We’re Proud
At Great Lakes Medical, we’re proud of the work we do but nothing gives us more satisfaction than hearing how MOTOmed equipment has impacted the lives of our clients.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is an inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facility. We have MOTOmed for our spinal cord injury patients and also for out outpatients. We offer a continuum of care for the population we serve, as well as several dayrehab sites in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Last year, Carl Dittmer (Motomed representative) offered to let us trial the Motomed for out spinal cord injury population. The patients and staff were very impressed with the capacity of this device. The major benefits we noticed with the device were improvements in spasticity, increased should range of motion and strength with decreased pain, and improved strength of the lower extremities with the active assisted mode for our incomplete spinal cord injury patients. In addition, we have also utilized the arm cycle in reverse to exercise the back muscles to promote improved scapular alignment with upper extremity functional use.
Some of our patients have chosen to purchase the Motomed after leaving RIC and we have provided out patients with local resources to obtain the device. They enjoy using it at home to promote range of motion and strength, as well as increase endurance.
We thank you for allowing us to trial the Motomed before purchasing one. It has been so popular with our spinal cord injury patients that other rehabilitation units, such as the one with stroke program and cancer program, have contacted us for information on trialing one for their patients. It has been a pleasure to work with the Motomed company and we look forward to our continued correspondence in the future.
Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Kim Eberhardt, MS, OTR/L
Program Specialist
Spinal Cord Injury Program
Cheryl Vander Schoor
La Grange, IL 60525
USA
Dear Mrs. Stauch,
I’ve been living with MS for 25 years now and depend on my wheelchair in my daily life. When I saw the MOTOmed first in the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute, Willowbrook, IL, I realized of how much benefit this active/passive cycle trainer was for people with different conditions like stroke patients, cancer patients or children with disabilities. As I wish to be able to walk again I bought myself a MOTOmed viva2 leg trainer.
It is so good to have the MOTOmed in my home so that I can use it everyday. I am on it at least 30 min daily and I want to do more. It is definitely worth purchasing the machine comparing it to the cost I have to bear for other rehabilitation care. With the MOTOmed I can train independently on my own. Each session helps me strengthen my legs, increase stamina and stimulate circulation. The MOTOmed makes me work and feel good throughout the day.
I’d like to recommend the cycle trainer to everybody. Don’t be afraid of pain, if spasms occur the MOTOmed will stop pedaling and eases the pain by changing the direction again and again until your muscles have relaxed and you can go on cycling.
It is a wonderful product.
Best regards,
Cheryl Vander Schoor
My brother Kirk Pedersen had a severe spinal cord injury when his tree stand collapsed while hunting. For three months Kirk underwent therapy at a hospital that lacked modern rehabilitation equipment. Kirk’s progress was very minimal and the decision was made to transfer Kirk to the Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. World renowned Spinal Cord Injury Researcher, Dr. Susan Harkema directs the Frazier Rehab Institute (Lead Center for NueroRecovery Network). Upon arrival we could tell that the philosophy towards SCI rehab was very progressive and different. Rehab was based on active and weight bearing therapy.
Kirk engaged in Locomotor Training for five days a week and daily Motomed Training. One of Kirk’s high points in the day was when he was able to use the Motomed viva2. This machine got his legs moving after three months of sedation. The motor would initiate movement in his legs for about 30 seconds and then Kirk’s legs would take over and the motor would shut off. Although Kirk was not voluntarily moving his legs, his spinal cord below the level of injury was governing the action. Physically, Kirk’s body was doing the work on the Motomed.
Kirk made it a point to use the Motomed every single day. His goal was a minimum of one hour a day and on weekends he exercised on it for up to three hours. The changes in his body from this rehabilitative exercise were clearly evident. He began to experience muscle growth in his legs. His spasms began to decrease. And he began to increase sensation in his lower extremities (glutes and hamstrings). In addition, he often would use the hand bike portion of the Motomed daily as well. This continuous exercise strengthened his arms and allowed for greater function. Kirk’s avid use of the Motomed is documented on his website: www.symbolofstrength.com.
Both Kirk and his family have felt that the Motomed has played a pivotal role in Kirk’s recovery efforts. We will be acquiring a Motomed viva2 so that Kirk can continue his therapy while at home. We believe that this weight bearing, continuous exercise prove to be a foundation of Kirk’s journey toward recovery. We are so thankful that an innovative piece of equipment like the Motomed has provided hope for so many people suffering from neurological disorders.
Sincerely,
Brett Pedersen
(Kirk’s Brother)