Tighten the Drag

When you look at the definition of the word ‘captain’ in the dictionary this is what you see:

cap-tain
1. One who commands, leads, or guides others
2. A figure in the forefront; a leader
3. The person in command of a ship

New CORE client, Capt. Robert Tramontana embodies this definition in many ways. As a tournament angler and owner of Gulf to Bay Sportfishing, he fished the Tampa Bay area from Tarpon Springs to Boca Grande for over 14 years and acted as charter captain and guide. However, during a boating trip with friends in August of 2012 Capt. Robert sustained a spinal cord injury after diving into murky water. After being in a medically induced coma for three weeks fighting an acute respiratory infection, he awoke ready to be the captain of his own recovery.

Yet, just like so many who are thrust into the world of spinal cord injury Capt. Robert and his family soon realized the costs associated with the injury can be astronomical. According to The University of Alabama National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first year after an injury can cost upwards of a million dollars with each subsequent year ranging from $40,000 to $170,000. This was not enough to stop Capt. Robert and his family. They decided to start a foundation.

The aptly named Tighten the Drag Foundation raises money to support others who have had a traumatic injury and need additional therapy. The Foundation also raises money to sponsor outings for injured participants to enjoy a fun and relaxing day on the water with a licensed boat captain for a dose of “salt therapy.” The name for the ‘Tighten the Drag Foundation’ references the term ‘Tighten the Drag’ that anglers use when bearing down to fight a big fish and to overcome the strength of the fish.

“You will need that same inner determination and willpower when you are fighting to get your body back to health,” states the Foundation website.

Capt. Robert, along with his mom, Sheila and their growing support network have held fishing and golf tournaments to raise funds and awareness. Capt. Robert is not only fighting for his own recovery, but is using his experience to guide others back from the brink of tragedy. This is the true definition of what being a “Captain” is and all of us at CORE are proud to be a part of his journey. Check him out in action in our gym:

To find out how you can support Captain Robert and the Tighten the Drag Foundation, visit www.tightenthedragfoundation.org or like their page at http://www.Facebook.com/TightentheDragFoundation. To learn more about CORE and activity based therapy for those with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders, visit www.coreflorida.com or call 321-418-3050.
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Spring Break??? Not for Kory!

It has been almost an entire year since Kory and the rest of the Wiita clan said goodbye to CORE and Florida so Kory could pursue his dream of attending Ohio State University. Of course, goodbye is never a permanent thing when you are a part of the CORE family and we were thrilled when Kory let us know he would be spending his entire Spring Break with us! Needless to say, this week has not been much of a “break” for our favorite Buckeye.

Even though Kory is extremely busy with his studies in Ohio he has remained committed to his recovery and attends physical therapy twice per week and works out with a friend who is in school to become a physical therapist. We were all happy to see how buff he’s gotten while away and it made it easy for us to jump right in with some tough workouts and pick right up where we left off with him.

Just like he does in class, Kory brought his A game to the gym and he had some major breakthroughs! He killed it on the new RT200 FES device and expressed how much he loved our new piece of equipment because of the cardio workout he gets when using it. We also noticed his wrists and hands sweating for the first time since his injury! For those who don’t know, a spinal cord injury typically prevents sweating below the level of injury so for Kory to sweat demonstrates a recovering nervous system. Yeah!

Rough, Tough and Buff!

Along with improved posture and a newfound ability to engage his back when sitting, he also felt new sensation during his Friday session. During his third set on the Hypergravity vibe plate while in the push up position, Kory said his normal nerve pain completely stopped and he was able to feel his calves and heels first and then from there the feeling spread to his glutes and then all the way up his back! This was also a big first for him since his injury.

In only a week Kory was able to get a lot done and we all know his recovery breakthroughs are going to continue because he was also just accepted in the Christopher Reeve NeuroRecovery Network program at Ohio State. In just a few weeks, Kory will attend sessions five days a week where he will receive intensive locomotor training.

In addition to his recovery program, he is also looking forward to graduating next Spring! He is even considering going to law school and his professors are encouraging him to apply for a few Ivy Leagues (Hellooo Harvard!) with a concentration on business law. What a little smarty pants!

The entire CORE team is incredibly proud of Kory and feel it is so great when we can be a part of someone achieving not only their goals in the gym, but their goals in life. It is always sad to say goodbye when our clients leave us, but it is amazing to see his successes and to know he is going out into this big, crazy world and making a positive difference.

Kory, we love you and we’ll always be here for you! See you this summer, right?????

For more information about the CORE program, please visit www.coreflorida.com or call 321-418-3050.

UCF Externship Week @ CORE

This week CORE had the pleasure of working with three young women from the University of Central Florida’s Spring Break Externship Program. The Externship Program is completely voluntary and gives students an opportunity to branch out and learn about different career fields before they enter the job market.

Natasha, Rachel and Victoria spent the first part of their week observing how CORE operates, meeting clients and learning about the CORE program. Then, came the fun stuff. All three externs were able to try out various pieces of our neurorecovery equipment, help the trainers with workout setups and provide assistance to the clients.

“I wasn’t even expecting to be able to get hands on training,” Rachel said. “I love the variety here. Each day we did something different and worked with different types of people with different injuries. I like how active we have been.”

Rachel trying out the RT600

In the short time they have been at CORE they have begun to understand what CORE is all about.

“I’ve noticed how close the trainers are to the clients,” said Natasha. “Anyone can be nice, but I’ve realized this is so much more. The trainers are so patient and truly care. Everyone here shares themselves with each other. I love hearing the stories. I go home and think, ‘Wow, they shared their lives with me today.’ I admire it.”

Learning all about CORE!

For more information on our Externship or Internship Opportunities, please contact paul@coreflorida.com or call 321-418-3050 or visit CORE’s website at www.coreflorida.com

The Magical RT200 Experience

Hi, all! Dana here with a new post sharing my experience with the latest, greatest FES addition to CORE… the RT200! Let me preface this by saying I am not the biggest FES fan out there. I only say this because even though I’m “paralyzed,” I don’t really ever sit still. Yet, to ride the traditional RT300 FES leg cycle you essentially have to sit still. For an hour. UGH. Luckily at CORE we have a flat screen with cable, a Wii system and awesome trainers with new, funny jokes every day.

Still, even without all of those little luxuries CORE clients are spoiled with I can’t argue with the known benefits of FES and I would put in my miles every week no matter what. For those of you who don’t know a lot about this technology, FES stands for Functional Electrical Stimulation. In the world of neurorecovery it is a critical component to any activity based exercise program. According to the CORE website, FES uses controlled pulses of electrical current to stimulate physical or bodily functions lost through nervous system impairment. FES is applied to peripheral nerves that activate and contract specific muscles or muscle groups to evoke purposeful, patterned movement. FES simulates the physical activity a person without a neurological disorder normally experiences during an average day. CORE Clients with a range of neurological conditions use functional electrical stimulation (FES), including vent dependent quadriplegics. Studies have shown multiple benefits, although they vary from user to user, such as:

•Reversal of Muscle Atrophy
•Increased Circulation
•Maintained or Increased Range of Motion
•Reduced Spasticity
•Reduced Incidence of UTI’s
•Reduced Risk of Pressure Sores
•Prevention of Osteoporosis
•Cardiovascular Health
•Weight Management

But, for me, the most important thing is they make my legs look better in skinny jeans. Haha With all of these benefits I cycle anywhere from 5-15 miles per week, but again, I have to sit still to do it. So, imagine my joy and excitement when I heard of this wondrous new version of FES equipment called the Magical RT200 (Ok, I added the Magical part…) that would allow me to cycle while simultaneously participating in an upper body cardio workout! AHHHHH!

The RT 200 was delivered this week and I was one of the lucky chosen ones to try it out first. The fine folks at Restorative Therapies joined the CORE Team to train them on the ins and outs of the new RT 200.

Take a look at the setup with Matt S. and how it works…

So, once you’re all padded up with the electrodes the motor kicks in and your legs move in a type of push/pull motion. After a two minute warmup the stim starts and you have the ability to crank up the action by working out your arms for a full body workout, similar to how one would on a regular elliptical in a gym. The trainers can up the resistance based on the client’s strength and abilities and before you know it this thing is kicking cardio butt! My heart rate went from resting at 72 to over 111 by the end of my twenty minute session! Needless to say, I was breathing hard! But, it felt SO GOOD!

All of the FES technologies, the RT 200, 300 and 600, have their benefits and uses. The important thing is that those who are seeking optimal neurorecovery and improved health incorporate some type of FES into their program. It has changed my life and could change yours, too. If you or someone you love could benefit from FES, please don’t hesitate to call us at CORE or visit http://www.coreflorida.com for more information.

SCI Recovery + Sunshine = CORE

The CORE Team recently welcomed Stewart ‘Stew’ B. (SCI C3-4) all the way from Ontario, Canada! Canada can be a little chilly this time of year and Stew and his wife Natalie were seeking a little dose of sunshine along with his recovery program! Stew is a client at Walk It Off SCI Recovery and Wellness Centre, which is owned and operated by Heather and Kevin Mills, who also just so happen to be our dear friends and former clients. Walk It Off is the first facility in Ontario and provides services to those with spinal cord injuries. They recently celebrated their one year anniversary and were featured on the OWN Network in Canada! We are so proud of them!

We are also incredibly proud of all of the hard work Stew has put in while here at CORE. In only three weeks, the CORE team has seen Stew’s gait and balance improve. We tackled these areas by using the Lite Gait Body Weight Support System, the RT 300 Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) bike and using some of Malerie MacGyver’s moves where she put Stew on the upside down BOSU ball to really challenge his balance. Stew’s wife Natalie has personally requested that he learn some dance moves, so in between core work and some upper body ergometer sessions we might try to squeeze in a line dance tutorial, because we all know how much Stew LOVES our southern country music, ya’ll! (NOTTTT!) Stew will be heading back to Canada and Walk It Off soon, but the CORE family will all be cheering him on and following his progress on his “Big Guy” Miracle Facebook page.

For more information on CORE’s activity based neurorecovery program, please visit www.coreflorida.com or call 321-418-3050.

Golfing “Fore” Dustin

This past Saturday the CORE Team was out in full force at client Dustin A.’s Golf Benefit in St. Cloud. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun and it was for a great cause.

Ready to Hit the Course

The Star Players… Ronnie is absent from this pic on purpose…

Melodie Showing Kait Some Pro Putter Moves

Putting Challenge? Not for Kait!

The Guys

Dustin’s Putting Challenge Girls

For more information about CORE check out our website at www.coreflorida.com or call 321-418-3050.

CORE Client Shows Art Has No Boundaries

It started as just another form of occupational therapy. Yet, mix in a splash of tenacity, a bit of patience and a load of talent and Melissa W., a C3-4 quadriplegic client at CORE, produces beautiful works of art. Most people paint because they love it or because it is a way for them to be creative and express themselves. While this is still all true for Melissa, she also takes a much more practical approach.

“I paint because it’s fun, but mostly because it is a beneficial way for me to build muscle strength and endurance,” she said with a grin.

Melissa’s first painting of a cupcake came with step by step directions that took her eight hours to complete. She uses a wrist brace on her left side and a tendonisis grip on her right hand to help her hold the paint brush. She also uses a tray in her lap to give her better access to the canvas. The feedback from friends and family has been overwhelmingly positive and suddenly Melissa has been besieged with requests for more paintings.

One such request came from CORE trainer, Paul R., but it came with strings attached.

“I only had one stipulation. I told her it could be of anything she wanted, but it had to be painted with her left hand,” said Paul.

This was a pretty hefty request considering Melissa’s left hand is also her non-dominate, less functional hand. Not one to shy away from the tough stuff, Melissa took his challenge and showed up for her CORE workout session with this beautiful masterpiece that took her four hours to complete:

“I love it. It is one of my most favorite gifts I’ve ever received because she had to put more thought and effort into it than the average store bought present. I am hanging it above my desk in the office so I can admire it and cherish it everyday,” said Paul.

Melissa finds inspiration from the quirky and funny things life throws her way. Or, she takes special requests! Melissa is currently working to raise money to purchase an Uppertone, which is a piece of therapy/exercise equipment to continue her quest to gain enough strength to push a manual chair.

If you would like a masterpiece for your office or home too, you can send your requests to Melissa via email at madhope1161@yahoo.com Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

And, as always, if you would like more information about CORE please visit our website or call 321-418-3050.