HealthSouth successful in treating traumatic brain injury Five years ago, life for Joe DeGennaro, a former Long Beach Island resident, changed forever as he was practicing skateboarding in San Diego.Often he would take to the road when practicing for his competitions as a professional downhill skateboarder and avid surfer.At age 33,DeGennaro was hit by a car and as a result he suffered a traumatic brain injury. In a split second DeGennaro's life was forever changed and for his mother, Michelle DeGennaro,back home in New Jersey,a devastating phone call from the emergency room with news that her son would most likely not survive.That evening,he underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. Joe DeGennaro walks up stairs with the help of his physical therapist, Patrick Neuls. Upon her arrival at the hospital in San Diego,Michelle learned that her son had suffered a catastrophic brain injury consisting of a subdural hematoma with a midline shift, leaving DeGennaro in a comatose state.The doctors were not hopeful that his life would be more than that of a vegetative state.His mother refused to give up,and refused to let her son go and never gave up hope.Several weeks later, DeGennaro opened his eyes and began to blink.Michelle knew that her son was there and that they needed to come home. Joe DeGennaro works on the AutoAmbulator with therapists Phaedra Rossi and Patrick Neuls. DeGennaro arrived at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital inToms River in December of 2002 as a resident of the Neurologically Impaired Program for YoungAdults (NIPS),unable to sit up, talk or move independently.The Neurologically Impaired Program provides skilled nursing care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It offers highly attentive,high-quality patient care to meet each individual's needs in addition to an interdisciplinary team that delivers customized therapeutic services to improve the physical,psychological, social and emotional function of each person.To ensure continuity of care, each resident is assigned a team consisting of a physician,nurses, therapists and other professionals,who maintain treatment plans and measure progress.Four and half years later,DeGennaro is still a resident at HealthSouth but the story of his recovery continues each day. When you first meet DeGennaro,you see beyond his limitations.You are immediately captivated by his smile,eyes and alertness.Michelle comes every day to be by her son's side.Michelle has never given up hope that her son will make significant advances in his physical and cognitive limitations, and today expects even more progress. The last six months DeGennaro has improved by leaps and bounds. When you sit down and talk with both Joe and Michelle you are immediately taken by the love of a mother and by the gratitude of a son.DeGennaro uses his foot to touch his mother's leg as a sign that"I am here," "thank you"and"let's get moving." Recovery for DeGennaro has been slow,and at times frustrating,as he longs to go home.The journey of recovery following a serve brain injury can and often will last lifetime.HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital ofToms River continues to work with DeGennaro,utilizing the most advance techniques in physical and occupational therapies with the goal that one day he may return home as he hopes. Recently,DeGennaro has gone from not being able to move, to sitting in an electric wheelchair, to walking with the assistance of his therapists.His mother always knew that DeGennaro would sit up, that he would begin to move,and has continued to support her son in his recovery. Using theAutoAmbulator and encouraged by his dedicated physical therapists Patrick Neuls and Phaedra Rossi, Joe has experienced significant improvement in his walking abilities. Neuls and Rossi both commented that,"Joe has made amazing progress.Ten months ago Joe was wheelchairbound; he couldn't do anything.Now he can climb stairs. He can ambulate (walk) with very little assistance and his limitations are only determined by him.Currently, Joe is working on improving his endurance during standing and improving his walking.We don't know where this will end up; this is unprecedented." TheAutoAmbulator,unique to HealthSouth, is a sophisticated treadmill device unparalleled in its ability to help patients replicate normal walking patterns.Using the therapeutic concept of body weight, supported ambulation and robotics, theAuto-Ambulator simulates normal walking motion.For most with a walking impairment, theAuto-Ambulator may help advance their rehabilitation process. A few weeks ago,DeGennaro walked with a walker with minimal assistance."I always knew that Joe could do this. It is his courage,determination and desire to go home that has been Joe's strength,"comments Michelle. "His therapists,Patrick and Phaedra,believe in Joe.They keep encouraging him to try, to never give up.The first time Joe stood and walked everyone in the gym was cheering and some were crying." DeGennaro continues to be an inspiration to the patients at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital inToms River. It is his spirit of endless hope that has encouraged others not to give up. With the help of his occupational therapist,Robin Rodeghiero,O.T.and Neuro-IFRAH instructor,DeGennaro works with specialized equipment to help build his skills. One technology currently being used is the Interactive Metronome.This device is a brain-based rehabilitation assessment and training program developed to directly improve the processing abilities that affect attention,motor planning and sequencing.This in turn strengthens motor skills, including mobility and gross motor function and many fundamental cognitive capacities such as planning, organizing and language. Each day DeGennaro continues to reach new milestones that five years ago seemed impossible. It is only through his mother's love and constant support that De- Gennaro has been able to continue to improve. Together they make a great team. Both DeGennaro and his mother see each day as one day closer to going home. HealthSouth is the nation's largest provider of inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services,with two hospitals located inTinton Falls andToms River.The Rehabilitation Hospital ofToms River is an acute rehabilitation specialty hospital offering state-of-the-art technology,comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services and an interdisciplinary team approach to treatment. HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital ofToms River has combined years of rehabilitation experience with compassionate and caring rehabilitation professionals to provide the highest level of care for patients that have experienced a traumatic injury or illness such as a brain injury. For more information regarding the variety of services including brain injury programs offered at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital ofToms River andTinton Falls, visit www.healthsouthrehabtr.com or call (732) 244-3100 inToms River or www.rehabnj.com or call (732) 460- 5327 inTinton Falls.