Harness System (GHS) with his RGO
(reciprocating gait orthosis) for 45 minutes a
session. Norman progressed from 5 minute
sessions in the parallel bars to 45 minutes in
GHS in just 1 week. After 6 weeks of therapy, he
had significant improvements in lower extremity
circulation, muscle mass strength, bone density
and cardiovascular studies, including a lowering
of his cholesterol and a reduction in his
hypertension. Norman's story shows that hope is
alive...and is living proof of how someone can
move from being wheelchair confined, and looking
at a future filled with challenges related to an
amputation, to resuming an independent life.
Walking, and recovery, are possible!
Eric- Seeing is Believing
If someone wants to walk again, then why
not try? Neuroplasticity is a term that describes the
brain's ability to reorganize by forming new neural
connections. Eric
is a T6 complete. Eric has
worked very hard to be able to walk and stand on his own
again. He now requires minimal assistance for
guidance of his GHS. Eric is wearing carbon fiber KAFOs
with stance control knees. As you can see, the gait
harness works very well with his braces.
With Eric,
seeing is believing.
Knute- Walks again
after 22 years -Taking the Road to Recovery
Knute was 11 years
old when he experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury
following an automobile accident. Knute had never walked
since, as he was at high risk for falls. 22 years later,
here begins his story. Knute is learning to walk again
WITHOUT any braces or computerized assistance, safely
with trained family/staff members. He began walking just
a few steps; now, he is walking up to 800 feet per
session. After 22 wheelchair bound years, he has come a
long way in a short period of time, and, using the GHS,
is making progress beyond anyone's expectations. While
walking, he is improving the quality of his social
communications with others, at an eye-to-eye level.
Knute is proud to share his video showing his "dream
come true!" He is proving when aiming high, anything is
possible!
Knute- Part 2 - Holding onto his Dream 25
Years Later: Taking the Road to Recovery
As you know from Knute’s video above, he had a
TBI resulting from a MVA from when he was just
11 years old. In the Second Step Gait Harness
System, he experienced his first steps, walking
for the first time in 22 years. Now 36 years
old, Knute is walking over 1,000 feet per
session! There is no end in sight for Knute's
continued progress. He is improving, one step at
a time, and is finding that all his consistent
hard work is making his dream to walk again come
true. This latest video shows Knute using the
GHS with greater ease, increased drive, and much
improved posture and endurance.
3 years ago, Amy suffered a T-11
spinal cord injury following a MVA. Her local doctor
and therapist told her she would never walk again. Amy
had different plans! She began using the Second Step
Gait Harness System at a serious spinal cord injury
recovery center. Within 9 months, you can see the
progress she has made. Amy now has her own Gait Harness
System at home, and uses it daily to go for walks
outside with her boyfriend. Amy is highly motivated, and
is determined to recover.
John
- Walking using Second Step, After
not Walking for over 15 years
John is a T-11/12 incomplete. He sustained both an SCI
and above knee amputation secondary to a MVA. He had
not tried to walk in 15 years. John’s therapist has
graduated him, using the Gait Harness System, through 2
prosthetics and orthotics to what you now see. He has
progressed from crawling, to ambulation with a standard
walker plus stand-by assistance for safety. He
currently is walking up to 1500 feet in the Gait Harness
System and 600 feet with a rolling walker. John
exemplifies both therapeutic complexity and ease of use
application of the Gait Harness System with both a
prosthetic and orthotic.
Working with
the Second Step Gait Harness System also allows the
therapist to safely implement neuromuscular
electro-stimulation to John’s muscle in his leg. The
right exercise, for the right duration, at the right
time can promote neurotrophic growth factors. Products
such as the Second Step, which accommodates treatment
techniques like this, not only have a specific
rehabilitation intent, but also a hologic focus.
David - Home Users find Recovery
David suffered from a stroke and then
severe muscle atrophy in his legs. He began using the
Gait Harness System at the end of 2008. Within 12 weeks
he went from walking 20 feet to walking 240 feet each
session. David uses the Gait Harness System twice per
week, and is very proud of his progress. This video
story shows how clinical hallways can become 2-lane,
active therapy corridors. Notice how the caregiver and
user have the room and freedom to walk safely. The
caregiver and the user have great control and easy
maneuverability over the GHS, without having to wrestle
with awkward, heavy or resistant equipment. You can see
David glides smoothly down the hallway, without intense
effort.
Mary Ann-
Making Walking Again a Reality After a Stroke
After suffering from a stroke, Mary Ann lost her
ability to stand and walk. She was able to begin
taking just a few steps (using the Second Step Gait
Harness System) two years ago, once a week. Mary
Ann's continued therapy goals have focused on her
consistent use of the GHS. Over time, this has
allowed her to now comfortably walk over 100 feet
each session, with continued hope for better days.
So far, this approach has brought success and opened
doors for new opportunities for her increasing
recovery.
Marlene- Continued Progress brings her
more Freedom at Home
The Gait Harness System is allowing Marlene, a woman
with cerebellar degeneration and severe balance
disturbance, to walk again.
Since she began using the System, she has increased her
walking from 10 feet to 200 feet per session.
This is greatly improving her strength and stamina,
making chair and wheelchair transfers much easier for
her.
Marlene says that "Using the Gait Harness System has
been a life changing experience. It is allowing me to
restore my ability and confidence. It’s hard work, but
it’s good work. It’s great to feel my muscles again!"
Marlene- Part
2-
Renewed Hope to Walk Again: Marlene Continues
Finding Solutions
Marlene is making progress reaching her goal of
learning to walk again, one day at a time. She
is using the Gait Harness System two times per
week in therapy. Marlene is now able to walk 250
feet per session, with more confidence and
purpose. She is increasing her strength and
control, which allows her to walk more
independently. For Marlene, who has been living
with severe balance disturbance and cerebellar
degeneration, her progress has exceeded anyone's
expectations.
Joe – PT shows how the GHS helps Clients Walk Again
Joe Millen, a PT, shows you features and benefits of
working with clients in the Gait Harness System.
Jim-Getting
Back on Your Feet
Recovery is closer than it seems for many
people. Using the Second Step Gait Harness System for
resistive and assistive therapy, Jim was pleased to find
his recovery after a stroke and a knee replacement got
him back on his feet again. Jim was able to address his
balance and weakness issues safely and productively, and
has resumed his hobbies and active lifestyle.
Maria- One Possible Solution for People who Need
Extra Help to Walk
This video will educate you on an effective, hands-free,
safe, and efficient client transfer process using the
TotaLiftII chair, for ultimate transfer and transport
flexibility, into the Gait Harness System. This transfer
process involves no complex set-up, bending nor lifting.
The Gait Harness System and the TotalLiftII are
individual systems which offer much when used
separately, but even more when used together.
Christina- Second Step Gait Training with Child Walking
Safely
The Gait Harness System is helping
children to be more independent when walking. The System
is designed to provide safety to children and to the
caregivers who are working with them.
Bob- With Second Step, Bob Walks Again
Bob is a 6 foot 5 inch C5 ASIA B status
post diving accident. His therapist has progressed him
from KAFO’s to AFO’s. Additionally, the therapist has
FES applied to the tib anterior and pernoneals that he
activates via a trigger switch to break the extension
spasticity. The GHS frees up an individual to manually
correct improper foot placement. The therapist reports
the harness works very well with the braces. This
particular individual also buckles on occasion.
Generally this happens when the patient accidentally
activates the e-stim bilaterally. The main point is
that the GHS effectively prevents him from falling and
there is no pain or skin irritation from the harness.
The therapist reports this client has tried numerous
harnesses and said the GHS harness is by far the most
comfortable.
Abby- Moving toward Recovery in the
Second Step Gait Harness System
Abby is a C6 complete who had been non ambulatory for
over 10 years. She is able to walk AGAIN in the GHS,
with carbon fiber KAFOs. She only requires the
assistance of one person for guidance of her GHS.
Without the GHS, walking again would require at least
two persons assisting her.
In the context of the continuing and
escalating need for rehabilitative therapy for traumatic
brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological, lower
extremity amputation, and stroke populations, these
stories offer hope that there is opportunity for
recovery. You have seen concrete examples of how using
the GHS in therapy has made walking again possible for
many.
Does your facility use the Gait Harness System?
If so,
click here to tell us
your story
No problem is too big…if the right
people, with the right treatment, and the right System,
go at it the right way
“Your videos of brain injured folks, like my son, using
the GHS brings tears to my eyes because it reminds us to
never give up and to keep trying new things.”
Bonnie P., parent of user, Eugene OR
.....healthy opportunities for recovery
“Just
this morning the Gait Harness System was bringing some amazement and
tears to staff members as a student used it successfully.”
David Cacciatore, Physical Therapist, Lane School, Houston TX
…..keeping therapists & patients safe
“Patients
cannot fall using the GHS as the harness is designed to
support their full body weight if necessary. No
walker or cane can compare to the safety of this
System.”
Nicole Prieto-Lewis, Director of the Gait and Balance
Laboratory, Gainesville VA, Gainesville FL
Many clients
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At
Second Step, Inc. we specialize in helping people walk and stand again. Our
product line includes:
second
step gait harness system, gait harness system, adult harnesses, Gait Harness
System II , pediatric harnesses
