A workplace injury can change everything. Traveling more than six hours from home for rehabilitation can feel even more overwhelming. But for Norm Braegelmann of Waite Park, Minnesota, the trip to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Omaha, Nebraska, proved worthwhile as he began workplace brain injury rehabilitation.
Norm fell from a ladder while working on a construction site and sustained serious brain trauma. He initially went to a skilled nursing facility, but his workers’ compensation case manager believed he needed the intensity of therapy and specialized resources that only Madonna could offer.
“They talked about how it was the best place for physical therapy, so I signed up,” Norm said. “I don’t think any other place would’ve pushed me as hard as Madonna does.”
When he arrived in August, Norm couldn’t walk or talk on his own. Even standing was difficult.
“He couldn’t move at all, and he had retropulsion, so he would lean back any time he tried to stand,” said Hannah Lutz, PT, DPT, a Madonna physical therapist.
From day one, Norm began hours of individualized physical, occupational and speech therapy. Technology like the LiteGait body-weight support system helped him take his first steps. The Xcite electrical stimulation system reactivated muscles and nerves in his arms. The Bioness Integrated Therapy System challenged his vision and hand-eye coordination. Together, these therapies formed the foundation of workplace brain injury rehabilitation at Madonna.
Norm made significant physical gains, but his biggest change came from within.|
“When he first got here, he was pretty flat,” Lutz said. “Once he found his rhythm, he started smiling more. Then he started joking more.”
Holiday-themed therapy activities helped bring out his personality. Physical and recreation therapists teamed up to use festive décor as an engaging way to meet therapy goals.
“There’s a way to incorporate fun and make it therapy,” said Alannah DiBerardino, CTRS, a recreation therapist. “We created a co-treat for every holiday where Norm helped decorate his door.”
The idea began during Madonna’s Halloween trunk-or-treat event and continued through Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“All of our creative sessions have been therapy, whether it’s fine motor skills, standing or reaching,” DiBerardino said. “It’s hard being away from family during the holidays, so we also try to bring that to him.”
Norm also used Madonna’s therapy kitchen to make his favorite Thanksgiving dessert — a pumpkin roll. Following a recipe required higher-level cognitive skills, measuring ingredients worked on executive functioning, and using a mixer helped build arm strength. The treat was a meaningful reward for progress with chewing and swallowing.
Even when patients are far from home, therapists recognize the importance of community. With Norm’s family unable to visit often, his care team made sure he felt connected.
“I added Norm to all of our recreation groups,” DiBerardino said. “We do campuswide groups to encourage patients to meet others so they’re not missing out on socialization. It’s nice to have familiar faces around campus.”
Because he stayed at Madonna for more than four months, Norm participated in several patient outings to practice community reintegration. His favorite was a trip to Bob and Willie’s Wonderbowl.
“When we went bowling, we were really working on his retropulsion,” Lutz said. “Getting him to reach forward for the ball helped him find his center of gravity. It was beneficial for his balance, transfers and short-distance walking, and it didn’t feel like therapy.”
Looking back, Norm is proud of his progress and excited to put his relearned skills to use.
“I’m proud of all the walking I’ve done and the exercises they had me do,” he said. “I can walk by myself. I can talk more clearly. I know I can talk to my 2-year-old granddaughter.”
With improved speech and renewed confidence, Norm is quick with a joke for staff, patients and visitors alike.
“He just brings his personality everywhere,” DiBerardino said. “Everyone knows Norm in the hallway. It’s been special to see him blossom at a home away from home.”