Special Tree

03/20/2026

Gait training is about more than walking—it builds balance, strength, endurance, and confidence for everyday life.

With the use of the Second Step Gait Harness System, gait training helps improve strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and confidence with mobility—supporting safer and more independent participation in ADLs.

Here is Donald 6 months post TBI working on his walking skills with PTA Nicole. Keep up the great work!🚶🏻💪🏼

03/20/2026

Rick serenading us with guitar playing this morning! Rick has been working extremely hard to get back to doing what he loves, which is music🎶🎸

03/13/2026

Stair management training post stroke is beneficial to promote task-specific improvement in dynamic balance, lower extremity strength, motor planning, gait efficiency, endurance, and safety with household/community mobility supporting increased functional independence and reduced fall risk.

Training on the stairs also improves dynamic balance and postural control because stair negotiation requires weight shifting, single-leg stance, trunk control, and coordinated stepping. Repetitive task practice for balance/stepping after stroke is recommended in rehab guidance.

Here is Warren with PTA Bryan working hard to make it a step closer to returning home!💪

03/11/2026

We’re so thankful to Jason Dennie for sharing such lovely music with us today!

03/09/2026

Here's some Monday Motivation!

03/06/2026

Did you know - the first wheelchair user to blast into space, Michi Benthaus, took flight this past winter?

"The 10-minute space-skimming flight required only minor adjustments to accommodate Benthaus, according to the company. That's because the autonomous New Shepard capsule was designed with accessibility in mind, 'making it more accessible to a wider range of people than traditional spaceflight,' said Blue Origin's Jake Mills, an engineer who trained the crew and assisted them on launch day."

Severely injured in a mountain bike accident seven years ago, Michaela Benthaus became the first wheelchair user in space, launching from West Texas with Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin.

03/06/2026

Functional reaching with the affected UE post-TBI is one of the most important, evidence-based interventions you can incorporate into rehab. It’s not just “arm exercise” — it directly drives neuro recovery and real-world independence.

Here’s why it matters 👇

🧠 1️⃣ Promotes Neuroplasticity

After a Traumatic Brain Injury, the brain needs:
• Repetition
• Task-specific movement
• Meaningful activity

💪 2️⃣ Improves Motor Control & Coordination

Reaching requires:
• Shoulder stability
• Elbow control
• Wrist positioning
• Grasp/release timing

🎯 3️⃣ Enhances Visual-Motor Integration

Functional reaching integrates:
• Visual scanning
• Depth perception
• Spatial awareness
• Attention

🏠 4️⃣Direct ADL Carryover

Reaching is foundational for:
• Grooming
• Dressing
• Feeding
• Kitchen tasks
• Laundry
• Community mobility

02/27/2026

What an incredible journey it has been for Mike. When he first came to Special Tree, walking wasn’t possible — and today, he’s walking out of here on his own! That kind of progress doesn’t happen by accident, it happened because of determination and the work he put in every single day.

It has been an honor to be part of Mike’s recovery and to watch his strength return step by step. Walking out today isn’t just a physical milestone — it’s a symbol of how far he’s come.

Mike- We are so proud of you. Keep moving forward!! 💪

02/26/2026

🌟 Throwback Thursday! 🌟 Thinking back to past adaptive gaming events. We love finding creative ways to make activities, sports, and hobbies accessible. 🎮💪 With specialized hand and mouth controls, video games are easier to play, providing fun and supporting cognitive rehab too! Let's keep breaking barriers together! ❤️

02/24/2026

One For All. 🔥

Don’t miss the Opening Ceremony on March 6 at 1:30 PM ET on Peacock TV and USA Network.

02/20/2026

Core stability is foundational after a spinal cord injury because the trunk acts as the body’s central control system for posture, movement, breathing, and functional independence. In rehab, improving trunk control is often one of the strongest predictors of overall recovery. 💪🏼

After SCI, trunk muscles may be weak, paralyzed, or poorly coordinated. Without core stability:
• sitting upright becomes difficult
• balance reactions are delayed or absent
• fall risk increases

Improving trunk activation:
• enhances static and dynamic sitting balance
• allows hands to be freed for functional tasks (eating, grooming, transfers)

In rehab, trunk training is often prioritized early because improvements here accelerate progress in other domains. Here is Chris with OT working on his core stability while in unsupported long sitting!