Diane

Diane came to 3 Dimensional Physical Therapy in Cinnaminson last year looking to challenge herself.
In the Fall of 2023 Diane had a stroke that left her unable to walk, sit up straight or use the left side of her body. After the stroke Diane completed a fair amount of rehabilitation and had come a long way from where she started. By the time she came to 3DPT Cinnaminson, Diane was walking independently and had gained independence with a lot of mobility tasks.

But Diane wanted more for herself!
She still had a hard time using the left side of her body due to the way the stroke affected her, and she had significant coordination impairments, lack of sensation, and nerve pain throughout the left side of her body. She was already participating in a comprehensive home program to address strength, mobility, balance, and endurance, but felt as though she had more potential than she was able to harness on her own. Diane felt like she had hit a plateau in her recovery and was looking to be pushed 💪 

Diane and her PT, Dr. Brooke Chisholm began a program that involved strengthening and balance work in various positions, including standing, kneeling, and lunging. They incorporated object recognition, desensitization across the left side of her body, and many coordination tasks to address those impairments on the left side of her body. When Diane first started at 3DPT, Brooke asked her to complete a task where she had a ball held against the wall with her foot, and she was supposed to draw the alphabet on the wall with the ball. The first time she did this, she must have dropped the ball more than 15 times. Now, she is able to complete this task without dropping the ball once. This is a testament to the hard work she has put into improving her coordination and control. 

Over the past year, Diane has made tremendous strides in her recovery despite facing many challenges like back pain, low blood pressure, and the busyness of running her own hair salon. Diane has had reasons to put therapy on the back burner but she has always prioritized her rehabilitation and has taken any complications or challenges in stride. She never complains and instead focuses on the task at hand and considers the aspects of her journey she is able to control. 

Diane was selected as 3DPT’s May Patient of the Month because of her perseverance, desire to push herself, ability to challenge those around her, the way she challenges those around her (including Brooke!) to be better, and her willingness to try interventions “outside of the box.” She has worked extremely hard. Brooke believes she is a better therapist and has learned so much from having the opportunity to work with Diane. We can’t wait to see what else she is able to accomplish in her recovery journey!

Here’s what Diane had to say about her journey and her time at 3DPT Cinnaminson: 

1. Tell us about what brought you to physical therapy and how this affected your life.

I came to 3DPT in Cinnaminson 9 months after an accidental stroke. Brooke came highly recommended from one of my employees. At that time, I was at a “plateau” stage in my recovery and did require some medical aids. I firmly believed with the right therapist I could improve the multiple deficits I was facing. My therapist has incorporated a thought out therapy plan that has positively affected my life in moving forward. I am able to address my needs better and safer. I am also capable of doing things I was incapable of doing before such as going down stairs forward, walking on a treadmill without holding on and showering without a shower bench. Oh, what a wonderful feeling! Therapy at 3DPT is giving me my life back little by little 

2. Tell us a little about your recovery process. What has been the hardest part of your therapy?  What was your favorite part of physical therapy?

My recovery process is slow but I am making progress. I realize the journey does take patience, time and commitment to therapy.
The hardest part of therapy is recalling how my pre-stroke body operated and yearning for that to return.
My favorite part of my therapy is all of it! I embrace the dedication of the therapists and the exercises to help me improve in an environment that is friendly and professional.

Take a look at some of Diane’s rehab at 3DPT Cinnaminson

3.  What advice would you give to other people who suffered similar injuries or going through the same situation?

The advice I would share with other patients is to keep being committed to getting better, patience, loyalty to therapy, positive mindset and working as a team with the therapist.

4. Why would you recommend 3 Dimensional Physical Therapy?

I would highly recommend 3DPT because they deliver genuine care, knowledge, professionalism, and provide the patient with positive results. Brooke has given me such personalized care and attentiveness. She has thoroughly and creatively thought out my therapy keeping all my deficits in mind. She has successfully challenged me and helped me gain better confidence. Her eagerness for me to get back to the life I knew matches mine. This in itself is priceless and hard to find.

5. What is you looking forward to this summer?

This Summer I am looking forward to getting back to the things I enjoyed in this particular season like gardening, outdoor walks, baseball games or venturing out for the day. Thanks to 3DPT, I feel I can achieve this better now.

Physical therapy can help you achieve your goals too!
Click HERE to make an appointment with a 3DPT physical therapist