This post was written by Julie Desper, manager, Rehabilitation Therapy, Parkview Noble Hospital.

When Hope Addis was 12 years old, she suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) following a horseback-riding accident. At worst, she was barely expected to survive. At best, the prognosis for her long-term recovery was grim. But Hope is a fighter and survivor, and she continues to thrive today.   

Finding her way             

Hope has been in and out of physical and occupational therapy since her injury. She is now 21 years old and continues to need support for daily activities such as preparing meals, washing her hair, tying her shoes and doing laundry. Since the accident, Hope also struggles to walk safely. Over the years she has had multiple braces, exercises and BOTOX® injections to help increase muscle tone, her range of motion and foot position. 

Linda Tritch, OTR, occupational therapist, Parkview Noble Hospital, has been working with Hope and her mother throughout the entire treatment journey. Recently, Linda learned of new technology that may help Hope become more independent. The Bioness L300 Go® is a functional electrical stimulation (FES) unit that stimulates a muscle and its nerve supply. In cases like Hope’s, FES replaces the natural electrical signals from the brain and helps the affected limb move again.

Generosity makes more possible

When it came to utilizing the new technology, cost was a major obstacle for Hope, but Linda was determined to find a way to get her the device. After receiving a sizable grant from a volunteer group in Colorado, Linda decided to ask the Parkview Foundations for assistance in finding grant information. Not only did The Foundation assist Linda in navigating grant information, they also offered Hope financial assistance to purchase one of the two Bioness L300 Go components.  

It was obvious after her fitting that this technology was exactly what Hope needed to improve her gait. The Bioness L300 Go assists to re-educate her muscles to work correctly so that she can have better knee extension and lift her toes to help her walk more safely. Hope will need continued therapy as her muscles strengthen and she corrects years of unbalanced walking, but with each step she gains more and more independence.

To support the Parkview Foundations Rehab Fund and assist patients like Hope, visit our Make a Gift page on parkview.com.