Michael Outram, affectionately known as “Mr. Mike” by his gymnastics students endured a life changing injury to his cervical spine in a routine dismount off a trampoline. Slipping through the foam padding, Michael landed on his head on the concrete floor, compressing his spine and fracturing two vertebrae in his neck.

Michael’s body was fully paralyzed immediately after his unfortunate dismount in November of 2010. Mike remained in bed for 5 months before he was able to independently transfer himself into a wheelchair.

In March of 2011 Michael came to Aim2Walk. His initial therapy included sessions on the Lokomat with the assistance of the robotic legs, acupuncture, tissue work and electrical muscle stimulation. In May of 2011, Michael took his first independent steps! When asked about his therapy at Aim2Walk all Mike could say was “it made me walk!”

Michael continues his therapy at Aim2Walk with progressive improvements in sensation and body awareness through fascial work and active neuromuscular re-patterning. “I have 4 limbs again”, was what Michael felt about the harmonizing of his walking pattern through these unconventional treatment methods. Mike is now able to walk independently and highly recommends Aim2Walk. In his opinion, when compared to therapy he had received in the past, at Aim2Walk, we “have no limits”.

I had a stroke whilst in for a standard hernia procedure in 2006. After a couple of months in hospital and 6 weeks of the inpatient services, I was discharged to find my way. I spent 6 years post stroke searching for the correct facility to continue to improve upon my recovery they are the best with cutting edge rehab equipment in the Province!

I visit Aim2walk 3 times a week for Physio since the assessment in January 2012 and have continued to improve over the last month tremendously. Progress is not as fast as it was immediately after his stroke but I am continually amazed at the strength gained in such a short time. The dedication of the therapists is similar to having a coach getting you to your full potential. You are never left alone, there is always someone there who takes a genuine intertest in your progress and is constantly assessing you. This is a team of highly trained professionals who use a collaborative effort to get functional results you can use in your day-to-day life!

I recommend Aim2walk all the time. Their staff are so knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful. It’s reassuring to meet medical professionals that have time to discuss your concerns and it is nice to know that they really do care. If you are not atending this clinic then you are missing out on the best physio in Canada! Both traditional and alternative!

Ask yourself if you can afford to wait for recovery? I am open to speak with anyone considering this facility. This is no ordinary physio clinic… this team is unique and results-driven!

Conrad

Jan Magee – Mother of a child with CP

Aim2Walk is the best rehabilitation centre my son has ever used. My son is 12 years old and has Cerebral Palsy. He has been using physio and OT services since he was 3 months old and Aim2Walk is the first clinic that is all encompassing. The people who work at Aim2Walk, and Aaron, the President, not only have a wealth of experience, but are passionate about helping people and it shows in all their efforts. Aim2Walk has the latest equipment such as robotics and this has greatly benefited my son. He is using his walker better with more control and he has improved his overall strength. The team is committed to helping my son with a customized program that I know will enable him to continue to progress and work toward his goals.

Thank you Aim2Walk!
Jan Magee

While fishing with friends on the Magnetawan River in August of 1993, Jennifer’s 16 ft aluminum boat was struck by a 30 ft steel fishing boat. The boat, hitting Jennifer in the upper back caused a flexion/extension break in her neck (C3, C4, C5, T1) and back (L2, L3) rendering her paralyzed from the neck down. Jennifer was flown Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto where she was told that she would never walk again.

During Jennifer’s 5-week stay at Sunnybrook she regained movement in her left arm with minimal movement in her legs.

Jennifer’s treatment was then taken over by Lyndhurst hospital. Through hard work, in 5 months, she had improved substantially and although she was able to walk her gait was laborious, heavy with spasms and she fatigued quickly.

Unaware of how train a neurologically impaired body, Jennifer continued exercising on her own, building muscle at an alarming rate not realizing that she was in fact building neurological tone, resulting in stiff, spastic muscles that made walking a chore.

Sore joints, fatigue, and an uncontrolled gait left Jennifer looking for clinics that specialized in the treatment of SCI. People who would know how to build healthy muscle and manage neurological tone and spasticity. Then she found Aim2Walk.

Jennifer had heard about the Lokomat and when she came in, said that she “couldn’t wait to try it out to feel what it is like to walk normally again”. Jennifer’s first session on the Lokomat produced amazingly immediate results. Her gait had improved her stance was much narrower and she had walked further then she had in 15 years, over a kilometer!

Through continued use of the Lokomat, along with a personalized treatment protocol including neuromuscular re-patterning, Functional Electrical Stimulation, Acupuncture and Massage, Jennifer has been able to regain and maintain improvements to her gait. Her endurance has improved and her joints and tendons suffer much less because of the protocol developed for her by the therapists at Aim2Walk.

When asked how she felt about her improvements and continued therapy at Aim2Walk, Jennifer said:

“I am able to continue to strengthen my muscles in a healthy way which I feel will minimize long term stress on my body. I trip less. I find it easier to get in and out of the car. I can walk to the park with my kids. To me, these improvements are huge! A miraculous recovery having me running through a field of daisies was not was I was looking for. I simply wanted life to be easier, to keep up with my kids a little better and to trust that my body would not fail me in the years to come.
I have to wonder if I had been given the opportunity to work with this team immediately after my injury, could I have avoided many of the long term effects caused by my SCI? Could I have re-routed nerves who’s memories were fresh 17 years ago? Everyone suffering a SCI should have the access to this type of expertise and equipment as soon as their bodies are stable from injury or surgery.
A great big thank to the team at Aim2Walk!”

Todd Smith – Spinal Cord Injury

On April 12/09 my life changed. In an ATV accident I became paralyzed from a fracture at T12 L1. Next came the fight for my life in rehabilitation. It started with a 1 1/2 month stay at Parkwood’s Spinal Cord Injury unit. Then after coming home I went to Parkwood’s Outpatient Pysiotherapy twice a week. Over the course of 3 years I battled pressure ulcers, muscle atrophy, foot drop, bilateral carpel tunnel and just for fun, gall bladder surgery!

Over the last two months, since coming to Aim2Walk I have experienced exceptional improvement. Their positive approach and advanced technology has made the difference. Of course it helps that I have will power and determination to burn.

Focusing on a neurological based theory, I have regained steps toward the functional ability of walking. The staff are extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of pysiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy and are sensitive to the psychological challenges that have affected me as well. The technology and equipment they use is cutting edge, state of the art. Working with computerized bio-feedback has given me the knowledge, answers and body mechanics needed to strive to the next step.

I will walk again!

Todd Smith