Using the Gait Harness System, our clients are experiencing
stronger, faster recoveries, and better psychological and
physical health
Success Stories
The right exercise, for the right duration, at the right
time, can promote neurotrophic growth factors. Therapists
and patients should try different things, until they find
the method which works.
The most commonly reported goal that clients in
rehabilitative programs report is to be able to walk again.
In these video stories you will see how therapy
opportunities are increasing for many who are using the
Second Step Gait Harness System.
The therapists working with these users believe that
recovery is a better approach than adaptation.Throughout our website, you will see how the GHS is
different from everything else you have seen, increasing
your rehabilitation and recovery opportunities with proven
results, empowering both the caregiver and the user.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Knute- Walks again after 22 years -Taking the
Road to Recovery
Knute was 11 years old when he experienced a
Traumatic Brain Injury following an automobile
accident. Knute had never walked since, as he
was at high risk for falls. 22 years later, here
begins his story. Knute is learning to walk
again WITHOUT any braces or computerized
assistance, safely with trained family/staff
members. He began walking just a few steps; now,
he is walking up to 800 feet per session. After
22 wheelchair bound years, he has come a long
way in a short period of time, and, using the
GHS, is making progress beyond anyone's
expectations. While walking, he is improving the
quality of his social communications with
others, at an eye-to-eye level. Knute is proud
to share his video showing his "dream come
true!" He is proving when aiming high, anything
is possible!
Knute- Part 2 - Holding onto his Dream 25
Years Later: Taking the Road to Recovery
As you know from Knute’s video above, he had a
TBI resulting from a MVA from when he was just
11 years old. In the Second Step Gait Harness
System, he experienced his first steps, walking
for the first time in 22 years. Now 36 years
old, Knute is walking over 1,000 feet per
session! There is no end in sight for Knute's
continued progress. He is improving, one step at
a time, and is finding that all his consistent
hard work is making his dream to walk again come
true. This latest video shows Knute using the
GHS with greater ease, increased drive, and much
improved posture and endurance.
Knute- Part 3 - Recovering His Spirit,
Changing His Life
This latest video update from Knute shows
incredible progress in several areas. Knute has
expanded into walking in all available hallways
at his day center, transitioning back and forth
between carpeting, linoleum tile, and rubberized
flooring. Knute is walking 1,400 feet per 20
min.
session -- a 40% distance and endurance
improvement in 11 months! He has increased his
walking speed in the past 7 weeks from 48
ft./min. to 70 ft./min. Due to his increased
strength and endurance, Knute has abandoned his
former power scooter, and now uses a manual
wheelchair when he isn't walking. As you will
see in this video, Knute no longer requires
transfer assistance into the GHS via 2-3 staff
members and a mat table; he brings himself to
standing, independently, straight up from his
manual wheelchair. Knute continues to experience
commensurate cognitive and psychological
gains. He walks with such drive and
determination, he has earned the affectionate
nick name of "Knute the Brute" from staff, who
admire his intense commitment and remark
he shows the focus and persistence of a true
athlete. As always, Knute continues to be a
inspiration to other program participants and
their families!
Knute – Part 4 – 25 years later, TBI recovery
advancing through exercise
Having experienced a severe TBI when just a child, Knute had
been confined to a wheelchair, and not walked, for
22 years. Knute's most recent video highlights his
creative and inspiring progress in the Gait Harness
System II. Knute now transfers into the GHSII by
bringing himself to stand, then rotates himself
inside the System so he faces the open side. Knute
says he is excited that he can experience more
independence and options with walking and exercise,
with no barriers between him and the world. Knute
insisted upon beginning more challenging activities
on his recovery track . Using the GHSII, you'll see
him doing accelerated endurance work with resistance
tubing and squats, building leg strength and
stability. Knute is enjoying these more aggressive,
athletic approaches to his recovery, including
working on hand/eye coordination by engaging in ball
catching and batting. Knute's most recent video
shows him having fun. By using this personalized
approach, Knute is beginning to enjoy life more on
his terms!
Carl - Taking Steps to Make Walking Possible
Again after TBI and Stroke
8 years after his Traumatic Brain Injury, and 1
year after his CVA/Stroke, Carl beginning to
walk again, indoors and outdoors, opens parts of
his life which brings him joy and purpose.
Greater independence, improved, healthy
functioning and cognitive development happen
through the activity of safe walking. Making
daily walking a priority is important to Carl's
recovery process.
Stroke/CVA
- Cerebellar Degeneration
Joe – Former pilot
makes Walking Again a reality after several
strokes
A former airline pilot, Joe suffered from
two strokes, one 20 years ago, and one
recently. This is Joe's first attempt to
walk down a hallway on his own. The Gait
Harness System has a unique harness support
that facilitates upright and centered
posture for Joe's healthy recovery and core
strengthening. He is standing tall again.
Joe comments "normally if I try to walk by
myself I lean to the right. This makes it
possible for me to stand straight up. I'm
standing straight up in this!" Joe is well
on track for recovery, and pleased to
actively doing so, more independently.
Donald – A Great Story: Veteran walking again after
TBI, stroke, and fall related-fractures
Donald is veteran who served our country in active
duty several years during the Korean War. Military
stressors included a traumatic brain injury, PSTD,
and shell fragment wounds following blast exposure,
at which time he was jettisoned from his jeep. In
the past several years, Donald has experienced a
heart attack, a stroke, and multiple repeated rib,
arm, hand and leg fractures resulting from falls.
Increasing falls have led to multiple
hospitalizations and increasingly protracted stays
in residential skilled nursing facilities. Here you
see Donald walk for the first time in 6 months after
being bed-bound in a skilled nursing facility. We
celebrated this wonderful accomplishment on Father’s
Day, 2010. This is a great story, and just the start
of seeing Donald improve after his injury and
illnesses.
Donald – Part 2 – 2 months later, Walking Again
following stroke
Six weeks ago, Donald took his first steps, after
not having stood or walked in over 6 months. He
required a one person assist with transfer and
ambulation. You will now observe Donald
transferring into the Gait Harness System II
independently from the bedside, and walking through
multiple halls of his residential nursing
facility, requiring no staff assistance. In fact,
he is walking so quickly, it is hard for staff to
keep up with him! Donald is excited to be getting
stronger each day, and is regaining his spirit.
Obviously, Donald's increasing mobility will allow
him residential options outside of skilled nursing
care.
Donald – Part 3 – 1 year later, celebrating Walking
Again on his birthday
Donald celebrated wonderful success walking again on
his birthday this year. It's been a year of combined
great progress and of secondary medical
complications. Donald loves being up and out of bed,
and walks several times a week in his Gait Harness
System. He has built a great deal of speed and
finesse in using the Second Step Gait Harness
System. Donald lives by his mantra that "every day I
can get out of bed, and on my feet, is a good
day!!!"
David - Home Users find Recovery
David suffered from a stroke and then severe
muscle atrophy in his legs. He began using the
Gait Harness System at the end of 2008. Within
12 weeks he went from walking 20 feet to walking
240 feet each session. David uses the Gait
Harness System twice per week, and is very proud
of his progress. This video story shows how
clinical hallways can become 2-lane, active
therapy corridors. Notice how the caregiver and
user have the room and freedom to walk safely.
The caregiver and the user have great control
and easy maneuverability over the GHS, without
having to wrestle with awkward, heavy or
resistant equipment. You can see David glides
smoothly down the hallway, without intense
effort.
In the 10 months since this video was filmed, David
reports that due to his weekly use of the Gait Harness
System, he has progressed right out of using the GHS! He
is currently using just a cane for partial walking
assistance. David commented that prior to beginning use
of the GHS, he was entirely wheelchair bound, and wasn't
able to walk at all. He is delighted at his new freedom
and independence.
Spinal
Cord Injury - Amputation
Amy- New Freedom Found from Walking Again
using Second Step
3 years ago, Amy suffered a T-11
spinal cord injury following a MVA. Her local doctor
and therapist told her she would never walk again. Amy
had different plans! She began using the Second Step
Gait Harness System at a serious spinal cord injury
recovery center. Within 9 months, you can see the
progress she has made. Amy now has her own Gait Harness
System at home, and uses it daily to go for walks
outside with her boyfriend. Amy is highly motivated, and
is determined to recover.
Eric- Seeing is Believing
If someone wants to walk again, then why not
try? Neuroplasticity is a term that describes
the brain's ability to reorganize by forming new
neural connections. Eric is a T6 complete. Eric
has worked very hard to be able to walk and
stand on his own again. He now requires minimal
assistance for guidance of his GHS. Eric is
wearing carbon fiber KAFOs with stance control
knees. As you can see, the gait harness works
very well with his braces. With Eric, seeing is
believing.
Billy – 8 years after his SCI, Billy Walks Again
Billy experienced a T 7/8 Asia A spinal cord injury
in 2003, when he was just 22 years old. For the
first 3 years post his injury he was so weak he
could barely lift a gallon of milk in his hand.
Billy has worked with STAR Rehab in Michigan over
the past 5 years, working on rebuilding his strength
and endurance. 8 years later, he is able to do a
variety of strength training exercises, including
wheelchair pull ups on pulleys, carrying 45 pound
plates in his lap. Billy does strength training 5
days a week, 3 hours a day. Over the past 6 months,
he has begun using the GHSII 5 days a week to get on
his feet and walk again. You see him here adjusting
and using his KAFOs, transferring into the Gait
Harness System II from his wheelchair, walking laps,
and then transferring out of the GHSII into his
wheelchair. Billy and his therapy team have worked
hard for his recovery, and he is determined to walk
again independently
John
- Walking using Second Step, After not Walking
for over 15 years
John is a T-11/12 incomplete. He sustained both
an SCI and above knee amputation secondary to a
MVA. He had not tried to walk in 15 years.
John’s therapist has graduated him, using the
Gait Harness System, through 2 prosthetics and
orthotics to what you now see. He has
progressed from crawling, to ambulation with a
standard walker plus stand-by assistance for
safety. He currently is walking up to 1500 feet
in the Gait Harness System and 600 feet with a
rolling walker. John exemplifies both
therapeutic complexity and ease of use
application of the Gait Harness System with both
a prosthetic and orthotic. Working with the
Second Step Gait Harness System also allows the
therapist to safely implement neuromuscular
electro-stimulation to John’s muscle in his leg.
The right exercise, for the right duration, at
the right time can promote neurotrophic growth
factors. Products such as the Second Step, which
accommodates treatment techniques like this, not
only have a specific rehabilitation intent, but
also a hologic focus.
Doug – After
his SCI, Doug is on track
Doug is 25 years
old. He suffered a SCI in 2007, when he was
just 20 years old. Doug’s injury level is
T-11 Complete Asia A. This video shows Doug
creatively using the Pediatric Gait Harness
System II in a tall kneel crawling position.
Doug works with Strength Training And
Recovery (STAR) in Michigan, an
evidence-based intense strengthening and
conditioning recovery program for spinal
cord injuries (SCI) and amputees. Doug is a
sponsored STAR athlete in several adaptive
sports activities, from wheelchair tennis to
hand-cycling in various marathons. He
intends to work developing recreational
therapy programs with specific interest in
hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreational
activities.
Norman- Saves his Leg, and Walks Again
Norman walks again after failed back surgery,
and secondary complications which lead to a
scheduled surgery to amputate his leg. He also
needed an additional
diagnosis and treatment in the area of his
C-spine. Norman traveled 65 miles to physical
therapy, every day. He has advanced beyond the
expectations of his MD, DPM and his
orthotist in under 1 month. Norman has so
improved lower extremity function that the
amputation was not only cancelled, he is able to
walk again. His therapy involved ambulation in
the Gait Harness System (GHS) with his RGO
(reciprocating gait orthosis) for 45 minutes a
session. Norman progressed from 5 minute
sessions in the parallel bars to 45 minutes in
GHS in just 1 week. After 6 weeks of therapy, he
had significant improvements in lower extremity
circulation, muscle mass strength, bone density
and cardiovascular studies, including a lowering
of his cholesterol and a reduction in his
hypertension. Norman's story shows that hope is
alive...and is living proof of how someone can
move from being wheelchair confined, and looking
at a future filled with challenges related to an
amputation, to resuming an independent life.
Walking, and recovery, are possible!
Greg - Exercise Reactivates Reorganization
in Chronic Brain Injury
Greg experienceda
closed headinjury
about year ago. His video
is an example of how good therapy seeks novel
applications of new and current rehabilitation
paradigms to stimulate, irritate and reactivate
the impaired central nervous system. Greg's
activity here is creative, complex, and involves
in-depth cognitive processing.
Educational
Maria- One Possible Solution for People who Need
Extra Help to Walk
This video will educate you on an effective,
hands-free, safe, and efficient client transfer
process using the TotaLiftII chair, for ultimate
transfer and transport flexibility, into the
Gait Harness System. This transfer process
involves no complex set-up, bending nor lifting.
The Gait Harness System and the TotalLiftII are
individual systems which offer much when used
separately, but even more when used together.
In the context of the continuing and escalating need for
rehabilitative therapy for traumatic brain injury, spinal
cord injury, neurological, lower extremity amputation, and
stroke populations, these stories offer hope that there is
opportunity for recovery. You have seen concrete examples of
how using the GHS in therapy has made walking again possible
for many.
Do you or your facility use the Gait Harness System?
If so,
click here to tell us
your story.
It's about
WALKING AGAIN
No problem is
too big…if the right people, with the right treatment, and
the right System, go at it the right way
“Your videos of brain injured folks, like my son, using
the GHS brings tears to my eyes because it reminds us to
never give up and to keep trying new things.”
Bonnie P., parent of user, Eugene OR
.....healthy opportunities for recovery
“Just
this morning the Gait Harness System was bringing some amazement and
tears to staff members as a student used it successfully.”
David Cacciatore, Physical Therapist, Lane School, Houston TX
…..keeping therapists & patients safe
“Patients
cannot fall using the GHS as the harness is designed to
support their full body weight if necessary. No
walker or cane can compare to the safety of this
System.”
Nicole Prieto-Lewis, Director of the Gait and Balance
Laboratory, Gainesville VA, Gainesville FL
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At
Second Step, Inc. we specialize in helping people walk and stand again. Our
product line includes:
second
step gait harness system, gait harness system, adult harnesses, Gait Harness
System II , pediatric harnesses
