The Cord Winter 2022

M A G E E R E H A B I L I T A T I O N

Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley | NIDILRR-Designated

Winter | 2022

Meet Nicole Walsh

Three Years Post Injury: Persistence and Progress You can usually find Nicole Walsh lifting weights in the gym or at Magee Rehabilitation, where she works as a peer mentor coordinator. She loves to spend time with friends and go to the beach. She also has a passion for dancing, proving almost anything is possible despite having a spinal cord injury. Three years ago, Nicole couldn’t imagine such a vibrant and joyful life.

“I have fought through so much and I am very proud of how far I have come in that time,” Nicole shared.

Rebuilding Her Body and Her Life In August 2018, the car Nicole was driving was struck by an SUV and pushed into a tractor trailer. She was paralyzed from the chest down. The crash left her with a T2 incomplete spinal cord injury, six broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and lacerations to her head, face and hands. Doctors at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia performed two surgeries on her spine. When her health stabilized, she transferred to Magee for two months of inpatient rehabilitation.

Physical and occupational therapy sessions helped Nicole build her strength and learn how to live in her new body. She continued her recovery with outpatient rehab at Magee Riverfront.

PT sessions targeted her core and posture, strengthened her trunk and legs and stimulated the nerves in her lower body.

“I have gained a lot of core and trunk control throughout my hips. So much that I have been able to push my hips forward when standing,” Nicole said. “One of my goals is to eventually walk using full leg braces, so I am constantly working to get those muscles firing again.”

Nicole Walsh being playful at home in her wheelchair three years after a car accident that caused her paralysis.

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Inside the CORD 2 Patient Success Stories 7 Patient Education 9 Clinical Programs & Services News 12 Community News, Events & Activities 14 Research: Publications & Presentations 15 Support Groups The contents of this newsletter were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI502401-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

It is also supported in part by the Friends of Jerry Segal.

Patient Success Stories → continued from previous page

New Levels of Independence Recovering from a spinal cord injury is an arduous task. Nicole’s healing journey tested her physical strength, faith and emotional wellbeing, but she kept pushing day after day. Over time, she learned how to adapt to life using a wheelchair. Her persistence led to more progress and reaching new levels of independence.

“I am very proud of getting my driver’s license. I got into my pool to practice swimming last summer,” Nicole said. “I am pushing myself to try new experiences. I traveled to California by myself last year and that was a big accomplishment.”

Nicole is part of the staff at Magee now, where she matches newlyinjured patients with mentors. She aspired to be a personal trainer before her spinal cord injury and she recently started to pursue that dream again.

She regularly posts photos and video clips of her workouts on social media to show the world of the inclusivity and possibilities with fitness.

“I got a second chance at life in surviving that accident,” Nicole said.

“I’ve encountered a lot of physical and emotional challenges since then and some days are still difficult, but my goal each day is to get stronger than the day before. I am going to keep fighting no matter what.”

Nicole Walsh on the electric stim bike during a physical therapy session while she underwent inpatient care.

Meet Kevin Barnes

Man Finds Hope and Gratitude while Recovering from Rare Autoimmune Condition Neurosarcoidosis is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the nervous system. It can appear in an acute and sudden manner or as a slow chronic illness, so often a diagnosis can be difficult. Kevin Barnes knows that all too well now. He battled a number of mysterious and debilitating symptoms for about a year before he finally got some answers and a plan for recovery.

“I Didn’t Think Anyone Could Help Me.” Kevin was on the job laying concrete in Scranton, PA in the fall of 2020 when he started to notice his balance was off.

The nature of the job required intense manual labor and the ability to maneuver construction materials and equipment. It got to the point where he was unable to continue working.

“I couldn’t walk a straight line,” recalled Kevin. “I couldn’t stand still for a few seconds without falling over.”

Kevin Barnes displays breakfast he made in the therapy kitchen during a session with his occupational therapist, Deana Miller.

Kevin’s vision started to deteriorate, so much so, that he needed a new

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prescription for glasses two months after his annual eye exam. Kevin’s family started to notice his speech was slurred. He was also extremely thirsty, drinking gallons of water a day. His health continued to decline and he sank into a depression.

“I was losing hope. I had seen so many doctors and specialists who could not find anything wrong with me. I isolated myself. I didn’t think anyone could help me,” he shared. “My 10 year-old son told his mother ‘there is something wrong with dad’ and that’s what ultimately lit a fire within me,” he added.

Finally a Diagnosis and Path to Recovery Desperate for answers and effective treatment, Kevin’s brother drove him from Scranton to the emergency department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Doctors ran countless tests for more than two weeks until they finally pinpointed the cause: neurosarcoidosis.

Kevin works on his stride and balance as he walks down a hallway in the Vector body-weight support system.

He is being guided by his physical therapist, Jeffrey Trexler and physical therapy intern, Amber Stratz.

The diagnosis allowed doctors to get Kevin’s health stabilized and then formulate a treatment plan.

and walkers. Eventually we found one that worked best for Kevin and helped him achieve more independence.”

Kevin transferred to Magee on September 17, 2021 because of its specialized program to treat traumatic brain injury and illness.

There, he worked hard receiving three hours of physical, occupational and speech therapies daily to address the symptoms that had plagued him for so long.

When Kevin was cleared by his medical team for the next phase in his PT, they used the Vector body-weight support system that allowed Kevin to work on his balance, gait and walking pattern.

“Our first goal was to decrease his risk of falling,” explained Jeffrey Trexler, PT, DPT, Magee senior physical therapist.

“Neurosarcoidosis had impacted his right leg more than the left. In order to get him back on his feet and walking safely, we trialed different leg braces

Magee’s Vision Clinic provided Kevin with proper glasses to correct the double vision caused by neurosarcoidosis. Speech therapy sessions with Lauren Monti, MS, CCC-SLP/L, a Magee Speech Language Pathologist, helped Kevin overcome the slurred speech and related issues, while occupational therapy helped Kevin regain the ability to care for himself with ease.

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“He exceeded our expectations with how quickly he responded to treatment,” said Deana Miller, MS, OTR/L, Magee occupational therapist.

A Life Back on Track Kevin was tearful when he thought about how far he had come in a matter of six weeks from the time he was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis to being discharged from Magee. He said his biggest motivation was returning home to his kids and making them proud. Kevin credits his experienced and supportive care team with helping him get his life back on track.

“He’s the one who put in all the work,” Deana said. “We just helped him along the way.”

Patient Success Stories Meet Crystal Safford

New Start at Life Following Double Transplant There were only two more days until Crystal Safford was going home and she couldn’t contain her excitement. As she made her way to the therapy gym with the assistance of a rollator walker, she turned to her physical therapist, Sarah McMahon, PT, DPT, and smiled. “I feel really good today,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else for rehab.”

Waiting and Praying Crystal experienced three episodes of ventricular tachycardia (also known as v-tach) on April 27, 2021. V-tach is a type of arrhythmia that occurs when the lower chamber of the heart beats too fast. Doctors at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital informed Crystal that her health was failing. She couldn’t go home until she got a new heart and a new kidney, but even that didn’t look promising. Due to a number of criteria, there was only a two percent chance of finding a donor match.

The odds were stacked against the 58 year-old Philadelphia woman, but she clung to her faith and remained optimistic. Crystal was bedridden at the hospital for 69 days just waiting and

praying. Then, in late August 2021, there was a match. Miraculously it was a new heart and a new kidney from the same donor. When Crystal’s health stabilized following the transplant surgery, she transferred to Magee for the next stage in her healing journey.

“I Hadn’t Stood Up in Months.”

“Crystal didn’t have the energy to perform even the most basic tasks,” explained Natalie Collins, MS, OTR/L, Magee occupational therapist. “She couldn’t even sit up on her own.”

Crystal’s body had been through a lot.

She was extremely weak from the progressive heart disease and then further weakened by lying in bed for more than two months. Her immune system was also very fragile. It required a lot of medication and monitoring in order for her body to have the best chance at accepting the donor organs.

Crystal’s care team at Magee developed an individualized rehabilitation plan to help her get back to living her best life.

“I hadn’t stood up for months and my legs were like cooked spaghetti,”

Crystal said jokingly. “I wondered how I was going to manage three hours of therapy a day.”

And she did—always with a smile and sense of humor. During daily occupational therapy sessions, Natalie helped Crystal get strong enough so she could do things such as getting in and out of bed unassisted, brush her teeth, shower and dress herself. Over time, with Natalie’s support, Crystal was able to do laundry and even cook in the kitchen. Meanwhile, she worked with her two physical therapists, Sarah McMahon, PT, DPT, and Caitlin Corbin, PT, DPT, NCS, to build her overall strength and mobility. Their sessions focused on the mechanics of sitting to standing, walking, and going up and down stairs. Crystal also enjoyed recreational, art and dance/movement therapies, which are part of Magee’s holistic approach to rehabilitation.

“It’s a humbling experience when you have to depend on others to take care of you in that state,” Crystal shared. “I knew this was part of the process to becoming healthy and independent.”

Positivity and Progress The last few days of physical and occupational therapy were aimed at measuring Crystal’s progress. She was tasked with several simple movements, balance and walking exercises that she had performed at the very beginning of her stay. The evidence of her recovery was in the numbers. Crystal completed each exercise much faster and with more repetitions and strength.

“Crystal had a positive attitude since day one,” said Sarah. “Even if she was having a tough physical therapy session, she always looked for a silver lining.”

Six months after she was rushed to the hospital for a heart attack, Crystal headed home with a new heart, new kidney and a new thirst for life. She Crystal Safford practices walking up and down the stairs under the guidance of her PT, Sarah McMahon.

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couldn’t wait to once again enjoy the comforts of her own home and spend quality time with her mother, and adult son and daughter, whose weekly visits helped keep her spirits high. Although faith always played an important role in her life, this experience reminded her to live each day with gratitude.

“This is a special place,” said Crystal, as she looked at the city skyline from Magee’s sixth floor rooftop. “The people are so kind, my therapists have been wonderful and I feel great.”

Meet Adam Taliaferro

A Life Devoted to Helping Others Overcome Adversity When people hear the name “Adam Taliaferro,” they still think back to an ill-fated football game more than two decades ago, in which the Penn State cornerback was paralyzed while making a tackle. More importantly, many remember his miraculous recovery.

approached his recovery with laser focus and relentless dedication. Nearly one year later, he stunned 110,000 Penn State football fans when he donned his football jersey and led the team out onto the field at Beaver Stadium for the season opener.

Adam was taken off the field in a stretcher. Doctors didn’t think he would walk again. Adam underwent intensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation at Magee. Always a fierce athlete, Adam

That feat paved the way for a life dedicated to helping others to overcome adversity. We caught up with Adam to talk about his 20+ year journey following his spinal cord injury.

Q: Why do you think leading the football team back on to the field one year later is still impactful for people?

Adam Taliaferro surprises a packed Beaver Stadium when he walked on to the field one year after he was paralyzed in a football game.

That moment was what I call a “culmination of positivity.” A lot of people saw me get injured with their own eyes as they were sitting in the stands or watching TV. The prognosis was very bleak. In the days and

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months that followed, a lot of people prayed for me. They sent me cards and messages. When I came back a year later, it was important for me to show everyone I was going to be okay and to thank them for all of the support. It also provided me with some closure on that chapter of my life.

Q: What was the point that you realized your life was going to be different than what you had imagined?

When I first got to Magee and I looked around, I saw all of the patients fighting to recover from their injuries and illnesses. That’s when I started to accept the impact this was going to have on my life. My dream was to play professional football and that was no longer a reality.

My biggest goal during my recovery at Magee was being able to walk out of that tunnel at Beaver Stadium. After that day, it was time to focus on what to do next. I sat down with an academic advisor to help me focus my interests and options. After hours of conversations with my parents, I decided I wanted to go into law. The next three to four years were all about academics and preparing for law school.

Patient Success Stories Q: Over the years you have mentored many individuals with spinal cord injuries. What kind of advice do you give others facing that same realization?

Everybody responds differently. Some people it may take a month. It may take two months. It may take a year for someone to realize how different their life is going to be. I always say we’re part of a special fraternity.

None of us want to be in it, but we’re all here to support one another.

Everyone recovers physically and mentally within their own timeframe.

I tell people the definition of success is not walking. The definition of success is getting better than where you were when you first got the injury.

That’s the most important thing.

Q: What is life like for you today?

I’m just so thankful. I have two kids now.

I’m married and I have a job I truly enjoy where I serve as the Director of Strategic Alliances for Bristol Myers Squibb. I look at my kids running around, one of things I can’t do, and it brings a smile to my face. They’re our legacy. Making sure

they’re happy and taken care of is my most important job these days.

We have a nonprofit foundation where we partner with Magee to help newly injured patients and provide them with hope and assistance with their lives, both emotionally and financially. My high school football coach originally started The Adam Taliaferro Foundation 21 years ago to help with financial support because initially it was believed I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life. Thankfully I didn’t need all those funds that were raised. I realized a lot of people aren’t as fortunate.

Our foundation provides funding to individuals who have spinal cord or any other catastrophic injury to help them with their needs that insurance may not cover. A main objective of the foundation is to provide resources and support to help patients get back to living their lives. Financial is a huge component, but there is also the emotional side. My biggest role is to be there to talk to the patients and their families, sharing my story and helping them come up with ways to

Adam Taliaferro during a visit with his mom and brother while undergoing inpatient rehab at Magee.

get through this challenging time. My parents talk to their parents. It’s a way to give back, because I was given so much.

Q: What do you hope your children learn from what you’ve gone through?

The ability to overcome adversity, but you can’t do it all on your own sometimes. It’s okay to ask Mom and Dad and other people for help. That’s what we are all here for. If you’re able to do that you can get through tough times in life. It wasn’t until after my injury that I realized that you may need to lean on people to get through life. I have two great parents and a brother who were always there to help me.

Q: How has your recovery experience helped you conquer other challenges in your life?

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think back to my injury and the lessons that I learned through it. It’s helped me be the person that I am today. It helps us realize that inner drive that none of us knew that we had prior to going through this. Life’s adversities are not meant to paralyze you; they’re there to help you understand who you are. In my case, it literally paralyzed me, but it helped me better understand who I was and prepared me for life.

Adam Taliaferro visits Magee often to provide support and mentor patients who are newly-injured and recovering from a spinal cord injury.

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Patient Education Meet Amanda Lyons

Listening to Your Body During the Rehab Process

Amanda Lyons and physical therapist, Andrew Stamatelos, prepare for a therapy session using the stim bike at Magee’s Riverfront outpatient facility.

“I Pushed Myself Too Hard.”

heard gunshots. Amanda tried to take cover, but within seconds realized she could no longer feel below her waist.

The bullet had severed her spinal cord. It also meant the life that she had known was no longer going to be the same.

Among her friends, family, coworkers and students, Amanda Lyons is known for her thirst for life, big smile and determination. She loves teaching students at Thomas Jefferson University where she serves as an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy. She’s always led an active and social lifestyle. Her innate drive has helped Amanda make many strides in her recovery less than a year since her spinal cord injury. However, that drive also caused Amanda to suffer a setback early on and she hopes other newly injured individuals can learn from her experience.

“It’s a physical and mental challenge that I am still navigating,” said Amanda.

Learning to Live in Her New Body Doctors at an acute care hospital performed surgery to fuse her spine. Amanda came to Magee for six weeks of inpatient physical rehabilitation for the next phase in her healing journey.

The weight of the ordeal was emotionally crushing. Amanda coped by funneling that energy into her daily physical and occupational therapy sessions, which helped build her strength in her trunk and upper body and maximize her mobility.

Learning how to live in her new body meant she now relied on her trunk, shoulders, arms and hands to do much more work than ever before and in ways they were not naturally intended.

“My goal is to get back to living the same life I was living before,” Amanda shared. “But I literally and figuratively pushed myself too hard.”

In May 2021, a stray bullet robbed Amanda of the use of her legs. The 35 year-old Philadelphia woman had been hanging out with friends after a recreational kickball game when they

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Patient Education and fingers were already weakened prior to rehab, as that would have predisposed a patient to having develop a hand injury so quickly.

“I wish I had been more mindful in the beginning of the rehab process,” said Amanda. “When I was an inpatient, I kept asking to increase the weights we were using. We went on a community outing to City Hall one day and I pushed my wheelchair the entire time. I kept telling myself ‘one more block,’ as if I was trying to prove something to myself.”

Amanda was frustrated with the setback, but grateful that it was something that could be corrected with surgery.

“It shook my confidence for a little while. It felt like I had ten steps forward in my recovery and then I couldn’t even transfer myself in and out of my wheelchair,” she said.

“I would suggest to anyone who is newly injured to make sure you communicate with your care team about everything you are experiencing. Also consider using wheelchair gloves or other methods to protect your hands and their positioning,” Amanda added.

Amanda Lyons with her outpatient rehab care team at Magee Riverfront.

“I started to notice my hands were falling asleep at night,” recalled Amanda. “I thought it was the way I was holding the iPhone as I laid in my hospital bed. It slowly got worse but I just disregarded it and didn’t mention it to anyone.”

Motivated About Possibilities

Amanda continued to press on. The inpatient rehabilitation treatment plan routinely included specific exercises to protect shoulder joint integrity, promote arm strength, and minimize shoulder pain. Power assist and power mobility options are even available for patients to trial if they expect to regularly propel their wheelchair over long distances or uneven terrain. Amanda’s inpatient care team viewed her as making great progress. Amanda’s conditioned body was primed for the daily PT and OT sessions and she was admired for her optimism and determination in the wake of such a traumatic situation.

Amanda underwent outpatient surgery on both of her hands, which meant she couldn’t use them for several weeks while they healed. Amanda has since continued with outpatient rehab at Magee working with custom orthotic braces on both legs. She is as motivated and determined as ever, but acutely aware of how quickly an injury can occur if she is not careful.

“I hope to eventually be able to stand by myself and maybe even walk again using a walker or crutches,” she shared.

Too Painful to Ignore When she transitioned to Magee Riverfront’s intensive outpatient Day Rehab Program, the pain in her hands began to significantly impede her progress. Now made aware of the issues with Amanda’s hands, her outpatient care team pivoted with her rehab plan and implemented more specific pain management strategies.

“We used paraffin wax treatments to apply heat on the joints in the fingers and hands,” explained Cate Furman, MS, OTR/L, senior occupational therapist. “I also applied heat to her shoulders, because that’s where tissues and joints are most mobile and massaged the areas of muscle tension.”

How Much is Too Much?

Amanda’s care team decided that physical and occupational therapy sessions were not to involve the use of her arms and hands for the remaining few weeks in the Day Rehab program.

She met with an orthopedic surgeon, specializing in the upper extremity, who diagnosed her with having trigger fingers and carpel tunnel in both hands. Amanda wasn’t sure if her wrists

Amanda undergoes electric stimulation in her legs during an outpatient rehab session with physical therapist, Andrew Stamaletos, and physical therapy aide Faye Yan.

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Clinical Programs & Services News Intensive Outpatient Program Propels Patients to New Levels of Independence Transitioning from inpatient care to life at home can sometimes be challenging for individuals following a traumatic injury or illness. They no longer need the medical and nursing supervision provided 24/7 in a hospital, but would greatly benefit by continuing with rigorous rehabilitation. Magee’s Day Rehab Program is an intensive five-daya-week outpatient service with a supportive team of providers to help patients get accustomed to everyday life and work towards self-sufficiency.

Holistic Approach Day Rehab is holistic in nature and designed for patients recovering from brain injury, stroke or spinal cord injury. It provides one-on-one physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions, therapeutic group activities, mental health support in group and individual sessions, and community outings, like visiting a local museum or park.

Colleen McAllister, Magee recreational therapist, and former patient, Jaden Leiby, play a video game during a rec therapy session.

Physical and Emotional Healing

“Day Rehab kept the momentum of the progress I made during inpatient rehab,” said Jaden Leiby, a former Magee patient who attended Day Rehab in early 2019. “It definitely helped me grow as a person and achieve goals.”

Day Rehab’s holistic approach also includes opportunities to take part in music, art, horticultural and recreational therapies. This helps to meet patients’ physical and emotional needs as they progress on their own healing journeys.

Overcoming New Challenges

“Even if my mood was low or I was in intense pain, Day Rehab helped me stay driven and get stronger,” said Amanda Lyons, a former Day Rehab patient recovering from a spinal cord injury. “Participating in art therapy and recreational therapy really helped me mentally, because those are things that I enjoy doing and they helped me disconnect from the leg pain I was experiencing.”

Venturing out as a group with support from rehab professionals allows patients to gain experience and confidence navigating daily life outside the home and hospital. This may include learning how to access the community in a wheelchair and gain time management skills needed to catch a train.

“The patients are involved in planning the outings before they embark later in the week,” said Joann Rudi, RN, CRRN, Magee Day Rehab Coordinator. “Each outing presents unique challenges and this helps the patients work towards their individual goals, whether that’s physical, cognitive or emotional.”

Easing the Transition to Home Life When patients return home at night, they may face difficulties that only reveal themselves in a home or a community setting. Day Rehab provides a safe space to address those issues.

“When patients come back to Day

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Rehab the next day, we are here to help them find solutions that get them closer to self-sufficiency,” said Joann.

While Day Rehab is a group program, patients have individualized rehab plans and goals to meet, which dictate length of participation from one to eight weeks. Often, a patient’s rehab goals focus on getting back to his or her career or educational pursuits.

The Day Rehab team meets every two weeks to discuss each patient’s progress and recommend next steps.

This may include transitioning to traditional outpatient therapy or discharge to home.

“Seeing our patients reach specific goals is always the most rewarding part of the work we do,” added Joann. “One patient wanted to be able to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. Our therapists worked with him to practice that specific activity and successfully reach that goal.”

Clinical Programs & Services News Individualized Day Rehab Goals Are Essential for Patients’ Transition to Work and Home Life Each patient and their care team works on creating a rehab plan that is specific to their wants and needs. Individualized goals are based on several factors, including the severity of the injury or illness, home life, hobbies and return to work, if possible.

Antonio Ellis, a New Jersey police officer, underwent many months of physical and cognitive rehabilitation in 2020 while recovering from a severe bout with COVID-19. When Antonio transitioned from inpatient to Day Rehab, his goals focused on helping him return to the police force. In this photo, Antonio performed a simulated car seat inspection, as that was among his many duties as a police lieutenant. His job also entailed public speaking and leading training sessions.

Antonio worked with his Day Rehab speech therapist to give a prepared presentation on distracted driving to a small group at Magee’s Riverfront outpatient facility.

Jim Jones’ rehab plan was designed to help him prepare for his daughter’s upcoming wedding.

He wanted to be well enough to walk her down the aisle. In this photo, Jim and his physical therapist practice the activity at the church where his daughter was to be married.

Amanda Lyons became paralyzed from the waist down when she was struck by a stray bullet in the spring of 2021. No longer having the use of her legs changed every aspect of her life.

When she started Day Rehab, some of her goals focused on getting back to the classroom at Thomas Jefferson University where she served as an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy. Amanda’s therapists accompanied her to the building where she taught, so she could get a sense of what it would be like to access the building and work while using a wheelchair.

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Hands-Free Voice Assistant Brings Independence, Convenience to Patients Magee introduced new integrated smart room technology into all 83 inpatient rooms using the Aiva Health voice platform in early November 2021. “Our goal in introducing voice-controlled technology into patient rooms is to enable greater independence while we help them recover and return to their best possible way of life,” said Jeff Brown, director of IT Strategy at Jefferson Health.

This automation experience is the next step in creating an optimal experience for our patients. In 2020, Magee completed a facility renovation transforming all patient rooms into private suites. Each room is equipped with 55-inch flat screen TV’s, sleeper sofas for family members, and other home-like amenities.

How Patients Can Use Alexa The biggest benefit of the Aiva Health platform is a better, more self-directed experience for patients, who can use Amazon’s Echo devices to control their rooms just by speaking. Patients can ask “Alexa” to open and close the blinds, change the room temperature and control the lights. This not only assists the patient, but also helps staff.

In the past, patients would need to call a staff member to help with these environmental controls. Patients can also ask Alexa to play music and sleep sounds, or answer questions about the facility, like visiting hours.

“We’ve gotten such positive feedback from patients, who are so excited to have some sense of independence during their stay at Magee,” said Jeff.

Protecting Privacy All devices are specifically configured through Aiva and the Alexa Smart Properties management services to protect privacy and security. No personal information is shared with Alexa to use the device, and voice recordings are not saved. “The messages that patients relay to Alexa are encrypted. There’s no human review of the conversations,” said Jeff.

For example, if a patient says, “Alexa, close the blinds,” the request, along with the room number, is sent to Aiva.

Aiva then performs the action through its integration with the building management system.

Looking to the Future Moving forward, Magee plans to introduce even more functionality to the Aiva Health platform. “Soon, we’ll be able to add television controls to the list of tasks that the devices can perform,” said Jeff. The team is also working on adding functionality to call a nurse or other staff member when patients ask certain questions, connect patients to an interpreter for language assistance and send requests to the environmental services (EVS) team.

“We’re constantly looking at more ways for patients to use these devices to improve both the patient experience and staff workflow,” said Jeff.

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In 2020, Magee completed renovations which transformed all patient rooms into private suites with 55-inch flat screen TVs, sleeper sofas and other home-like amenities.

Community News, Events & Activities Wheelchair Basketball is Back Magee’s Wheelchair Basketball team, the Magee Spokesmen, is now back on the court after a hiatus during the pandemic.

Wheelchair basketball is a great way to exercise, have fun and be challenged. Athletes have included amputees, and individuals living with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or another lower extremity disability. The rules of wheelchair basketball are slightly modified to make the game more accessible from a seated position. Athletes must be able to push a manual wheelchair independently in order to play the sport.

For more information about joining the Magee Spokesmen, contact Magee’s wheelchair sports coordinator at 215-587-3412 or Sports@MageeRehab.org.

Venturing Out to the Zoo Magee’s Young Adult SCI Support Group ventured out to visit the Philadelphia Zoo in fall 2021. Group members enjoyed seeing the animals and an afternoon of beautiful weather. The Young Adult SCI Support Group hosted virtual meetings for over a year until pandemic restrictions were eased for a period of safe in-person gatherings.

Teeing Off for the Segal Classic The 32nd Jerry Segal Classic welcomed 200 golfers at two courses, Green Valley Country Club and Liberty Hill, on September 24, 2021. The event raised $500,000 to benefit Magee programs and patients. This is the first Segal Classic since Jerry Segal’s passing in June 2020. It was a wonderful testimony to the event Jerry started and built over 30 years ago.

For information about the group, contact Joann Rudi at joann.rudi@jefferson.edu, or check out the Facebook group: @sciyoungadult.

Wash and Tune Magee’s Riverfront outpatient facility proudly hosted the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the United Spinal Association’s annual Wheelchair Wash and Tune event.

More than 60 people attended, including volunteers, vendors and participants, to clean wheelchairs and make minor repairs. Many thanks to the members of Team Magee for volunteering their time and elbow grease.

For more information on how to become a member of the Greater Philadelphia United Spinal Association and hear about upcoming events, visit: unitedspinalphiladelphia.org.

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Humanitarian Award Magee’s 2021 Humanitarian Award was presented to James E. George, MD during the annual Humanitarian Award Dinner at The Logan Hotel on November 16, 2021. The annual event recognizes those who contribute positively to the Philadelphia community and are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities in our region. Proceeds from the event support Magee patient programs and services.

Dr. George is a former patient who first came to Magee for his spinal cord injury recovery. He is a medical leader, artist and generous benefactor. Dr. George has served as the Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine and President of the Medical Staff at Inspira Medical Center. He serves as a Vice Chair of the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Board, and has donated hundreds of pieces of artwork to adorn the walls of Magee. He also serves on the Board of the Adam Taliaferro Foundation. He is widely acclaimed as a community leader in the Delaware Valley.

Left to Right: Fred D’Angelo, Chairman of the Board of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital; Bill Conrad, Chairman of the Board of Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation; Rich Webster President, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital; and Dr. George (front)

Congratulations On Your Graduations!

These former patients achieved their college degrees following their discharge from Magee.

Jennifer “Jenny” Fermaintt LaSalle University

Catherine (Casey) Matthews University of Pennsylvania Casey was a senior at the University of Pennsylvania when she had a stroke in April 2021. The timing of the illness was especially tough, as Casey was very close to completing two courses needed in order to graduate that May. Much to her surprise, the university called her name during Penn’s virtual ceremony on graduation day. Casey worked hard to complete inpatient and outpatient therapy at Magee and then went on to finish the remaining classes in the fall. This allowed her to earn her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in December 2021.

During her outpatient rehab at Magee Riverfront, her therapy team surprised her with a graduation party and gifts.

Jackie Lithgow Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Jackie Lithgow graduated with bachelor of arts in Mass Communications/Media Studies from Bloomsburg University in 2021. He was a freshman at Bloomsburg in 2014 when he sustained a traumatic brain injury while trying to break up an argument. Jackie spent many months as an inpatient at Magee, where he relearned how to talk, walk, eat and care for himself again. He eventually re-enrolled in college. With several years of hard work and determination, Jackie graduated on May 16, 2021.

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Jenny Fermaintt had just started her spring semester at LaSalle University in 2020 and she noticed she wasn’t feeling well. Following several hospitalizations, doctors diagnosed Jenny as having a non-traumatic brain injury. She came to Magee for inpatient rehab for the next phase of her recovery. Jenny moved home with her parents in Chicago while she continued with outpatient rehab.

When she was ready, Jenny was to pick back up with her studies, because LaSalle was holding classes online due to the pandemic.

Despite the challenges and setback with her health, Jenny was determined to earn her degree. On May 15, 2021 she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Jenny and her parents attended an outdoor graduation ceremony at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Jenny is looking forward to continuing her post grad education for a master’s degree in Psychology or Neuropsychology.

Research: Publications & Presentations We Investigate, Collaborate and Share Knowledge The Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley is committed to advancing and sharing knowledge of spinal cord injury care, treatment and cure. Here are publications and presentations by our staff since the last issue of The Cord.

SEPTEMBER 2021

PUBLICATIONS

• Houtman R. Presentation: “Life After Inpatient Rehab. What Next?

Navigating Therapy Transitions”

Betz, S., Cadematori, C. & Mulcahey, M.J. (2021). Thriving after pediatric spinal cord injury: two life stories.

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 7(25). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-02100392-8 Cadematori, C., Alpajora, B., Sivori, T., Betz, S., Gerhardt, N., Dunn, W., Mulcahey, M.J. (2021). Preliminary examination of Coaching in Context with clients with spinal cord injury.

The International Spinal Cord Academy, 7(27). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-02100391-9

PRESENTATIONS FEBRUARY 2022 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX • Fanto D. Presentation: Evaluation and Treatment of Gaze Stability in Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Report

ASCIP (Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals) Conference, Reno, NV • Hicks T, Cooke G. Presentation: Sexual Education in Rehab: Facilitating Co-Treat Sessions

FEBRUARY 2021 APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Virtual Event • Fanto D, Beus E. Presentation: Evaluation and Treatment of Unilateral Hypofunction in an Individual with Chronic Tetraplegia

CURRENT or UPCOMING RESEARCH Title: Activity-based Training for Arm and Hand Function in Spinal Cord Injury Purpose:To examine upper limb activity-based rehabilitation delivered by rehabilitation technology (such as gaming) for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Principle Investigator: Namarata Grampurohit For more information, contact: nxg073@jefferson.edu or 206-353-6054

Title: Biomechanics of Adaptive Rowing in Active and Inactive Manual Wheelchair Users Purpose: To characterize the biomechanics of the adaptive rowing stroke in active and inactive individuals who use a MWC for mobility. To identify clinical factors (shoulder strength, range of motion, pectoralis minor muscle extensibility), quality of life, and community participation in active compared to inactive individuals who use a MWC for mobility.

Principle Investigator: Liz Euiler For more information, contact: 603-520-6975 or ede29@drexel.edu Title: Using Smartphones to Improve Physical Activity Levels of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Purpose: To help individuals with spinal cord injury improve their physical activity levels in the community.

Principle Investigator: Shivayogi Hireman, PhD For more information, contact: Shivayogi Hireman, PhD 215-204-0496 shiv.hireman@temple.edu Mary Schmidt Read, PT, DPT, MS, FASIA mary.schmidt@jefferson.edu

New Neurorestoration Screening Clinic You can think of the clinic as getting a second opinion from a neurologist, yet with the support of a larger team.

This visit would be charged to your insurance, and our philanthropy fund will cover your co-pay.

The Center for Neurorestoration at Thomas Jefferson University is launching a new screening clinic for individuals with chronic neurological conditions to learn about: • new clinical care options

• integrative medicine to promote brain health and overall wellness

Our new Center has the latest information on all current and upcoming clinical trials in Philadelphia and across the country. Provide us with your name and contact information for updates on the new trials as they are approved.

• assistive device options to improve independent function

Interested? Questions?

• financial education

For more information, please email: CenterNR@jefferson.edu.

• clinical trials in the Philadelphia region

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Support Groups Support Group Provides Connections for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Their Families The impact of a brain injury can ripple throughout an individual’s life. Magee’s Brain Injury Family CARE Group provides a confidential environment where brain injury survivors, their families and other loved ones can connect with others who have been in a similar situation. Participants receive support and education from specially trained brain injury survivors, their families and a clinical neuropsychologist. In addition, individual mentoring may be arranged.

The group meets virtually on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

Interested? Questions?

Contact Sonya Dibeler at sonya.dibeler@jefferson.edu or call 215-587-3411.

Get Support at Magee!

For details, contact the individuals listed or visit: MageeRehab.org/Community/Support-Groups.

• Amputee Peer Mentoring: Rebecca Levenberg rebecca.levenberg@jefferson.edu 215-587-3411

• SCI Resource & Support Group: Marie Protesto marie.protesto@jefferson.edu 215-587-3174

• Amputation Support Group: MRH_amputee@jefferson.edu 215-587-3106

• Stroke Family Care Group: Sonya Dibeler sonya.dibeler@jefferson.edu 215-587-3411

• Aphasia Support Group: Madison Liss madison.liss@jefferson.edu Lauren Montie lauren.montie@jefferson.edu 215-587-3484 • Healthy Living (Multiple Sclerosis): Colleen McAllister colleen.sanford@jefferson.edu 215-218-3903 • SCI Family Peer Support Group: Ruth Black ruth.black@jefferson.edu 215-587-3030

• Stroke Peer Mentoring: Sonya Dibeler sonya.dibeler@jefferson.edu 215-587-3411 • Wendekos Stroke Club: Fritz Louis Jean fritz.louisjean@jefferson.edu 215-587-3180 • Young Adult SCI Social Group: Joann Rudi joann.rudi@jefferson.edu 215-518-3912

• SCI Peer Mentoring: Marie Protesto marie.protesto@jefferson.edu 215-587-3174

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Magee Rehabilitation Address Service Requested

1513 Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19102-1177 1-800-96-MAGEE JeffersonHealth.org/Magee

Gaining Ground Provides a Boost in Strength and Mobility Gaining Ground is a “boot camp” that offers an intensive, personalized approach to neurological recovery. Magee trainers and therapists create an individualized exercise program to help each participant increase function.

Clients meet three times a week, five hours per day, for one-on-one training and education.

Upcoming sessions for 2022: April 25–May 19 | June 6–June 30 | July 11–August 5 September 12–October 6 | October 17–November 10

Interested? Questions?

Contact Liz Watson at elizabeth.watson3@jefferson.edu or 215-218-3913.

CS 22-0855

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