Testimonials

Dan – I Sustained a spinal cord injury at C6/7 in April, 2012, at the age of 20. Injury caused by blunt trauma resulting in a severe contusion of the spinal cord. Classified as AISA – A at time of jury. Medical intervention was spinal immobilization via traction, IV infusion of methylprednisolone (steroid), and finally surgical fusion of the C6 & C7 vertebrae. Daniel remained in intensive care for 11 days, and then inpatient rehabilitation for 10 weeks before being discharged to continue with outpatient PT and OT.

In the months following my injury, I dove pretty deep into the body of research dealing with SCI. The general prognostic message from my doctor(s) was bleak; I had a “complete” SCI, which put me in an unfortunate statistical bracket, and the only clinical trials offered to me at the time were for pharmaceutical interventions intended to address secondary issues like loss of bone density. Like most in my situation, my sights were set on functional recovery to a state near my pre-injury body.

Aside from some small-scale experimental research, mostly done in rat models, I was finding that the literature pointed to physical therapy being the current best option for this goal. Specifically, physical therapy that is intense, task-specific, repetitive, and involving weight-bearing.

I was learning this while receiving “traditional” therapy that focused on my gaining independence and preventing secondary medical complications. I tried to convince my PTs to allow me time in the brand-new robotic locomotor training machine, to use the FES bike, and was stonewalled. I didn’t have enough preserved function to justify those treatments—back to arm strengthening and uneven transfers.

Then came Sakina, about 5 months after injury, and Jackie a few months later. I did regular therapy with Sakina four times a week for about 2.5 years, alternating with Jackie pretty frequently.

I travel the country visiting neuro-rehabilitation clinics for my business, selling therapy tools that facilitate aggressive activity-based therapies (for your own good, please google “activity based therapy spinal cord injury”). Which is to say, I seek out the rare breed of neuro PT for whom the job is their passion, the cutting-edge research their evening reading material.

Even among this subset of individuals, Sakina sits comfortably atop the highest tier. She truly loves what she does. She is constantly expanding her skill set (recently into vestibular and Parkinson’s, but in a few months it will be new disciplines once those are mastered), reading the research, generating creative solutions to fit the various idiosyncratic needs of her patients. Jackie is very much a protégé of this great therapist model.

They will treat you the way the research clearly says you ought to be treated. It will be obvious immediately that they care about you as a person, spend time thinking about ways to treat you better in their off-time, and are truly invested in your recovery. If you were like me, searching for the grail of PTs, here they are. Otherwise, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Jill, c5, c6 incomplete, injured 43 years ago, and currently a walking quad. Walking with cane but with increasing difficulty; better understanding of posture and specific muscle involvement

I hope to see ongoing improvement in strength, gait and posture as I continue to work with TRYAbility. Sakina and Jacie are both incredibly knowledgeable and good at explaining treatments and I enjoy the mental engagement and the creative approaches.

When I broke my neck 40 years ago, I had a few months of inpatient rehab and was discharged with very little direction for continuing therapy out of the hospital. I kept active but the combination of bad habits, lack of knowledge and aging had taken its toll. When I started working with Sakina I realized how much potential I still have for maximizing my mobility and independence. She is incredibly knowledgeable and up to date on the most advanced therapies. She continues to get more training, study the journals and network with the (other) experts in the field. She has me doing multi-channel electrical stimulation to “awaken” muscles that I thought had atrophied beyond use. We work on functional movement, breaking down my gait and stepping so that I can concentrate on what I need to strengthen. She is by far the most skilled and inspiring therapist I have met in 40 years. Sakina has ignited in me a renewed sense of hope for improvement and enthusiasm for achieving my potential.

Peggy – I underwent a surgical procedure in February of 2016 to correct a swallowing disorder called Achalasia. Unfortunately I experienced an unexpected surgical complication that caused a compression injury to my spinal cord at T5. It went untreated for 24 hours causing damage to the spinal cord, leaving me with an incomplete injury at level T5. I spend almost three months in an in-patient hospital program and then six months in an out-patient day rehabilitation program without much gain in function. My prognosis remains uncertain as no one can predict what I will see in return function. I am essentially paralyzed a bit above the waist down.

I started working with Sakina about two years ago. At that point I was able to stand with maximal support but not able to walk or really use my lower limbs. Through treatment under the direction of Sakina, I have regained movement in both lower limbs along with development of better control of my trunk in stance and movement. I am able to take steps with minimal assistance and am now attempting stairs and independent balance. Jackie and Sakina have worked together to utilize both their strength and knowledge to provide an aggressive treatment plan that is fluid and changes as they see my needs and function changing

My son is getting married in June of this year. We are working on strengthening my core and pelvis to all me to stand more independently so I can participate in wedding events standing and walking. I look forward to being able to give someone a hug and stand at the same height to talk and celebrate. We are working on my endurance and strength as well, along with my ability to sense my limits.

Sakina and Jackie work together to review treatment plans and to adjust where needed to meet my needs and ability at that moment in time. They both use inventive measures and are constantly learning and doing research on best methods to achieve goals and bring innovation into their work.

I do not feel I would be where I am today without Sakina’s continuous support and dedication to my recovery. She and Jackie have both become not only my therapist but my friends.