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.

Clarkson Partners with United Helpers Independent Senior Living for Fall Prevention Program

CANTON – Occupational Therapy students from Clarkson University have teamed up with United Helpers Independent Senior Living to introduce a fall prevention program.

According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of injuries amongst people 65 and older, with one in four reporting at least one fall each year.

The program began with a fall prevention presentation a few weeks ago and concluded last week when students returned to the building to perform a series of balance assessments with members interested in participating in the program.

Seven first-year students participated with approximately 10 members from the building taking part.

“For our students this is almost like a final exam for them,” said Brittany DiSalvo, who is a professor in the Occupational Therapy Department. “We’re finishing up our year with some hands-on learning.”

One of those students was Lauren Engel, of Charlotte, NC. 

Occupational therapy student Jordyn Whitton works
with Professor Brittany DiSalvo and United Helpers
 Independent Senior Living member Jane Daby. 

“This is our first time getting to work with people from the community,” she said. “Earlier in the spring we did a fall prevention program and this is kind of piggybacking off of that. I feel like we’re teaching them something, but they’re also teaching us too.”

“We’re hoping to come back in the fall with a new group of students,” Mrs. DiSalvo said. “There’s so much we could do and we’d like to explore other areas of functional performance for this group while focusing on keeping them safe, strong, and independent. We are looking to enhance this partnership and become more of a familiar face in the facility.”

While Mrs. DiSalvo said she’s not sure what next year’s students will do with the members, she did say she’s looking forward to working with the people at United Helpers Independent Senior Living again.

“Projects like this are great,” she said. “Working with individuals in the community provide the students with hands-on experiences, things that a textbook just cannot teach.”

Linda Buchanan, a long-time ISL member said she very much enjoyed having the students come in. She attended both their verbal presentation, as well as the hands-on session, where she completed each of the balance assessments.

“I was very impressed with their presentation. The students all did a great job. As we get a little bit older this is very important information to have,” she said.

Some of the assessments included reaching forward, both while sitting and standing, standing up from a seated position, standing with their eyes closed, picking an object up off of the floor, and stepping onto and off of a stool.

“The assessments completed in this experience serve as an indicator for assessing fall risk among this population. Our students can use the results and the information gathered today to address the individual’s deficits while overall focusing on keeping everyone safe,” Mrs. DiSalvo said.

Northern Lights Helps Galilee Woman Get Back on Her Feet

GALILEE – After spending more than a year of her life unable to walk and going back and forth between a recliner and a wheelchair, Sharon Nichols is thankful to once again be back on her feet.

The difficult stretch began with a broken hip in 2021 that was followed by knee replacement surgery this past spring.

Northern Lights Home Health Care Physical Therapist Natalie King has known Mrs. Nichols going back to the broken hip, which she suspects may have contributed to Mrs. Nichols’ knee problems.

Given the combination of her left hip and right knee, which was once “her good leg,” Mrs. King said as Mrs. Nichols’ knee would buckle due to bearing most of her weight following hip surgery, her good leg actually became “her bad leg.” 

Physical Therapist Natalie King walks with Sharon Nichols.

Mrs. Nichols was discharged home on May 21 following knee replacement surgery. Initially she was seeing Mrs. King three days per week. Those therapy appointments were eventually reduced down to twice a week, and as of Sept. 1 Mrs. Nichols is no longer in need of therapy.

When asked if she ever considered the possibility she may not walk again, she said she never considered that an option.

As soon as her physical therapy began, she knew it was time to get to work.

“I do my home exercises all the time and I’m not planning to stop,” she said, adding she would even do exercises in her husband’s truck while on the way to medical appointments.

As she was able to stand, Mrs. Nichols said she began walking with the use of a “platform-style” walker, eventually graduating to a traditional walker, which she now uses to move around her home.

“I was afraid of falling, but I knew I had to get over it, and I did,” she said, adding though that it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Northern Lights.

In fact, her husband, Alfred “Bud” Nichols has also received physical therapy at home through Northern Lights.

“My friend, Linda told us about Northern Lights, and I said, ‘We’ll get them too. We’ve both had nothing but a great experience. You couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said.

For more information on Northern Lights Home Health Care, please call (315) 714-3135 or visit www.mynorthernlights.org. Northern Lights offers skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and assistance from personal care aides.

Northern Lights is owned and operated through a partnership that includes United Helpers, Canton-Potsdam Hospital, and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center.

Regular Visitor to United Helpers in Ogdensburg Comes for In-patient Therapy Stay

OGDENSBURG - After visiting United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care regularly to deliver communion to residents, Sister Bernadette Collins recently spent just over two weeks there for an inpatient therapy stay.

As part of her mission work with the Diocese of Ogdensburg, Sister Bernadette has been visiting the facility on a weekly basis for more than three years.

Sister Bernadette Collins works with Chelsie Brenno, PTA.

“I knew the place and I had heard great things about the therapy here,” she said, adding she knew she wanted to do an inpatient stay following knee replacement surgery on her right leg.

The surgery took place on Dec. 30 and on Jan. 1 she checked into United Helpers. On Jan. 17 she was discharged back home. 

“I knew I wanted to do inpatient therapy because it would help me get better faster and I knew this was the place I wanted to do it,” Sister Bernadette said. “I’m glad I was able to get my therapy here, where I wanted.”

During her stay at United Helpers, Sister Bernadette said she’s received therapy twice a day, six days a week, with roughly 90 minutes of physical therapy and 30 minutes of occupational therapy each day.

While she says she’s happy with her progress, she said the road to recovery hasn’t been easy.

“The first week I was here, I said never again, but now looking back on it, I say, ‘if I have to do it again, it’s not so bad,’” she joked.

Physical Therapist Megan Morrison and Physical Therapist Assistant Chelsie Brenno worked with her during her stay, and Sister Bernadette said they were both great, as were the nurses, occupational therapy staff and everyone else she came into contact with during her stay.

“My therapists have been great. Megan is very good and so is Chelsie. The nurses have been great, and the food isn’t bad either,” she said.

Sister Bernadette said she can now walk short distances with a cane, while using a walker for longer distances. It is her goal to again walk unassisted, and Ms. Brenno said that should be achievable.

“She’s doing great and I try to remind her of that every day,” she said.

As Sister Bernadette continues working towards her goal, she will continue receiving physical therapy at United Helpers on an outpatient basis three times per week.

Thanks in part to the work she’s already put in with inpatient therapy, Ms. Morrison said Sister Bernadette now finds herself ahead of the game.

“Her range of motion is already ahead of where most people are when they start outpatient therapy,” Ms. Morrison said.

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

M-W's Plumley Eyes Return to the Court With Help from United Helpers

OGDENSBURG – Coming off the best season of her young athletic career, Madrid-Waddington’s Emma Plumley was looking forward to using the AAU season to continue strengthening her game in preparation for her junior season with her eyes also set on taking the court at the next level.

Ms. Plumley’s sophomore season included a sectional title, first-team All-NAC, and Second-Team Watertown Daily Times All-Northern honors. 

Physical Therapist Brett Amo works on a drill with Emma Plumley.

Heading into the 2019-2020 season Ms. Plumley, a guard on the school’s basketball team, knew she would again be an important piece to the Yellow Jackets success, as the team’s only returning starter. However, the start of her junior season was pushed back when she tore her right ACL while “crossing-up” a defender during an AAU game last April.

“I felt my knee cap move and I thought I had dislocated my knee,” she said. “They carried me to the bench and then they carried me to the car, so I really hadn’t put any weight on it until I got home. When I got home and tried to walk to the house I experienced what was probably the worst pain I’ve ever felt,” she said.

Ms. Plumley then had surgery in Boston with former New England Patriots team physician Dr. Thomas Gill performing her operation. However, prior to her surgery, she came to United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg for “prehab.”

“Those two months were focused on getting my leg stronger and improving my range of motion in preparation for surgery,” Ms. Plumley said, noting that prehab consisted of a lot of stretching and simple exercises that would help strengthen her leg without exacerbating her injury.

Two weeks after surgery and already off her crutches, Ms. Plumley returned to United Helpers to begin working towards the resumption of her athletic career.

“I knew I was going to come back, but I was super upset at the news (diagnosis of a torn ACL) and did briefly think what if I can’t play anymore,” she said. “But I only questioned myself for a little while and then got to work.”

Physical Therapist Brett Amo watches as Emma Plumley runs on a treadmill.

 Her therapy consisted of strength and flexibility training three times per week with Physical Therapist Brett Amo, who also worked with her prior to the surgery.

“Therapy was very challenging, but in a good way. It’s hard work, but I like to be pushed and Brett does a great job,” she said. “I’m actually probably in the best shape of my life.”

As she wrapped up what would be her final physical therapy appointment, Ms. Plumley said that her doctors have cleared her to return to action on Jan. 1, about a month-and-a-half after the season begins.

“After this, I want it more than ever,” she said. “I can’t wait to get back on the court.”

Adding to the excitement is the fact that Emma’s younger sister, Grace will also be joining the varsity team this year.

“I’m so excited because basketball is the one sport I really love (she also plays soccer) and I want to play in college,” she said. “I’m going to be a little nervous, especially the first time I do a crossover, but I am glad to be back.”

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

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.

Woman Returns to United Helpers for Physical Therapy

CANTON – When Roxann Koch’s husband David was receiving skilled nursing care he lived at what was then known as Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton.

“The care my husband received was great,” she said. “All of the staff were very nice to him and very understanding.” 

Physical Therapist Assistant Jena Cryderman w/ Roxann Koch

​So when the time came for Mrs. Koch to decide where she would like to spend a brief inpatient stay after knee-replacement surgery, the choice was a simple one.

Three days after her surgery she was discharged to United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Canton.

“I spent ten days here and everything was very good,” she said. “I received my pain medication when I asked for it and all of my needs were taken care of by the staff. I was very pleased.”

When Mrs. Koch first came to United Helpers following her surgery, she was using a walker all of the time. However, after a ten-day stay, she was able to switch to using a cane, at least most of the time.

“I still do sometimes use my walker in the house, but when I go get the newspaper I use my cane,” she said, explaining that to get the paper, she must walk down her driveway, across the street and back.

Physical Therapist Assistant
Jena Cryderman w/ Roxann Koch

Physical therapy now consists of outpatient appointments three times a week, and if all goes well, Mrs. Koch said she is hoping to once again walk without the assistance of a cane or walker, although for her own peace of mind, she said she is not planning to get rid of her cane.

“I will always have my cane, just for the comfort of knowing it’s there if I need it,” she said.

Physical Therapist Assistant Jena Cryderman, who has been working with Mrs. Koch, said walking without a cane is a good goal to have. 

“That’s certainly reasonable and a goal we’re working towards,” Ms. Cryderman said.

When asked if she would recommend United Helpers to others, Mrs. Koch said it did not matter what the service was, whether it be skilled nursing, inpatient therapy services or outpatient therapy services, she would, and she has recommended United Helpers to “anyone and everyone.”

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

Lisbon Senior Looking Forward to Returning To Work Following Rehab at United Helpers

OGDENSBURG – This past winter when Roger Shoen slipped on some ice and broke his leg, he was not worried about whether or not he would walk again, rather Mr. Shoen said his main concern was whether he would be able to return to work.

Mr. Shoen said he was in the middle of his route delivering prescription medication for a local pharmacy when he fell on the ice outside Belmont Courts in Ogdensburg. Luckily, he had his grandson with him. 

Physical Therapist Brett Amo looks on as Roger Shoen exercises 

“I yelled for help and my grandson came to pick me back up. A woman who lives in one of the apartments came to her door too and asked if I wanted her to call the rescue squad, but I told her no. ‘I said this ice is too cold, I’m not going to lay here and wait for an ambulance,”’ he recalled.

With the help of his grandson, Mr. Shoen said he was able to make his way back to his vehicle. He then finished his shift before going to the hospital.

“I got back to the van and thought, this doesn’t feel too bad, I might as well finish my shift,” Mr. Shoen said, explaining he drove from house to house, sending his grandson to the door with each person’s medication. “I worked for two hours before going to the hospital.”

Once at the hospital though, Mr. Shoen said his suspicions were confirmed, “I knew I broke my leg because I heard it snap,” he said. Following surgery and his release from the hospital, Mr. Shoen spent the next five weeks at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg.

“Nobody can say anything bad about this place,” he said. “The nursing care and therapy I received were perfect. I would recommend them to anyone for a long-term or short-term stay.”

Mr. Shoen’s stay included both occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Occupational Therapist Alycia Dezell said that when Mr. Shoen first arrived at RiverLedge she helped him regain the strength needed to bathe and get dressed on his own. Noting that he enjoys cooking, Ms. Dezell said they also spent a lot of time working in the kitchen located in the therapy suite.

Following his discharge, she continued seeing him on an outpatient basis. “When he started doing outpatient therapy, he was still using adaptive equipment (occupational therapy tools designed to assist with everyday tasks, such as putting on socks), but he wanted to stop using those,” she said. “Now he’s back to doing everything on his own.”

“The fact that I was able to continue seeing the same therapist after being discharged was great,” he said.

Physical Therapist Brett Amo also worked with Mr. Shoen, noting when your outpatient and inpatient therapy are in the same place, recovery can be just a bit easier.

“He was already set up for outpatient before he even went home. It was a seamless transition, and that’s not something everybody can offer,” Mr. Amo said.

Mr. Shoen has also expressed an interest in continuing to exercise at RiverLedge, even following the conclusion of his therapy.

“I thought that was something I would have to pay for, turns out I don’t. That’s one of the benefits they extend to their patients,” he said.

As for Mr. Shoen’s work plans, he said he has returned to his delivery route on a substitute basis and is planning to drive taxicabs a few days per week.

“It’s not like I’m starving or anything, but I like to keep busy. To me, work is my hobby and United Helpers has helped me get to a place where I can continue doing what I love,” he said.

For more information on therapy services at RiverLedge in Ogdensburg, contact (315) 393-0730. For information on therapy services at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton, contact (315) 386-4541. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

Stroke Recovery Support Groups in Canton & Ogdensburg

Second Thursday of each month

CANTON – United Helpers will be hosting a stroke recovery support group at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton at 6 p.m. The group is free for all stroke patients and/or their caregivers. Topics will vary from month to month and some meetings will include a guest speaker. The group is led by Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist Stacie Jessmer. For more information, please contact Mrs. Jessmer at smjessmer@unitedhelpers.org or (315) 386-4541 ext. 3341.

Third Tuesday of each month

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers will be hosting a stroke recovery support group at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg at 6 p.m. The group is free for all stroke patients and/or their caregivers. Topics will vary from month to month and some meetings will include a guest speaker. The group is led by Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist Alycia Dezell. For more information, please contact Ms. Dezell at amdezell@unitedhelpers.org or (315) 393-0730 ext. 2432.

Pinkerton Wraps Up Rehab, Resumes Baseball Career

OGDENSBURG – After just over three months of physical therapy at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg, Seth Pinkerton has returned to Fort Meyers, Florida to prepare for spring training with the Minnesota Twins organization.

Seth Pinkerton

Mr. Pinkerton was drafted by the Twins in the 2018 Major League Baseball Amateur draft, beginning his career last spring. However, his first season of professional ball came to an abrupt halt when he suffered a serious injury while fielding a ball hit back to him. 

“I ended up with a grade two MCL and LCL sprain, as well as a complete tear of both my medial and lateral menisci and a complete tear of my ACL,” he said, noting his injury was so severe that Dr. James Andrews “had to go fishing” in order to find his meniscus while trying to repair his leg.

Prior to departing for Florida, Mr. Pinkerton agreed to discuss his rehabilitation and experience at RiverLedge.

“When I first came in I had two crutches. Then I was using one crutch and eventually a cane. Now I’m able to walk and even run on my own,” he said.

The focus on rehabilitating his leg though did take a toll on his preparations for the season, but Mr. Pinkerton said he’s confident that when the season starts he’ll be ready to go.

“I’m not 100% pitching-wise, there’s still two months left on the time frame I was given for that, but I am ready to get down there and resume my baseball career,” he said.

United Helpers Physical Therapist Brett Amo has been working with Mr. Pinkerton and the two have developed a relationship that has helped make his recovery easier than it could have been.

“Brett and I are both competitive and he has really pushed me the extra little bit that has helped my therapy be so successful,” he said. Also adding to the mix is Seth’s sister, Kelsey, who is also recovering from a torn ACL and doing physical therapy with Mr. Amo.

 “We’re all pretty competitive, so we’ve been pushing each other too,” he said. “The whole process has been great and Brett has helped me, both physically and mentally. It’s been encouraging to see my progress.”

Mr. Amo said Mr. Pinkerton’s success is a result of his hard work and an eagerness to come back even stronger than he was before the injury.

“He has done extremely well,” Mr. Amo said. “He has consistently been ahead of where his doctors expected him to be. That’s a testament to his hard work and dedication.”

Prior to wrapping up his time at Riveredge, Mr. Pinkerton and Mr. Amo had a FaceTime conversation with Dr. Andrews where they discussed Mr. Pinkerton’s therapy and his path to recover.

“He has been very pleased with my progress and everything Brett has done,” Mr. Pinkerton said.

Dr. Andrews is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon, who is best known for his work with Major League Baseball pitchers, including the likes of Mariano Rivera and Roger Clemens. He has also operated on other legends in the world of sports like Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus, and Peyton Manning among others.

Also pleased with Mr. Pinkerton’s therapy was the Minnesota Twins training staff and team doctor. Mr. Amo said he received a text message from Mr. Pinkerton following his initial meeting with the team’s medical staff.

“They said that everything looks great and they’re impressed with how much strength and size I’ve gained back in my leg since my surgery,” Mr. Pinkerton wrote.

For more information on therapy services at RiverLedge in Ogdensburg, contact (315) 393-0730. For more information on therapy services at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton, contact (315) 386-4541. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

Local Snowbird on the Road to Recovery, Eager to Head South

OGDENSBURG – Twelve years ago Leona Miller, of Ogdensburg, had knee replacement surgery on her left leg. The day after that operation she had a stroke, leaving her fearful that the time would come when she would need the same surgery on her right leg.

In 2018 that time came. However, this time around Mrs. Miller did 10 sessions of prehabilitation prior to her surgery which took place on Dec. 4.

“I came into the therapy not sure if I was going to have the surgery or not,” Mrs. Miller said, explaining that the weeks and months that followed her first knee surgery were some of the most difficult in her life. 

Leona Millers works with Physical Therapist Megan Morrison

“Pretty early on though, Megan (Physical Therapist Megan Morrison) and I determined that I was going to need that surgery,” she said.

Ms. Morrison said the purpose of prehab is to strengthen a limb or joint as much as possible prior to an operation, something which makes the recovery significantly easier.

“Our goal with those sessions was to make her stronger heading into the surgery,” Ms. Morrison said, to which Mrs. Miller replied, ‘It certainly helped.”

Following her discharge from the hospital, Mrs. Miller spent six days at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center for a short-term, in-patient therapy stay. RiverLedge is also where she had done her prehabilitation and is now receiving outpatient therapy.

“The fact that I can receive all of these services at the same place is great,” she said.

While many patients end up with an inpatient stay longer than six days, Ms. Morrison said that Mrs. Miller is working hard towards the goal of heading to Florida, where she and her husband spend their winters, as soon as possible.

Mrs. Miller said that as soon as she was discharged home, she began doing exercises at home, something that was not lost on Ms. Morrison.

“You can definitely tell when they do exercises at home,” she said. “It helps their progress and makes things go a lot easier when they’re here. She’s done everything right.”

Mrs. Miller is now walking short distances without a cane or walker and has her eyes set on walking longer distances unassisted and receiving clearance later this month from her doctor to head south.

“It’s coming along,” she said. “If you need therapy for anything, this is the place to come.”

For more information on therapy services at RiverLedge in Ogdensburg, contact (315) 393-0730. For information on therapy services at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton, contact (315) 386-4541. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

Man Regains Sight After Infection Causes Blindness

OGDENSBURG – Four months after being bitten by a stray cat, Keith Taylor, of Cadyville, woke up unable to see.

After spending 10 days in the hospital and two weeks at RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Ogdensburg, Mr. Taylor is now home with sight back in his right eye, optimistic that his vision will also return to his left eye at some point in the future.

“My doctor told me it’s going to take some time for my left eye to come back. It could take six months or a year, they’re not sure,” Mr. Taylor said. 

Mr. Taylor was capturing feral cats in Ogdensburg with his girlfriend, who lives here, when one of the animals bit him on the left hand. A sore that he described as “hard like a marble” developed on his finger, but Mr. Taylor did not seek any medical attention following the bite.

“The mistake we made was popping it,” he said, pointing to his finger where the bite occurred. Mr. Taylor said that doctors told him popping the sore led to an infection which over the next four months would spread through his body eventually reaching his eyes and causing blindness.

“Imagine waking up one morning and not being able to see,” Mr. Taylor said. “That’s pretty scary.”

Mr. Taylor then went to the hospital where he spent the next 10 days being treated for the infection, which had spread through most of his body. Most of that time too was spent in total darkness.

“On the fifth day I broke down and cried,” he said. “When they told me my vision might not come back that’s when it hit me.”

Occupational Therapist Alycia Dezell said that while Mr. Taylor wasn’t completely blind when he arrived at RiverLedge, he wasn’t anywhere close to where he was just two weeks later.

“He wasn’t completely blind, but he had significantly decreased vision, no sense of color, and even a little bit of light was causing him to have really bad headaches,” she said. “To see him in here right now not wearing sunglasses is amazing.”

Over the course of his two week stay, Ms. Dezell said she worked with him using a series of reaction timing, vision tracking exercises and even a punching bag. Also working with Mr. Taylor was Physical Therapy student Chelsea Martin.

“I’m sending him home with a pretty strict program and some exercises that his daughter can do with him,” Ms. Dezell said.

Mr. Taylor, who noted his daughter lives next door to him, said that while he’s glad to be going home, he’s not expecting his daughter to take it easy on him. “Going home is not going to be a break, but I’m just looking forward to everything getting back to normal,” he said.

“I have a two-year-old granddaughter and another grandchild on the way. I want to be able to watch them grow up,” he said. “My daughter is getting married next year and I want to be able to walk her down the aisle.”

Mr. Taylor, who said he ended up at RiverLedge, because he was unable to get into a similar facility in Clinton county, said he’s glad things worked out the way they did.

“This is a great place to come if you need therapy for anything,” he said. “They go above and beyond and they’re all really good people. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

For more information on therapy services at RiverLedge in Ogdensburg, contact (315) 393-0730. For information on therapy services at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton, contact (315) 386-4541. You may also like United Helpers on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

From left, Occupational Therapist Alycia Dezell, Keith Taylor, Occupational Therapist Brianna Baillargeon and Physical Therapy Student Chelsea Martin.