Motion Project Foundation Inc announces the grand opening of the first and only Western New York facility helping individuals with neuromuscular conditions such as spinal cord injuries: The Natalie Barnhard Center for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery.
The grand opening ceremony will take place on September 29, 2021, between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM EDT with the ribbon cutting at 6:00 PM EDT.
Motion Project Foundation was developed to assist individuals who suffered a spinal cord injury and their families to put recovery in motion, rise above from the catastrophic injury and improve their overall health.
From her own experience, Natalie Barnhard, PTA, LMT, Founder and President, recognized the value of technology in rehabilitation. Partnering with DIH Technology Inc, the center is the first to bring the utmost robotic rehabilitation devices to the community, with the Lokomat Pro Sensation and Armeo Spring in Western New York (WNY).
“I know firsthand that a lot goes into post rehabilitative care. Activity-Based Therapy (ABT) is a huge focus for us, so the equipment and devices in our center have to be the best.”
“We invested over a million dollars so far to ensure we have the safest, most effective and most advanced equipment available. Knowing there is not another Lokomat within hundreds of miles of Western New York that treats both adults and children has inspired me to bring this cutting-edge technology to this community. DIH is leading the charge towards finding solutions and building technologies that can be used across various rehabilitation platforms, making it a perfect partner for us.”
— Natalie Barnhard
Backed by Years of Clinical Research
The Armeo Spring is an ergonomic and adjustable exoskeleton that guides the arm and hand training through tailored arm weight support. Randomized controlled trials report the Armeo positive results in improving the quality of movement, arm function, muscle strength, range of motion, pain and spasticity, activities of daily living, and cognitive function.
The Lokomat is a robot-assisted therapy device that enables effective and intensive training to increase the strength of leg muscles and the range of motion of joints in order to improve or relearn walking. The Lokomat provides a safe environment in which people can train walking albeit they are very severely injured or have experienced an injury just recently. Even in individuals with complete spinal cord injury, who have very little to no control over their lower limbs, Lokomat training can lead to neuroplastic changes and secondary benefits such as regulation of bowel and bladder function.
Both devices are pediatric ready, safe, and effective for treating children with an extensive library of motivating game-like Augmented Performance Feedback exercises for best training experience.
During the ceremony, DIH will proudly recognize Motion Project as a DIH Technology Vanguard Center and Wellness Partner and the first and only center in Western New York to offer the Lokomat Pro therapy for adults and children.
“We are so excited to be the first and only place for the WNY community that will meet the needs of those living with neurological conditions to help transform their lives,” Barnhard adds.
“We are putting recovery in motion for those living with a spinal cord injury, children, veterans, and those who struggle with various forms of paralysis. Our collaboration with the University at Buffalo will create research opportunities and learning experiences for the various programs offered through the University in the fields of exercise physiology, exercise science, PT, OT, MD, RN and MSW. This will be a place of community and will be felt by everyone – you’re not alone through this – Together We Move.”
“From our first meeting, we recognized in Natalie our own passion to help individuals recover and enjoy life again. We are thrilled to be a partner of MotionProject Foundation and help Natalie make her dreamed, state-of-the-art rehabilitation center a reality.”
— Jeffrey C. Stoner, Director of Sales, Americas DIH
[Source: DIH Technology Inc]
