After falling at her home this spring, intense therapy helped Ada Brignatty regain mobility and speech.
“I had an accidental fall at my home in Puerto Rico this past March,” Ada said. “It caused dangerous bleeding in the brain, and pain.”
After surgery, Ada needed a week in the ICU followed by two weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. Her daughters brought her to Atlanta to start the process.
“I was evaluated by the therapists and on all three disciplines: physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech,” she said. “Initially I couldn’t walk, stand up, bathe or care for myself. I recall feeling confused, scared and unsure of my recovery.”
Ada received occupational therapy and physical therapy twice a week for 12 weeks. She completed speech therapy twice a week for 16 weeks, then once a week for four weeks.
“I have recovered physically back to my normal activities: walking, climbing stairs, bathing, taking care of myself, even light housework,” Ada said. “For speech, there has been a lot of improvement, but I still have difficulty remembering words at times. Some memories are lost.”
Six months after the fall, Ada said she feels fine, with no illnesses or additional challenges. “Rehab gave me a chance to go back to my healthy life at 91 years of age,” she said. “My family has given me the opportunity to return to normal life with their care and attention.”
Ada said the therapists she worked with through Northside Hospital Rehabilitation Services “are very professional, caring, patient and accepting.”
“They cheered me up,” she said. “Brooke (Paige, DPT, a physical therapist) stimulated me to do the exercises in a fun way. Samantha (Elliott, OTR/L, MSOT, an occupational therapist) was very sweet and calm. She helped me do the therapy with equipment, explaining how it worked and even printing pictures and material to follow at home.
“Nikki (Kong, CCC-SLP, a speech language pathologist) has made a personal connection, and we love to chat about gardening. She explains how the brain reacts to injury and reconnects in new ways. That helps me understand what is happening to me.
“All three have been very supportive during this time.”
Learn more about rehabilitation services at Northside.
