Man Walking Again With Help From Therapy At United Helpers

OGDENSBURG – In just three weeks Reginald “Reggie” Emerson, of Potsdam went from being partially paralyzed to being able to walk with the assistance of one other person.

Mr. Emerson, who suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage, said the incident happened in the middle of the night.

“I was sleeping and then I woke up and that was it,” he said, adding he was then airlifted to Burlington, where he spent five days in the hospital before being released and admitted to United Helpers RiverLedge Campus.

“I was paralyzed on my left side all the way down,” he said, motioning from his shoulder down to his leg.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant Amber Williams said she’s been impressed by the progress Reggie has made in just a short period of time.

“When Reggie first came to us it took two or three of us to stand him up, but we worked really hard with him and he has come a long way,” she said, noting that within a matter of weeks she could transfer him by herself. Now after three months of post hospital rehabilitation, Mr. Emerson can move on his own and has returned home.

Mr. Emerson said his therapy consisted of exercises that worked his hands, arms and legs, including walking with assistance to and from his room, a distance he estimated is “roughly 50 yards.”

Ms. Williams said Mr. Emerson has been a very motivated patient who has worked hard to be discharged and return home. “That helps a lot,” she said, explaining a patient’s willingness to work is one of the leading factors in whether or not therapy is ultimately successful.

After awaking with his injury, Mr. Emerson said he wasn’t sure what his future would hold, but following his stay at United Helpers, he was able to return home, though he continues to come to RiverLedge for outpatient therapy three days per week.

One of the people treating him now is Physical Therapy Assistant Joseph R. Longshore, who said Mr. Emerson, who is now using a walker, is continuing to make progress.

“Reggie is an excellent worker and I expect him to continue making progress,” Mr. Longshore said. “He is doing exercises at home, as well as here during PT.

Mr. Longshore said one of Mr. Emerson’s goals is to walk with a cane or no assistance at all, and Mr. Longshore said his therapy is being crafted with that goal in mind.

“One of his goals is to walk with a cane or even less assistant than that, so that’s why we’re working so much on his balance,” he said. He is doing extremely well and I think he is well on his way to meeting that goal.”

Mr. Emerson said he’s been pleased with his therapy both as a resident and out-patient client.

“This is a very good place,” he said. “They know what they’re doing and it shows.”

For more information on therapy services at United Helpers contact RiverLedge in Ogdensburg at (315) 393-0730, Maplewood in Canton at (315) 386-4541 or visit us online at www.unitedhelpers.org.