The Road to Recovery–Rehabilitation Therapy Benefits Young & Old

More than 86% of all VNA clients are over age 60 and the fastest growing segment of its client population is 80 and older. However, VNA care also makes a difference for younger people with physical and cognitive impairments due to illnesses, injuries or disabilities.

Christina (Tina) Witowksy has loved music her entire life – and a stroke at age 16 hasn’t deterred the pursuit of her passion. Today, at 22, she’s taking a choir course for disabled students at Morris County College, devoting hours to practicing her craft and has even established her own small business venture, “Tina Tunes.”

The road back hasn’t been easy for this resilient young woman, but she continues to make progress with ongoing VNA rehabilitation therapy. Since returning home from an extended stay at an inpatient facility, skilled VNA physical, occupational and speech therapists have helped her to slowly but steadily regain lost upper and lower body functions, as well as her speaking skills.

Cassie Leary, occupational therapist, has focused on ensuring that Tina learned to write and perform routine functions such as getting dressed and fixing her hair with her right hand and arm while simultaneously working on restoration of function to her left upper extremities.

​David Bresslour, physical therapist, is helping Tina regain her mobility. In fact, with his encouragement, she now occasionally gets upstairs and spends time in her former second floor bedroom, a task that’s symbolic of progress for both Tina and her mother/primary caregiver, Mercedes.

Occupational Therapist Cassie Leary enjoys spending time with client Tina Witowsky and listening to her sing. With the help of VNA rehabilitation therapists, Tina, who experienced a stroke as a teenager, has worked hard to restore the use of her limbs, improve her speech and pursue her passion for music.