Testimonial from AnnaMaria Baraglia

My love story with Saebo began in October 2008.  I was just released from in-patient rehab to a day rehab.  The day rehab was 3 hours a day for 3 days a week.  My rehabilitation plan was for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.  The therapy trifecta!  I was still in the early stages of my stroke recovery, so my brain was in the prime to be rewired.  I was making small gains here and there, but recovery was SLOW.  I really was getting discouraged.  From an athletic 27 year old woman that spent multiple hours in the gym, went to a 27 year old woman that wasn’t able to really walk, dress herself, or remember what I just ate.  It was frustrating!!!

I was making little gains here and there, but in my mind as a patient, I wasn’t accomplishing anything.  Now my mind as an occupational therapy student, I think back and I was doing awesome.  From the little movement I had in my left hand and slight shoulder movement, I was a “perfect candidate” for the Saeboflex from Saebo.  Those were my OT’s words, not mine.  I never even heard of this company, let alone any equipment they had.  She then gave me a pamphlet from this company that I never heard of.  I took the pamphlet home and was reading over and over from front to back.  I liked what I read.

Patients that used equipment from Saebo were stating they got function back after years post stroke.  I was then all over the internet finding videos of patients in different stages of stroke recovery that were actually doing things for themselves by moving their hands, arms, and fingers!  I was SOLD to the idea.  I wanted my life back!  The next time in rehab, I gave my answer to my OT, I wanted this Saeboflex. I wanted it NOW!  She was certified to use Saebo products, so she had her measuring tape and forms all ready to go.  When my Saeboflex came, I was like a kid on Christmas.  I used it vigorously.  I was determined to get my life back.

Since the Saeboflex was mine, I brought it home.  I would watch TV and use it with balls, and exercises that I was just making up as I went along. I would wear it as I was just sitting lounging around because I loved the feeling of my hand being open. When I closed it, my fingers would retract back open. AWESOME!  When I “graduated” from day rehab, I was able to open and close my fingers….on my own. I was still weak, but 100% better than when I had first entered rehab.

My next venture was out-patient rehab.  My new OT was also Saebo certified. Score!  She incorporated the Saeboflex in my therapy.  She was giving me more activities to do  that utilized many more movements of my arm.  With these exercises, my shoulder range of motion was improving tremendously as well as my fine motor coordination. Day after day, I would use my Saeboflex one way or another.  By the time I “graduated” outpatient rehab, I almost had full function of my hand.  I couldn’t believe it.

To this day, I say Saebo played a huge part in my recovery.  I am so glad my therapist introduced this company to me.  It changed my life.  The only advice I could give is to be patient.  Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither we were.  Stroke recovery is slow, but you never stop recovering.  Any little gain is huge. I’m glad Saebo was there to help.  Being a stroke survivor that had left sided paralysis, I typed this with two hands.  I thank Saebo for that.

-AnnaMaria Baraglia

Do you have a Saebo love story?  Please share!

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Whether you are a caregiver, occupational therapist or even a stroke survivor yourself, Saebo  provides stroke survivors young or old access to transformative and life changing products. We pride ourselves on providing affordable, easily accessible, and cutting-edge solutions to people suffering from impaired mobility and function. We have several products to help with the stroke recovery and rehabilitation process.  From the SaeboFlex, which allows clients to incorporate their hand functionally in therapy or at home, to the SaeboMAS, an unweighting device used to assist the arm during daily living tasks and exercise training, we are commitment to helping create innovative products for stroke recovery.  Check out all of our product offerings or let us help you find which product is right for you.