When Jonty went into hospital for routine rotator cuff surgery, he expected to be home very soon afterwards. In fact, he didn’t leave hospital for 84 days as he suffered a spinal stroke during his operation leaving him with three paralysed limbs.
After eight weeks of intensive rehab, Jonty saw a significant improvement in his lower body and could walk quite well. However, he was still weak in his upper body and his hands remained largely unresponsive.
“I had to use my hands like shovels as I had no movement in my fingers, hands or wrists,” recalls Jonty. “Also, I was advised that this might not improve, which was hard to hear.”
When Jonty started at Neurokinex, tests showed signals were getting through to his hands and, astonishingly, the middle finger in his right hand flexed in response to the stimulus. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” says Jonty. “Finally, I had something to work with.”
Here at Neurokinex we have one of only three specialised neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices in the country. This high-parameter device stimulates Jonty’s nervous system in such a way that it promotes recovery of his upper body and hands.
Focusing on goal-based functional moves, Neurokinex helps clients regain independence and confidence. The gains may seem small, but they make a difference to daily life. “Getting back even simple things – like being able to push my glasses up my nose – make a huge difference to my day-to-day. Before going to Neurokinex, I didn’t have the strength in my arms to raise my hands that high,” explains Jonty.
Jonty is the CEO of the Beckmead Trust which runs 16 special schools in London and the South East which care for children with social, emotional and mental health issues and those with autism and challenging behaviour. One role that he loves to fulfil is being Father Christmas at the residential Wells Park Primary School in Chigwell. However, he had to tell the headmaster that he wouldn’t be able to do this role after he lost the full use of his hands.
When Neurokinex heard about Jonty declining the chance to be Father Christmas, we began working specifically on picking up, holding and passing movements so he could fulfil this role which was so important to him.
“After just a few sessions working specifically on arm strength and hand motion, I called the Headmaster and told him to cancel the reserve Father Christmas!,” continues Jonty who went on to hand out all the gifts to the youngsters.
“This is just one example of how Neurokinex is making me think differently. They don’t take ‘no’ for an answer: they say you can do this and indeed I can! Before I started at Neurokinex, such a recovery was hard to imagine. They are the most phenomenal people and I can’t praise them highly enough. Their therapies are really effective and they’ve given me hope for my future.”
