Madrid Man Credits Learning to Parachute Jump for Saving His Life

CANTON – The arrival of spring means we’re all spending more time outside and in some instances that involves climbing on ladders, using dangerous tools or even possibly using dangerous tools while climbing on ladders.

It was while trimming a tree when Craig Ballard, of Madrid took a fall that could have cost him his life. He said a limb from the tree he was cutting fell and inadvertently kicked the ladder out from under him.

“I went down while holding the chainsaw,” he said. “I was fortunate enough that I had my wits about me and enough to do what I needed to do to still be here.”

He attributes knowing what to do in that situation to something he learned while sport parachute jumping. 

“I was able to position my body and fall in a way that helped minimize the damage," he said. “I really think that helped save my life.”

Even though he was able to ditch the chainsaw, Mr. Ballard did not escape uninjured. He broke both of his legs, as well as his left arm. The accident led to a lengthy hospital stay prior to another long stay at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care, where he was admitted into the rehabilitation unit.

“They certainly know what they’re doing,” he said referring to the therapy staff at United Helpers in Canton. “They were able to take a pretty big problem and make it a little more manageable.”

Mr. Ballard, who spent almost 45 years as a member of the Madrid Volunteer Rescue Squad, and another 13 years as a volunteer firefighter in Madrid, said he is not used to being the one on the receiving end of assistance.

“I’m thankful for everyone who helped me out along the way. The first responders who came to the scene, the nurses and the doctors at the hospital, and the nurses and therapy staff here who have helped me get as close to where I would like to be as they could,” he said.

Mr. Ballard’s stay at United Helpers was 100 days, the most his insurance would cover. “While I do wish, I could have stayed a bit longer, I am certainly in a better spot now than I was when I got here.”

When Mr. Ballard arrived in Canton, he wasn’t going anywhere unless it was in his wheelchair. By the time he was discharged this past winter, Mr. Ballard was using a walker.

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton offers both short-term rehabilitation stays and long-term skilled nursing care. To learn more, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org or call (315) 386-4541.

Craig Ballard, of Madrid credit his time at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton for helping to get him back on track following a serious accident that occurred while he was trimming a tree. He is seen here working with Physical Therapist Assistant Chelsie Denner.

Home for the Holidays Thanks to United Helpers

CANTON – A stay at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care helped two local women regain the strength they needed to return home for the holidays and the start of the new year.

Elizabeth Ayer, of Massena Center spent 20 days at the facility for her short-term rehabilitation stay which followed surgery on a foot and ankle, which had previously been broken and repaired in 1975.

“It just got worn out,” Mrs. Ayer said, the hardware in foot and ankle was replaced during the procedure. 

Elizabeth Ayer

When Mrs. Ayer arrived at the facility she was in a wheel chair and unable to walk on her own. Now she is using a walker and looking forward to her cast coming off this month.

“My daughter said I’ll be in a walking boot, but it’s another step forward,” she said.

Mrs. Ayer said she’s appreciative of the support and help she received during her stay in Canton.

“If I ever have to go to physical therapy again, this is where I will be coming,” she said. “The staff were all so very positive and here to help, right from the cleaning ladies all the way to the top.”

Patricia Goolden, of Hannawa Falls came to United Helpers following a hospital stay for pneumonia. She also has congestive heart failure.

When it came time for her to be discharged from the hospital, Mrs. Goolden said her children were not comfortable with her going home alone.

“I couldn’t walk and my kids wouldn’t let me go home alone,” she said, noting when she arrived she could only ride the exercise bike for 5 minutes before becoming exhausted and having to stop.

Patricia Goolden with Physical Therapist Trent Worden

“I’m up to 15 minutes now.” “I’ve toned up my body quite a bit. I’ve even gotten to the point where I can walk without my walker. I’m supposed to use it, but sometimes I try to sneak around without it.” she said.

Mrs. Goolden said she owes United Helpers Director of Therapy Trent Worden a big thank you.

“Therapy was hard at first. He would come in and ask if I was ready, and I would say, ‘no,’ but by the end I was looking forward to it.  My stamina is better than it has been in years.”

If you feel like you could benefit from a short-term rehabilitation stay at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, please reach out to Admissions Coordinator Tanya Trotter at (315) 590-2040 or via email at tltrotter@unitedhelpers.org.

You may also visit www.unitedhelpers.org to learn more about this and the other services we offer.

City Man Comes Out Ahead After Battling Insurance Company To Cover Inpatient Therapy

OGDENSBURG – This past summer William O’Brien had knee replacement surgery for the second time and given his difficult recovery the first time, he knew he wanted to do things differently.

After receiving physical therapy from another provider following surgery on his right knee, he opted to come to United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care following the operation on his left.

“There are a lot of choices out there for therapy and I am really glad I came here,” Mr. O’Brien said. “I was blown away by their knowledge and attention to detail.” 

His therapy began with a six-day inpatient stay, something that Mr. O’Brien said he had to fight with his insurance company for. 

United Helpers Physical Therapist Brett Amo uses a goniometer (similar to
 a protractor) to help measure the flexion in William O’Brien’s knee. Mr.
O’Brien, who has been receiving therapy for just over a month said his progress
is well ahead of where it was at the same time following his last surgery.

“My insurance company didn’t want to approve an inpatient stay, but it’s worth fighting for,” he said. “If I would have gone home I would have had therapy three times per week as an outpatient, but with an inpatient stay you receive therapy two or three times per day and that is a game changer.”

Following his first procedure, Mr. O’Brien said he had swelling in his knee for eight weeks.

“Now, it’s almost gone,” he said. “I’m so much further along this time than I was last time at this stage.’

Part of the reason, Mr. O’Brien said is the attention to detail paid by the staff at United Helpers.

William O’Brien works on stretching out his left knee 

with United Helpers Physical Therapist Brett Amo. 

Mr. O’Brien, who has been receiving therapy for 

just over a month said his progress is well ahead of 

where it was at the same time following his last surgery.

“With other providers a leg press is a leg press. You just put your feet up and push,” he said. “At United Helpers they work with you to make sure your feet are positioned properly and the right distance apart. That’s made a major difference.”

While Mr. O’Brien said everyone he has dealt with at United Helpers has been great, he wanted to especially thank physical therapist assistants Breanna Clement and Adam Soller for their assistance to him during his inpatient stay.

Now that he is receiving outpatient therapy, Mr. O’Brien is meeting three times per week with Physical Therapist Brett Amo.

“When I heard Brett was at United Helpers, that’s when I decided I wanted to go there. His reputation really does precede him,” he said. “Donna and Joe (Physical Therapist Assistants Donna Donnelly and Joseph Longshore) have been great too.”

When asked if he would recommend United Helpers to others, Mr. O’Brien replied, “There’s not a question in my mind.” 

For more information regarding therapy services in Canton, please call (315) 386-4541 ext. 3217. For information regarding therapy services in Ogdensburg, please call (315) 393-0730 ext. 2156. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.