From Wheelchair to Working Out Independently:

How Burke Helped Bruce Reclaim His Life

When Bruce fractured his neck after a terrible fall in January 2025, he and his wife Janet faced an uncertain future. The former CFO, who had been experiencing cognitive decline and balance issues, was being evaluated at White Plains Hospital, unable to walk or perform even basic tasks independently. He was not medically able to go home—but fortunately, there was a bed available at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. 

"As soon as we got here, I felt like I could breathe a sigh of relief," Janet recalls. "I could feel that he was in such great hands."

At Burke, Bruce needed total assistance with showering, dressing, and mobility. But more concerning were the unanswered questions about his declining health. Janet had been observing challenging symptoms for years and more significantly for months. Doctors had ruled out Parkinson's Disease, while searching for a clear answer.

"It was the first time he had been in one place where I could really share everything that I had been observing and experiencing," Janet explains. "They put us on a path to help us understand what was going on and how to go forward.”

After his inpatient stay at Burke and two weeks at a subacute facility, Bruce returned to Burke for outpatient therapy. During this time, neuropsychological testing revealed a difficult diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia. "It was devastating," Janet admits. "But we remain positive.”

"His mantra every session was, 'This diagnosis isn't going to define me. I can still do what I want to do,” Marissa Lamoree, PT, DPT, Bruce’s outpatient physical therapist notes. “As a therapist, that was pretty inspiring to see."

A Team Approach to Recovery

Bruce's rehabilitation required addressing multiple challenges: his neck fracture, balance issues, cognitive difficulties, and the manifestations of Lewy Body. The Burke team worked collaboratively, with frequent communication about what each discipline was addressing.

Marissa focused on Bruce's balance and endurance, using strategies effective for Parkinson's. She incorporated dual-task training—combining physical and cognitive challenges—knowing this was where Bruce struggled most. "Rather than emphasizing the losses, we celebrated the wins," explains Marissa, who is a Level 1 Physical Therapist. When Bruce walked on a treadmill while participating in a matching game on a computer screen, she would say, "Remember last week we had a really hard time doing this, and now you're doing it this week and it's so much better."

Occupational Therapist Casey Fiola, OTR/L, worked on helping Bruce regain independence in daily activities. She taught him modified techniques for dressing with his neck precautions, how to navigate the kitchen with a walker, and how to retrieve food and beverages independently. "Little by little, he just began to take over doing more things at home," Casey remembers. "I saw him gain a lot of confidence in a big way."

The therapists worked together seamlessly. When Bruce wanted to carry groceries up the stairs, Casey coordinated with Marissa, who had been working on stair climbing. "We worked together, to ensure Bruce became increasingly comfortable with the task,” Casey explains.

Susan Russo, speech language pathologist, addressed Bruce's cognitive challenges and word retrieval difficulties. She worked with his wife on strategies he could use at home and incorporated fun, cognitively stimulating activities. "We would play games like Connect Four and Dominoes," Susie recalls. "He started playing the games with his grandchildren, and he'd come and report back how many times they beat him and how much fun it was."

Supporting the Whole Family

Janet was an integral part of Bruce's care team. The therapists kept her informed and involved, helping her make their home safer with railings and grab bars. "I always felt like it was a partnership," Janet says. "They just really brought me in as Bruce's wife to be part of the whole process."

During this challenging time, Janet found crucial support at the Marsal Caregiver Center at Burke. "Our lives changed in a minute. It was hard," she reflected. "That place was beautiful. It was just such a great place for me to get some space and to regroup and to find support." Not to mention the snacks—"I gained five pounds," she laughs, "but that was a small price to pay.”

She also discovered a caregiver support group, which she joined when she was ready, and has shared the resource with others.  

The Journey Forward

Bruce's progress was measurable and remarkable. On his first day with Marissa, he walked 770 feet in six minutes using a rolling walker. Four months later, upon discharge, he walked 1,062 feet without any assistive device.

But the numbers tell only part of the story. Bruce transitioned from a walker to a cane, and now walks independently. He went from needing two people to help him shower to managing on his own. And most importantly, he returned to the Burke Fitness Center—a place he had frequented before his fall and desperately wanted to get back to.

"Going to the gym was a real turning point," Bruce reflects. "It let me feel that I've turned the corner." He now works out independently, stays physically active with family and helps around the house, including carrying those groceries up the stairs. 

Marissa occasionally sees Bruce at the fitness center. "He looks like a completely different person than when we first saw him," she says. The staff came to know Bruce so well that Susie joked he was "the mayor of Burke."

Today, Bruce maintains the strategies he learned at Burke, using cognitive apps, and playing games with his grandchildren. "I'm doing a lot of fun things in retirement," he says. "I feel good."

While the path ahead may be uncertain, Janet sums up their journey simply: "Bruce has worked so hard, he has so much perseverance and determination. He is my hero."