OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — 29-year-old Cara Montgomery is gaining her mobility back after suffering from a stroke and a brain hemorrhage two weeks ago.
“With you being 29, you wouldn't think that would occur to you,” Montgomery said.
Cara Montgomery was admitted to Saint Luke’s Hospital and was completely unable to walk.
Saint Luke’s began using the Andago, a robotic piece of equipment that helps stroke patients relearn to walk.
“This is a game changer for rehabilitation because it just allows us to deliver more intense therapy,” Montgomery’s doctor, Dr. Brad Steinle said.
Now, the mother of two is able to walk on her own without the use of a cane.
With this machine, step by step, Montgomery gained her mobility back.
“She can possibly get 5-10 thousand steps in in a 45-minute therapy session, as opposed to 500 steps if we were doing the traditional therapy, involving two therapists,” Steinle said.
Working side by side with her physical therapist, the young mother showed great progress.
“She's an awesome physical therapist,” Montgomery said of her therapist. “She walked with me and she would say, ‘You can't give up. You have your kids. Think of your babies,’ and I was like ‘Okay! Let's go,’” Montgomery said.
Montgomery said her family, healthcare providers and gospel music kept her going.
On Friday afternoon, Montgomery will be discharged, stepping out on her own without assistance.
She said the first thing she’ll do when she gets home is spend time with her children and eat a home-cooked meal.
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