Robert was 49 years old, in the prime of his life with a thriving career and wonderful children. Then the unthinkable happened—he had a massive stroke. Thanks to research at Kessler Foundation, he regained his life and independence.

 

On October 16, 2009, at 6 am, Robert’s life was turned upside down. After a stroke, he had partial paralysis on the left side of his body. His brain wouldn’t process images from the center to the left side of his body, making it impossible for Robert to navigate his usual daily activities, such as driving or getting dressed.

 

It’s common to think that the outward effects of a stroke, like paralysis, are the most difficult for the more than 7,000,000 stroke survivors. Robert was one of the lucky few who was able to compensate for his weakened arm and leg. But his hidden disability, the altered perception of his environment’s reality, greatly limited his independence and recovery. “I was totally ignoring everything from my center to the left,” he explained.

 

His condition is called spatial neglect—a perceptual problem caused by a disconnect between the brain and the eye that affects up to 70 percent of stroke survivors. When asked to draw a clock, he drew the numbers on the right side of the clock but leave out the numerals on the left. Going about his daily activities with no awareness that his left side existed proved extremely challenging. Spatial neglect leads to repeated accidents and falls, disorientation, and problems with simple hygiene and grooming.

 

Fortunately, the doctors and scientists at Kessler Foundation offered Robert prism adaptation therapy. This propelled his recovery and improved his quality of life. Prism adaptation therapy uses specialized goggles. The cuts in the glass shift the individual’s field of vision back to the neglected side. For an hour and a half a day, three days a week, Robert wore the goggles and worked with researchers to find the center of lines and accurately point to objects. Every day, he improved. “The repetition of doing everything every day really helped me learn to find objects and train my brain to recognize my left again.”    

 

From the gains he made in just two months in the study, Robert regained his driver’s license. The freedom to drive gave him back some dignity. While he still has partial paralysis on the left side of his body, managing his spatial neglect has given him the independence he needs to enjoy life. Robert lives on his own and handles his daily activities. “Thanks to research at Kessler Foundation, I get along fine now.  I do everything myself.”

 

Robert is thankful for the little things that most of us take for granted. Driving his children to a restaurant seemed impossible four years ago. Now, it’s a weekly routine. When his parents were sick, he made the bi-weekly drive to Delaware. Now he is able to help care for others, instead of relying on care.