Neurokinetix was a miraculous experience. Coordinating drivers, socializing with friends, and the neurological rehabilitation program itself, changed my life in every way.
My Angel Lift drivers lovingly, punctually, and safely transported me from Dallas to Fort Worth every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In the beginning, even the car ride had a tendency to be grueling. Sitting still was impossible as I covertly tried to put my body back in place. My nervous system was falling apart! At least that’s how it felt. I’d spend a portion of the hour reassuring my driver to ignore the involuntary squiggles and wiggles as we traversed between silly memories and deep conversations. They tried to keep one eye on me and one eye on the road. I could tell my reassurance wasn’t exactly reassuring. By the time we arrived at Neurokinetix, the drive in the front seat became my warm-up. I was ready to get moving and start officially exercising.
I don’t recall wanting anything more, in decades, than an opportunity at Neurokinetix. I was excited to see how my body would react to consistent exercise, while standing, with true gravitational force. I wanted it so badly that I made a promise to myself… Even on my worst day, I would try – with a smile on my face.
The medical director, Dr. Bryan Wood was a great encourager. I’ll never forget the first time I talked to him. He told me, “Kèep the faith and stay hopeful”.These words meant the world to me.
Dr. Wood understood the physical effort it took just to get there, especially with the long commute. He also ran a tight ship. There wasn’t much room for tardiness, or squiggles and wiggles, since he was looking out for the good of all of his patients. But, I was a little taken aback when he asked me to sign an unofficial, “contract”. This contract had 3 requests…
- Arrive early – I was confused with this one since I usually arrived at 1 PM for a 2 PM appointment. I was only late once – and I called.
- No assistance outside the building from Neurokinetix staff – pelvic issues made transferring from the car seat to my wheelchair difficult. The staff was prohibited to help because of liability reasons.
- Stop squirming – all of my squirming and wiggling was taking up too much time to lie down on the hyperbaric chamber bed which could potentially back up the schedule for other patients. Easier said than done. It was like asking a duck not to quack! QUACK!
To most people, these issues might seem like minor infractions. I wish I could say the same. So, this rule follower, followed the rules. I wasn’t going to let these detours derail me. Not when I knew Neurokinetix was the best.
This facility housed the most technologically advanced rehabilitation equipment in North Texas for people with disabilities:
Lokomat – A robotic exoskeleton + treadmill system designed for intensive gait training and balance recovery.
Andago – A motor-driven, dynamic body-weight support system helping patients walk naturally over ground.
Erigo – A tilt-table capable of passive stepping and vertical positioning, ideal for early mobility post-injury.
Armeo Power & Armeo Spring – Robotic arm systems that support and guide upper-limb movements to help regain arm/hand function.
Diego – A shoulder–arm rehabilitation device (also referred to as DIEGO®).
Amadeo – A multi-finger robotic glove system for hands, enabling precise finger and hand movement therapy.
Bioness – Likely referencing functional electrical stimulation (FES) devices to assist walking and limb function.
Hunova – A robotic platform for lower-limb and balance rehabilitation, offering comprehensive postural and motor control training.
ZeroG – A robotic body-weight support used for gait, balance training, and real-world mobility practice.
In addition to robotics therapists would creatively include more traditional exercise with weights, a standing frame, battle ropes, and a host of other exercise paraphernalia.
But the piece of equipment that transformed my body the most was the ZeroG Gait and Balance System.
The ZeroG helps physically challenged people exercise by reducing gravity’s effects, and by making movement easier and less painful. Before I could use it, my therapist, Amber, would strap me into what looked like a rock-climbing harness while I would lie flat on a therapy table. She’d slide towels under the straps for comfort, tighten everything securely, and double-check all the fittings. Once I was set, she’d transfer me back into my wheelchair and hook me into the ZeroG system, lifting me about 10 feet into the air. I was flying, just like Peter Pan!
I’d land on a large box positioned between two parallel bars, with my feet just touching the floor. That’s when the real fun would begin. My assignment? Fifty sit-to-stand leg squats and arm dips. It didn’t sound too hard, especially with the ZeroG system offloading part of my body weight, making movement easier. Amber started me at a 50% offload.
As I pushed my heels into the floor and pressed up and down on the bars, my body shook like maracas on a vibrating power plate. Sweat poured. My heart raced. For the first time in 43 years, my body was fully engaged while standing, and truly feeling the impact of gravity. It was tough, but I was determined not to quit. I battled through and hit my 50 rep goal.
Over the next eight months, the ZeroG became a consistent part of my life twice a week, improving strength and endurance. Before I knew it, I was performing 500 squats and 500 dips.The Zero-G also helped me stretch from a permanent sitting position to one where I was standing straight and tall. Each session brought an energetic exhaustion. It had been ages since I felt my body work so hard, yet simultaneously, so masterfully. I anxiously awaited my next go-a-round on the Zero-G. This machine absolutely changed my life!
Neurokinetix not only had the best equipment, but they had the best therapists. The dream team included three incredible physical therapists—Amber, Maddie, and Dana—along with aides Jazz and Brie. These women worked together like a well-oiled machine. Skilled in neuro rehabilitation, they helped me, as well as many others, gain unimaginable progress!
Sadly, the medical director, Dr. Brian Wood passed away in September 2022, causing Neurokinetix to temporarily close. With my nose pressed to the glass, I am eagerly awaiting the day for Neurokinetix to reopen, open, open… All in strides of faith.