A Stroke Recovery Story

Author

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley

Posted on

Apr 14, 2022

In a matter of minutes, Danilo Sangco went from being a fully functional 49 year-old to not being able to walk or even use his hand to grip his smart phone.
Sangco had a hemorrhagic stroke. Once his medical condition was stabilized at the hospital, his doctors recommended inpatient rehabilitation to help him recover from the stroke.


Making the Right Choice
Sangco was skeptical. He thought he could manage and recover through outpatient therapy, but after some consideration, he took his doctors advice.
The more I thought about it I knew I needed inpatient rehabilitation, he said. My sister searched all the inpatient centers, and we chose Encompass Health because they had the best reviews. I am glad I made the right choice.
When Sangco arrived at the rehabilitation hospital, he couldn't walk and had little movement in his left side. His recovery goals: he wanted to walk again and just feel like himself.
I wanted to feel normal again and do the things I normally would be able to do, he said. I wanted to get my left hand and left leg working again and wanted to ultimately be able to work and ride my motorcycle again.


Getting Back to Normal
Sangcos care team used the advanced technologies and equipment at Encompass Health to help him get back on his feet safely.
The Vector, a gait and safety technology system, helped Sangco learn to walk again while the systems harness protected him from falling. As his strength increased, he moved to the parallel bars, where he could practice walking with the assistance of his therapy team.


Trusting Himself Again
Sangco was at Encompass Health for 14 days. He said his care team gave him confidence, something he had little of when he arrived at the rehabilitation hospital.
When Sangco left Encompass Health, he was walking again and his balance greatly improved. Thanks to the motivation he received from his Encompass Health care team, he said he was able to trust himself again.
Once you have the motivation and dont get discouraged and you trust yourself, thats what creates the biggest impact on your life and recovery, he said.

Editors Note: This article was submitted by Lisa Hopkins, OTR/L, of Encompass Health Harmarville Sewickley Kennedy.

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