Life Care of Nashoba Valley helps accident survivor recover from TBI

Hubbardston, Massachusetts, resident Shevonne Legere recently returned home after suffering a traumatic brain injury as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Legere was involved in the accident on Nov. 4, 2015, riding as a passenger. She came to Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton, Massachusetts, on March 9, 2016, after months in the hospital. The injury left her with weakness and dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, as well as post-traumatic seizures.

When Legere first arrived at the skilled nursing and rehab center, she was not able to walk and needed total assistance to use a wheelchair. She needed extensive assistance with daily tasks like grooming, bathing, getting dressed, standing balance and even rolling over in bed.

Physical therapists worked with Legere to recover her strength, range of motion, balance and mobility. They used electrical stimulation to help recondition her joints and muscles and had her practice walking with the LiteGait, an exercise machine that consists of a supported-weight harness and a treadmill so patients can reduce joint impact and fall risk as they practice their gait. The Biodex balance machine was also a helpful tool in her rehab.

Occupational therapy focused on helping Legere regain her ability to do her daily tasks at home – from grooming and bathing to cooking and going out in the community. She made lasagna for the rehab team and took part in an outing toward the end of her therapy.

Legere returned home on Aug. 30, 2018, independent in bed mobility, sitting balance, grooming, self-feeding and transfers (moving from one surface to another, such as a bed to a chair). She can now walk, stand, bathe and dress with supervision. She has support from her family and a visiting nurse.

"To see her walk out of our facility was a miracle," said Lina Le, director of marketing. "She is quite a success!"