MR: Why/How did you choose to become a LiteGait Trainer?

Sean: Preparations for the NCS exam really heightened my awareness of the loads of literature supporting many treatment approaches, but specifically, body weight support treadmill training. While this reinforced my current approach to treating adults with neurologic impairments, it really opened my eyes to the fact that I could be doing much more for my patients. I began using the BWS and BWSTT more and noted improved outcomes. The most surprising results were in using BWSTT to assist those I did not previously believe needed much more than functional, across ground ambulatory training – ambulatory patients s/p CVA. Thus, when I saw the opportunity to become a trainer, I immediately saw this as an avenue to share with others the experience of such clinical gains using the LiteGait.

MR: What would you consider the most rewarding aspect of being a trainer?

Sean: The most challenging aspect is also the most rewarding – patient demonstrations. As a trainer, I am presented with four patients – previously unbeknownst to me – that I am hoping (as is everyone else present) will demonstrate an obvious benefit in performance through my interaction with each patient using the LiteGait. Actually, I am really trying to have the facility’s clinicians demonstrate such benefits as I facilitate their interaction with each patient using LiteGait. This demands some on the spot thinking, as things don’t always go as planned. The challenge may suddenly become creating a learning experience from the patient who becomes totally overwhelmed by BWSTT. Typically, however, we do succeed in demonstrating an obvious immediate improvement in performance from pre to post LiteGait intervention performance. The looks on the faces of the patients, the caregivers, and the clinicians who have just experienced a success not experienced in recent times are priceless…as are their words of confidence in this new tool. Therein is my reward.

MR: What is the main patient population that you work with and how long have you been working in the rehabilitation field?

Sean: I’ve been an inpatient rehabilitation physical therapist for fifteen years. While I have worked with a variety of inpatients and outpatients, the bulk of my patient care has focused upon adolescents and adults with brain injuries or strokes.

MR: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Sean: My wife, Jennifer, and I have five children, with Galli # 6 due in February. Herein is the joy of my spare time. Our major accomplishment in 2009 is that we built a tree fort with only minor injuries! I also enjoyed the every-moment drama of coaching 8-9 year-old girls and the endless energy (theirs, not mine) of coaching 10-11 year-old boys on the soccer field. I sneak in some long-distance running for my quiet time when the rest of the gang is sleeping