No matter what causes it, living with paralysis can make living a healthy life difficult. Hear four personal stories of people who have refused to back down and have started to use exercise as their medicine.
Andrew Castro has been a loyal client of The Perfect Step Facility for three years. He has entrusted the specialists and staff with his recovery journey, and through activity-based therapy, he has seen major improvements in his everyday life.
Before attending The Perfect Step, Castro was involved in a car crash that left him paralyzed. Following the accident, he began his initial physical therapy under Casa Colina’s inpatient and outpatient care.
“When I first entered The Perfect Step one of my short term goals was to sleep better. There were nights that I would only sleep 2-3 hours in my bed. Working out at The Perfect Step helps me release some of the stress which was not allowing me to sleep well. Some of the future goals I am setting for myself, and that I know The Perfect Step will help me attain, are to be able to stand and walk again even if it is with the assistance of a walker or cane. This will allow me to return to work sooner and finish my Bachelor’s Degree. Thank you TPS!”
“My goals are to be independent so that I can live on my own. My ultimate goal is to walk again! I have been working on my transfers more, and little by little I am gaining the ability to do that more on my own. ”
“My favorite thing about TPS is the environment. Everybody at TPS is very welcoming and the specialists are helpful and friendly. So far The Perfect Step has helped become so much stronger which not only has helped me to progress in my sessions at therapy but has also given me the confidence to return back to school for my Senior year of High School!”
“The Perfect Step helps me slow down the progression of my diagnosis and increases my independence. Exercise is my medicine and TPS shares that same value. Giving me access to knowledgeable therapists and the the necessary equipment has given me a space and the motivation to reach my recovery goals. Thank you for giving me hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you TPS for helping with my recovery journey.”
“My workout sessions at TPS make me want to strive for success in areas beyond what I would have thought I could do before I started at TPS. It’s helped me learn to cope and change for the better certain things that I didn’t have to deal with before my injury. It’s also helped me find a community of people who understand and have an idea of what it’s like to face similar challenges.”
“The Perfect Step has given me a new outlook and motivation by helping me realize that there is still a life to live after my accident. I feel revived and motivated after every session. Thank you TPS for helping me realize my potential and treating me like an able bodied person. I’m looking forward to what this year has in store for me.”
“ The Perfect Step has given me that extra hope that the doctors could not give me. I had my doubts but as I am doing my workouts at The Perfect Step week after week, I am not only getting stronger but also getting confidence in moving my body in ways I could not do before coming here. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!”
“I have gained so much physical strength and coordination back since attending therapy at The Perfect Step that I can now take slightly unassisted steps while at therapy - an unimaginable improvement from where I started. I love being at TPS and being able to hear other client’s stories. They give me hope and make me very grateful. Interacting with and watching other clients allows me to see that life is not over. I love being at TPS with so many positive and uplifting people.”
“ I have made significant progress in my recovery since starting to attend therapy at The Perfect Step. I have been able to come out of my depressive state and be more confident with myself and go out and do the things I loved to do before my diagnosis. I continue to break barriers that doctors told me I would never do again. Thank you TPS for instilling hope back into my life!”
“Because of The Perfect Step I have got back my independence in doing many daily chores and activities like getting myself dressed and feeding myself. I do not even want to think about where my recovery would be without TPS - definitely not where I am at today!”
“The atmosphere at The Perfect Step is amazing! The staff is enthusiastic, kind and emboldened. The positivity is contagious and inspires me to continue being hopeful and invested in my journey and recovery.”
“My experience at The Perfect Step for the past four years I was there was unlike any other. Not only was it a great work environment, but it was awesome to see the clients come in and make progress and see how they progress as well in their lives. It’s a great place, with great people, a great environment. 10 out of 10, I would highly recommend it.”
“The Perfect Step is a 5-star facility. I love the gym setting and sometimes you feel like you wake up and don’t feel like going to the gym but I’ve never had that feeling and look forward to coming to TPS every day.”
“For the last 2 years, I have been able to attend therapy on a more regular basis. As such, I have seen better consistency of results. One of the biggest changes I have noticed is the spasticity of my legs is a little more controlled. My legs are always very tight and heavy before therapy. After they are very compliant, which makes moving them around a little less of a chore. I plan to continue my therapy at The Perfect Step as often as possible, as the benefits are so very worth it. ”
“I love the one-on-one care that you get at TPS, and the Specialists know what I need and can provide a way to reach my goals and work with me to get me where I need to be. The Perfect Step has improved my posture. Additionally, my daily functioning has improved, and an increase in my independence. For me, I enjoy feeling good, and being able to feel good this far post-injury is such a positive to not just my body but my mental health as well. The environment and atmosphere here is something that I really enjoy and that’s why I keep coming back here. ”
“The Perfect Step is meaningful to me because it allows me to live a healthier lifestyle, and significantly increase my strength in my body and in my everyday life. The Perfect Step has been one of the only places that gave me a chance to come into therapy and it’s something I’m grateful for. I’ve tried other places and it’s nowhere near the training that I need for my situation. I thrive on the environment in the building, the trainers, and the training they give me. It’s like no other and it’s been a real journey.”
"Without the help of TPS I would not have realized that I had the capability to move my right arm and hand. I enjoy the people and my trainers and the relationships that I have made at TPS. I love coming here for the lively atmosphere, gym-like setting, conversations, and results that I get from TPS. I choose to stay at TPS because of the progress and what I’ve been able to do!"
"I believe that TPS has acquired its unique persona through its everlasting pursuit of progress, rooted in not only its methodology and practices but also each trainer’s rigorous attention to detail for each individual they interact with. Personally, I have strived to leave each session with something gained. That doesn’t only mean physically but seeing the bigger picture mentally as well. If you are looking for a place to not only achieve higher health goals and literally leave mentally and physically exhausted there is no better place than The Perfect Step for that journey into recovery.!"
"My favorite thing about TPS is the environment. It is safe, friendly, motivating, and most importantly non-judgmental. The therapists really connect with you and meet you where you are at, whether it’s as a new injury or advanced, minimal range of motion or more advanced, etc. This environment really makes therapy enjoyable and with no pressure!"
"Not any other place like this. Goes far above and beyond average physical therapy. A specialization that needs more awareness so people can live healthy lives regardless of their physical condition. Thank you all for everything you do!"
"This place is amazing. Critical to progression from any sort of paralysis. The staff are super friendly and the place is built on the family atmosphere. Highly recommended to anyone. Hal Hargrave has provided an environment that is much needed in the paralysis community.”
“Without TPS I wouldn’t be able to get the extensive workouts that I do. The knowledge and skill set that the staff has, and the specialized equipment allows me to get treatment that I would not be able to find elsewhere.”
“You may have put limits on yourself now because you can’t do the activities you wanted or used to do, but with the right people to help you and some hard work you can crush the limits you have on yourself. That’s TPS.”
“The Perfect Step is not only a great place to work out, it also provides its clients with great friends and an amazing community.”
“TPS has provided me somewhere where I can go workout and not worry if I can use the equipment or not. If I have overdone it with my arm workouts the staff is always willing to help get me back into my truck.”
“When I first came to TPS in 2013 I was using my walker and my wheelchair. Now I can stand and walk on my own.”
“The Perfect Step is the family and community that motivates and inspires me every day.”
“The Perfect Step to me is a quality life after a traumatic change.”
