Arnie's Shop

[larwatson]

When I first came on this website last July I was looking for a place in Phoenix where I could go to get into the best physical condition possible. No offense to anyone, but nobody gave very good input. . . hey if you don't know...you don't know...and that's cool.

I have now found what appears to be exactly what I was looking for . . . and it has come from the unlikeliest of places . . . Arnie Fornseca. Now calm down . . . step/roll/stumble/crawl away from your keyboard . . . let me finish before you all go ballistic on me. Last week, JOSHS updated an old post regarding his dad and the return that he has recovered. In that post was a description of Arnie's facility. From what was described . . . it sounded like something I could use.
And it is.

For the past month I've been battling a fraud case from hell, wherein I'm in the midst of prosecuting an attorney for embezzlement, defalcation, fraud etc. The level of stress has been incredible. The only way to battle that stress has been by lifting at home and hand biking on my Scwinn. I've also been entering into prayer as well regarding my health, restoration of my body, and need to open doors (not only for me . . . but everyone on this site). Those prayers have been getting answered in many ways. CR's recent statements on clinical trials; the updates from China, Portugal and Australia; and Dr. Young's recent comments. And now they're being answered again.

Yesterday my grand dad passed away (NOT the answer to my prayers . . . I think). I got the call from my wife yesterday morning, while I was in the midst of drafting the brief from hell. Stress was now at an all time high. I finished the brief three hours later and realized I needed to get away. I had the info from Meeker's post regarding Arnie's Shop and decided to go check it out.

When I first got there Arnie came over and introduced himself. He spent the next hour and a half with me showing me his facility. He was gracious in every way. And his facility was everything I had prayed for (God is great). They have the top handbikes on the market . . . excellent for that cardio work out. He then showed me the free weight system . . . again excellent. . you name it . . . they got it. and its at least low quad (c5 down) friendly. They also have an ambulatory track if that's what you are looking for. But the best of all . . . they have three (possibly four . . . I am too excited to recall) FES bikes . . the good ones from Petrofsky. They also had a rickshaw, standing frames, wheelchair treadmill, basketball area (half court). All in all a VERY NICE set up. The kind of place that you can go to to get in the best shape of your life . . . and maybe even some functional return (not my top priority. . . I just want the body ready when the cure gets here).

Turns out that Arnie just opened this new place to accommodate the type of people who are seeking something more. While we talked about the discussions of OT and Meeker on the forum here. . . he applied absolutely no pressure on the subject. In fact, while I can't speak for him, I think that his support of the OT therapy is born out of the same frustration as we ourselves have voiced on this site more than once. And that is the fact that there are a whole lot of people out there making a whole lot of money off of us sitting in these chairs. Heck CR himself has become a cottage industry for some (no slam at CR...he's my hero...this comment only goes as far as the fact that by spending $500k/year on his health care plus grant monies received...somebody's making some serious bank).

As I understand it, Arnie's costs range up to $100.00/hr. out of pocket (ie insurance is not paying) if you're looking for an up close and personal program that is targeted at getting you maxed out physically (cheaper than Project Walk and he doesn't discriminate on chronics). Turns out he is working with the physiatrist who I last saw over a year ago, and who I found excellent in every way. So there is a good chance of getting a script for insurance coverage which will help on the cost issue. Arnie also has a community rate, which I'm not clear on, but its much less. In that program, you are pretty much working independently like any other gym and need to bring a workout buddy to assist you if necessary.

All in all it was a great experience. I'm setting up an appointment with my physiatrist to get a script, because I want to be killing myself over the next few months to max out. While I had great cynicism going into it (hey I'm an attorney what did you expect?), it turned out to be a great interview with Arnie. He's bright, well connected, and knows his stuff. His heart is truly in the right place, and that is to help people get stronger in mind, body and spirit. No medical model BS going on here. Now if he could just get Meeker to chill on the OT cheerleading. . . . . http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

[JoshuaS]

Thanks Larwatson,
I really enjoyed your post and I hope that other people feel the same as I do! Yes, the Neuro Institute is an amazing place, I go with my father all the time, to see how he is doing. I hope everyone gets touched by this article and is open minded in letting the Neuro Institute work for them!!!!

"my jungle love ohh ehh ohh ehh ohh"

[JoshuaS]

"Arnie also has a community rate, which I'm not clear on, but its much less. In that program, you are pretty much working independently like any other gym and need to bring a workout buddy to assist you if necessary." ...Larwatson...

The community program rate is as follows
$40.00 for one month
$75.00 for two months
$100.00 for three months

and there are people there who can assist you in working out!

"my jungle love ohh ehh ohh ehh ohh"

[foster]

At a $100 hr to work out 3 hrs a day 5 days a week it would cost $6000 a month not $3000 at pw so how is this cheaper. And if you want to stay and work out more there is no extra cost.

[larwatson]

Originally posted by foster:

At a $100 hr to work out 3 hrs a day 5 days a week it would cost $6000 a month not $3000 at pw so how is this cheaper. And if you want to stay and work out more there is no extra cost.

Aye my friend it would appear on the surface that you are correct. However, upon further review . . .

First, Arnie's place is local to me . . . so I can keep working while I'm here; use no vacation time; and not have to pay rent in North San Diego County (ohhhh yeah . . . now lets talk about cost . . . SD is prime rate). So that alone makes it cheaper for me as a local.

Second, you're talking about a program I have no interest in. At least from my experience . . . when I'm exercising more than two hours a day three times a week I run into diminishing rates of return. So I'm not going to be doing three hours a day. At least not for that part of my regime that I don't need assistance. I can lift just fine on my own, I don't need to be paying someone to watch me do something I already know how to do. My time with Arnie and his PT will be spent primarily on FES, trunk control, etc. As such, again my costs are lowered.

I know that Arnie has an immersion program . . . that rate might include what you are talking about. Perhaps JOSHS can shed some light on the cost of the immersion program.

Third, Arnie takes chronics.. . . PW doesn't. I'm a long term chronic. . . PW wouldn't take me even if I wanted to go there. My goals are different than those who fit the PW requirements. My goal for the past 20 years is too stay in as good a shape as possible in order to be a viable candidate for the cure surgery as possible. From what I've seen at Arnie's place . . . its the best option that I have to max out my potential.

PW may be a great place . . . it may even be more cost effective than Arnie's for relatively new injuries that are looking for an immersion program. I don't know . . . and frankly I don't care. You'll need to call him to check out the pricing.

All I'm saying is that this is the best program of its type ESPECIALLY FOR CHRONICS I've ever seen . . . and I've lived in So Cal for 8 years and seen what it has to offer (including the Petrofsky Center, which I thought was decent. . . pricey . . . but decent). If you live in AZ I recommend for you to check out Arnie's new place . . . I'm not promising miracles. . . just a good place to work out and get fit at what seems to be a relatively good price.

Plus I get on the FES bikes at a cost much less than the $14,000.00 price tag I otherwise would have to pay. Which is the main reason that I am interested.

Good luck

[Curt Leatherbee]

Great Idea Lar. I spoke to Arnie last summer for about an hour on the phone. He really knows what he is talking about and seems like a heck of a nice guy. Good luck to you. The other good thing is that you are not forking out all kinds of money for something that you may lose interest in (the FES bike). I have found I have kind of lost a lot of interest in mine, I over built my legs and was having trouble even pulling my heavy (dead weight) muscle bound legs into my truck. I have not used the machine in over month and notice it is easier to move around my legs, I'll go back to FES this Spring, but not as intense. It is definately possible to overdue it as I found. I still lift weights and ride my Handcycle a lot, those are keeping me in good shape until I start FES again.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[Bryan]

Hi, This is only my second post. But I felt I should after my caregiver, Ester, checked out what was being said. She's helping me write this.

Yesterday was the first time I've been to Neuro Institute. Although I've worked with Arnie for years, I've been lazy about my rehab , maybe because I have my own Bike and therapy stuff. Arnie has been pushing, but as he has told me" you can't push a rope" Honestly I've been afraid. That changed when I arrived yesterday. All I can say "wow!, this is cool!" Galaxy bikes, Uppertones, Neuro Pulse, Gait trainers and more. But most of all is the attitude. I haven't worked this hard in months. I'm motivated! I know all this takes money, which isn't an issue with me. But I do know that arnie has a way of working things out for people. All I can say is check it out for yourself or talk to him personally.

Bryan

[Chris Chappell]

Is there a website link to Arnie's place?

[larwatson]

I don't have a web link for his place but here are the good old fashioned directions and phone number.

The Neuro Institute is located in Tempe on Warner road between Hardy and Priest on the south side of the street. New building. Big sign over the front door.

The address is: 1221 W. Warner Rd. suite 102

Phone #: 480-735-0124

[marmalady]

Here's the link for the Neuro Institute site:

http://www.healingtherapies.info/NEUROINSTITUTE.htm

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

[JoshuaS]

That is not the link, that is an article from the owner of that site about them. There is a site under construction, at will be up shortly.

"my jungle love ohh ehh ohh ehh ohh"

[larwatson]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Curtis:

I over built my legs and was having trouble even pulling my heavy (dead weight) muscle bound legs into my truck."

Curtis, I can only hope that I end up with muscle bound legs. THAT is a problem I would like to have instead of the sticks I'm looking at now. Besides I have a Vette, so I'm low to the ground and won't have to worry about that uphill vault.

I'm pumped. I'll keep you posted on my progress. I have an appointment with my doc in two weeks to get the script. Wish me luck.

[Curt Leatherbee]

Good luck. It takes a lot of time, I was doing two hour workouts on the FES bike once every other day, I guess thats one advantage to actually having the FES bike in your house, it would take even more dedication doing it outpatiant as you are doing. Anyhow, you should take some before and after pictures, that is always fun.

What year Vette do you have? I drove my brothers 1999 C5 corvette and loved it and I was surprised that it is really not that hard to get the chair in, just removed the wheels. Low transfer though as my chair is so high. I am kind of thinking about waiting a year until the 2004 C6 Corvette comes out and maybe buying a new one then, it is rumored to have 450 horsepower and is kind of reminisant in looks to the 1963-1967 Corvette which I really liked. I just hope they dont raise the price too much. Although possibly I may end up putting the 50 g's into OEG if it looks like it is doing any good at that point, it would probabley be a better investment. Maybe I should sell my FES bike now before the cure comes around so I can still get the big dollars for it, lol. I have enough muscle bulk on my legs to last another year or so.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[larwatson]

Curtis,

I have a 1982 C3 Collectors Edition, that was the first year back with that messed up crossfire injection. I've had to modify it to get the horses I need, but hey . . . that's half the fun right?. I love that shark body. I heard the same on the C6 . . . if its true I'm looking at going for it as well . . .

Do you think one hour a day on the bike will get me where I want to go? Two hour time slots are hard for me to come by these days.

[Curt Leatherbee]

Lar, One hour every other day should be fine (your legs need a one day recovery time), that actually is probabley better as like I said, with two hours every other day the legs almost seem to build up to the point where it makes transfers and moving your legs with your arms harder as muscle is heavy and when you cant move your legs it is like dead weight. I could actually feel that it slowed me down a little on my Handcycle as I was carrying more weight. The guys who are low level Paras with skinny little atrophied legs and huge upper bodies fly in the handcycle races and I was no match for them being a high level para with heavy legs. It is great for body image though, I will say that. Last Summer I use to love wearing shorts and showing off my legs, most people had no idea I was even paralyzed riding the handcycle (they just thought I liked beer drinking with my little pot belly) lol. At this point with taking more than a month off from the FES bike, I am back to Para legs again, although definetly better than they use to be before I started using FES. I know once I start using the FES bike again in March things will come right back. I have been maintaining the muscles with my portable Neuropulse unit.

What you want to shoot for on the FES bike is where you can ride on level three for an hour straight, on higher levels than that, I think it is actually less healthy as you require higher stim levels and I question how good that is for the muscles long term. On level three, I would generally stay below 75% stim level which is good, it beats up more on your skin when you start get up to a 100% stim level (150 Ma max). It is going to take you at least 6 months to a year of one hour sessions every other day until you can get to level 3 for an hour straight. You will first start out on level 0 (no resistance) and work your way up. Starting out with too high a level will not do you much good at first as the machine will just go adaptive real quick and bring you down to the level your body is comfortable with. Although a little secret is to fool the machine and use a higher level and help your legs along with your arms to keep the stim level below 100%, this will build you up faster. That is one good thing with the inherit design of the bike in that providing it is functioning properly (and it should be if it is up and running as there are many built in safety checks) it is impossible to overdue.

As far as the Vettes go, C3's and C4's are nice too, infact I almost prefer the looks of the C4's over the C5's, the C5's look kind of fat. I have been thinking if I can find a 1985-1996 C4 with a good body and interior and a bad motor, I could pull the motor and put in a Stroker 383 and would have a faster and far less expensive car than a C5, plus it would be kind of a fun project and much more personalized. Your right about that Crossfire, that was one of the worse mistakes gm ever made, stock those cars where about one of the most anemic vettes ever made, good thing you changed things around as the small block is a great motor.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[This message was edited by Curtis on 01-31-03 at 13:06.]

[This message was edited by Curtis on 01-31-03 at 13:10.]

[antiquity]

Good point Curtis. I was advised that increasing the muscle tone in my legs would make them much heavier to lift and transfers much harder to accomplish. I guess it's a catch22. Good tone will definitely be required if we ever hope to walk again but are those gains worth the damage that lifting more weight will put on the already worn out shoulder and elbow joints of the average 10+ years quad.

[Curt Leatherbee]

You got that right Seneca, I have thought about the extra stress it was putting on my shoulders lifting my heavy legs. That brings us to another important point, and that is how important Stretching is, it is just, if not more important than lifting weights and using the FES bike. When a person is using the FES bike it requires at least a half hour a day of stretching the legs, this is extremely important.

I have cut back on the time I spend working my legs as now I know should the cure come along it will definetly be possible to bring them back to normal again, as I have done that with FES, at least temporarily, at this point I spend more time on my upper body (what I can move) as thats what is really important for now, for the future, hopefully the legs will someday again be hooked up to the brain so I can use all the leg machines in the health club and not have to use FES again.

How are things going with the Neuropulse Seneca? if you have any questions or need any help, e mail me. The upgrade is now available from Electrologic, you might want to find out through Heather if you can send yours back for the upgrade and how much it will cost.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[antiquity]

Curtis, I haven't used the Neuropulse yet. I've been focussing on reducing the contracture in my knees first. Although the muscles in my legs are small, the tone is pretty good so I'm not sure if they'll all need stimming. I'll use the Neuropulse to build up my quads and hopefully strengthen them enough to prevent the contracture from reoccuring.

[mk99]

"When a person is using the FES bike it requires at least a half hour a day of stretching the legs, this is extremely important."

What kind of stretching? I am currently using my FES bike, daily standing and lying on my stomach... but that's it. What else should I be doing?

[Curt Leatherbee]

I find I have to stretch my Hamstrings a lot, otherwise they get to the point where I cannot even lock my leg braces in the straight position as my legs want to stay bent. This is probabley due to shortening of my hamstrings due to 22 years of being in the chair and having my legs constantly in the bent position due to sitting all the time. Using the leg braces is stretching within itself and it sounds like you should be fine if you keep on doing this routine.

The way I stretch out my hams is to sit on the bed and spread my legs wide and lean forward on each side, I have to slowly work into it as my hams get so tight and at first I cannot even lean forward. Sounds like you are probabley a lot more limber than me and using the braces will really help out keep you that way. A lot of people dont realize how important standing really is and do not do it, I am guilty of that for sure over the years. At times the braces have sat in the closet collecting dust.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[Jeff]

I've gotten into a solid FES groove but still don't require any stretching. I've always had spasticity in my quads and always slept on my stomach.

I do admit heavier legs can be a drag at times. It's harder for me to transfer up from the floor. But the added muscle in my butt is truly awesome and I love the way my legs also look. At least by comparison.

The big thing about FES, though, is the cardiovascular fitness. I thank God for that every day.

~See you at the SCIWire-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[larwatson]

So to break this FES bike thing down. . .

I'll get a cardio workout, increase my muscle mass, which will assist in staving off skin breakdowns AND improve my body image?

Bring on the heavy legs baby!!! Hey, I'll view at as an addition to strength training for my biceps, triceps, lats and shoulders when I have to lift those heavy quads and calves in and out of bed, shower, car . . . etc.

Now how do I get that six pack back. I know when I'm training hard on my Schwinn Aerodyne hand bike I'm getting better tone in the diaphram . . . how about the middle . . . is FES productive in getting tone back

[Bryan]

Just wanted to give a quick update on my progress. I have been working hard on the Uppertone and I'm amazed how sore I get in the upper back and shoulder area. Now I know why Arnie had wanted me to get a Uppertone for years. I'm also finishing each session working the hands with the Neuro Pulse. A bonus is that my caregiver can get a workout in while I'm having therapy.

Bryan

[robb909]

FES Bike.........

I was on my Physical Rehab Dr about
getting me started up on the FES bike
there at Magee Rehab in Philly where she has worked for quite a few yrs. Well, she finally
told me there were no marked improvements in cardio, muscle mass regeneration, aiding in removal of fluid build up in the legs... and so on. For these reasons she does not promote nor will she Rx me to start this therapy up before I consider purchasing a unit myself....
Whats up with that?

[antiquity]

RJ, I've heard that Magee is very conservative, is Moss rehab. an option?

[Curt Leatherbee]

Rj, it is obvious that your Physical rehab Doctor does not know what she is talking about. It is good for Cardio, builds up muscle bulk in the legs, makes you less prone to pressure sores, increases circulation, etc, etc.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[Den in Philly]

RJBurke, what is your Doc's name. I did my time at Magee back in 1997. I get back there at least once a year for an annual check-up, although I try for 2-3 times (which reminds me, time for a visit). For my money there is none better than Guy Fried at Magee. He has supported me in anything I have asked of him. He is the one I will be going to for an Rx for an FES bike when the time comes which will be soon.

I have a friend who has been going to Magee's River Front out-patient center twice a week to ride their bike since getting released in '97 with me. They obviously know the benefits of the therapy or this would not be the case. Doesn't make sense to me.


I was not always happy with Magee's policies on the whole. They are an inner-city rehab that deals with a lot of gun shot related SCI's and when I was there, less so today, I felt like their rehab program was not geared towards incomplete low paras like me. Believe me, I had my share of knock-down, drag out fights with the staff but most of it (not all) was probably me resisting the reality of my injury. Guy Fried has always been there for me. I consider him a friend as well as my Doctor.

Just about the only thing I asked of him that he did not support was my request to use anabloic steriods. With the return I got naturally and the small extra stuff that I got from Sygen I had a notion that I could build my muscles back to close to their former state with the help of steriods. Reality set in and the idea petered out in my mind anyway.

Anyway, if you ever want to swap war stories about Magee or need any help or just want to get together, let me know. Maybe we could meet up at the Abilities Expo in April. Lemme know.


~Den

[Bryan]

Hey Den, I have used anabolic steroids off and on for over 4 years. I have had great success with them as I've mentioned on a earlier post. Arnie has done quite a bit of research with them and works closely with my doctor. I have had consistent blood work without any negative side effects. Give him a call or send an email. He'll answer any question on steroids!

Bryan

[robb909]

Hey... Thanks guys, I knew the benefits
of the FES bike. I have a neuro-pulse (muscle stim) from electro~logic. Dr Barbara Brown (my Physical Rehab Dr) is the one who shot me down I think she is just very cautious in all her move with me. Thanks for all the feedback guys, Den in NJ shoot me an EMail robb909@aol.com

[antiquity]

Den, please see the following article about Creatine use during exercise in SCI.

http://carecure.rutgers.edu/spinewire/Articles/Creatine/creatine.htm

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[larwatson]

I just wanted to update this thread.

great news!!!! My insurance is covering 100% of my time at the Neuro Institute for the next 50 sessions!!!! I started last Tuesday and have been on the FES bike three times . . . improving each day. They're busting my butt on the weights, but man . . . I want more!!!! I was sore after the second work out. My chest muscles felt like I had just finished 2-a-days in football.

Arnie is working on putting together a diet for me to compliment my training. Gait training will follow in a while after I get my cardio and strength up to par.

The goal after these 50 sessions (10 weeks/5days per wk) is to have put myself o a good workout program that I can then do with minimal assistance to max out my physical ability by the end of the year. If I'm not walking, I'm going to be in the next best possible shape I can be in by the end of the year.

I'll keep you posted on the progress I make. And if you are in the Phoenix area I really recommend you stop by and check this place out. I have done a lot of looking for the past 20 years and this is by far the best of its kind I've seen. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

[Curt Leatherbee]

Good deal Larry, I was just thinking about that today, wondering how the program was going for you.

If feels good to push yourself physically sometimes, I have been training for a Race next week and really pushing myself in the training for it, it is invigorating. Did 27 miles today in 2 hours pushing against a head wind.

"Life is about how you
respond to not only the
challenges you're dealt but
the challenges you seek...If
you have no goals, no
mountains to climb, your
soul dies".~Liz Fordred

[emmy]

This is great news, I can't wait to go and visti Arnie, soooooooooooooon!!!!!!!!

Never give up!!!!!!!!! http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[Xturnnal]

Is Arnie's shop suppose to be the same thing as project walk. If not what is the difference between the workouts, goals, and mentality envolved in each. Thanks

[larwatson]

Originally posted by Xturnnal:

Is Arnie's shop suppose to be the same thing as project walk. If not what is the difference between the workouts, goals, and mentality envolved in each. Thanks

________________________________________________


As a 20 year post injury I wouldn't qualify for Project Walk. As far as I understand PW, I think that they're into the same mentality as Arnie and the Neuro Institute . . . and that is to maximize what you got using weights, floor exercises, stim, gait training, etc.

If you're local to Phoenix, I would head straight to Arnie's because of he convenience alone.

You can now check out Arnie's shop at www.theneuroinstitute.com (http://www.theneuroinstitute.com)

They just recently activated the site.

[1uncleED]

The first time I saw the Neuro Institute, "Arnie's shop," the plumbing was not yet in, there was no sheetrock on the walls, just a wide open building still under construction. Looking across this expanse of floor space unfinished as it was, I could already see in my minds eye the place buzzing with activity. What I foresaw that day is true today. The place is buzzing. It is exciting to see an idea followed up, to witness a new beginning, to be there to see words put into action.
I had a great workout today on the Neuro Gait Trainer and some upper body work with some free weights. Thirtyfive minutes of "walking" with this eliptical trainer was the longest time on this apperatus for me so far. I think I have found my "niche" therapy device. It works well for me and by next week I fully expect to be on the gait trainer for an hour at a time.
Just walking into this place and seeing the care put into it is a great motivator. The "official" Grand Opening is coming up on the 5th of March.
I'd like to say thank you to Arnie and his wife Carrie for having the vision to provide a facility like this for their son Brandon...for us.

Meeker

[Mike C]

I´ve found the answers to what I was looking for, so I´ve edited these redundant questions that I was asking.

[This message was edited by Mike C on 03-04-04 at 07:41 AM.]

[wtf]

Originally posted by larwatson:

I just wanted to update this thread.

great news!!!! My insurance is covering 100% of my time at the Neuro Institute for the next 50 sessions!!!! I started last Tuesday and have been on the FES bike three times . . . improving each day. They're busting my butt on the weights, but man . . . I want more!!!! I was sore after the second work out. My chest muscles felt like I had just finished 2-a-days in football.

Arnie is working on putting together a diet for me to compliment my training. Gait training will follow in a while after I get my cardio and strength up to par.

The goal after these 50 sessions (10 weeks/5days per wk) is to have put myself o a good workout program that I can then do with minimal assistance to max out my physical ability by the end of the year. If I'm not walking, I'm going to be in the next best possible shape I can be in by the end of the year.

I'll keep you posted on the progress I make. And if you are in the Phoenix area I really recommend you stop by and check this place out. I have done a lot of looking for the past 20 years and this is by far the best of its kind I've seen. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

I live in So. Nevada does this place accept most insurance and will they help you with getting a pre-authorization from your insurance.

[Leo]

Hey Lars, Just caught this update. Way to go old timer.

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given you."
Gandolf the Gray

[-scott-]

Casper - yes. I haven't gone through their program, but we looked into it; my [old] insurance company would cover 80-some percent of it & I'm in VA.

just give the NI a call.

[larwatson]

Man this thread got edited down in a big way. Casper call NI, they are very goodat helping you navigate the system. Ultimately its up to you, but they help as much as they can.

Last time I updated this thread was back in september. This thing doesn't contain half of the improvements I saw when I was at NI in an aggressive way.

As some of you know this past August my dad suffered a major heart attack. Long story short I wasrequired to commute between LA and Phoenix a lot which created a pressure wound. My first in over 20 years. Assuch, I wasrequired to stop my aggressivetherapy at NI until I can get it healed up. The unfortunate part is that being out of work for over four weeks taking care of my dad I had no leave to use. assuch, I've been trying to work full time and live up to my other responsibilities therefore the healing has been slow.

About three months go the wound docdecided that I needed to have a flap surgery. I told him where to go. No way. Arnie has been working with me since that time with FES on the wound. And its working. We're now over half way there and if I can keep up with the stim schedule I should be close to full recovery in the next month orso. Without having to undergo surgery and, take leavewithout pay for over sixweeks.

NI has been a life saver for me in more ways than one. They not only have a great facility, and fantastic PT'sand OT's, most importantly they are great people. I've only known Arnie for about a year now, but he and his wife Carrie are like family to me. And I know I'm not the only one that feels that way.

I'll update this in a few weeks on the pressure wound.

What we do in life echoes in eternity. Maximus - Gladiator