Walking Toward Possibility with Andwell Therapy Care
Kirstyn Knowles, 32, knows she is lucky to be alive after what she described as a freak accident followed by an infection that took hold of her body.
“Kirstyn developed sepsis following a procedure, and as a result underwent a right below-knee amputation and a left above-knee amputation,” Gary Sylvester, MS, PT of Andwell Therapy Care explained. “Shortly after that, she had her left arm amputated below the elbow, and the second and third digits of her right hand amputated due to necrosis.”
Kirstyn is determined to walk again and has a number of achievable goals. Through her determination and consistent visits at Andwell Therapy Care, we are confident she will continue to improve day over day.
“My goal is to be free-handed walking and get back to living my life,” she said. “Obviously, the way I live life will look different in some respects, but I will get back to doing the things I used to do independently.”
It is difficult to find a rehabilitation facility set up to work with people who have experienced Kirstyn’s level of amputation. Gary has worked with well over 100 amputees and takes special interest in this level of therapy. “What I really find satisfying is how working with folks post-amputation is kind of a snapshot of what I enjoy about physical therapy as a whole but condensed into each individual,” said Gary. “There is the mechanical aspect (prosthetic adjustments, physics of body parts and their interface with an inanimate object), there’s the deeply personal and emotional component (grief with true loss, joy with regaining mobility, adapting to changes), and the biomechanics of how the intact portions of the body need to adjust to the new status quo”.
“I was going to therapy at another facility where I learned that it wasn’t necessarily the right fit for me,” Kirstyn said. “The type of therapy at that facility seemed as though it was designed for people with minor injuries, sprains, and athletes. It was not really set up for the care of an amputee of my extent.”
Kirstyn shared her concern with her physiatrist and with the folks at Hanger Clinic where she is fitted for prosthetics. Her honesty with her providers led to the recommendation of Gary as someone experienced working with amputees. She was referred to Andwell Therapy Care.
“She arrived here in a wheelchair, not feeling safe to stand independently, and not having walked outside the parallel bars,” Gary said. “Most assistive devices are designed for people who have two hands, so we’ve been working on adapting what we have to meet her needs and abilities.”
“At the previous location I had just barely begun walking in the parallel bars,” Kirstyn said. “After my first few visits with Gary, I was able to get up with a walker and an assistive platform. I was nervous to try, but I tried, nonetheless. I took a few steps!”
Just a few months later, the L Test of Functional Mobility that had taken five minutes to finish takes Kirstyn just 59 seconds. That is determination. That is true dedication to goals. That is exactly what Andwell Therapy Care aims to do for its patients.
“As of right now, Kirstyn is walking with supervision up to 80 feet using either a platform rolling walker or the platform walker on one side and a forearm crutch on the other,” Gary said. “We are currently working away from the walker to allow more freedom of movement in life. Unfortunately, that comes at a price of less stability. She has come a long way, and admittedly still has a long way to go. With her spirit though, I have no doubt that she’ll make a stunning recovery.”
Every journey at Andwell is unique, guided by the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live as fully and independently as possible. If Kirstyn’s progress resonates with you, we invite you to learn more about our programs or consider making a gift to help bring this care to even more individuals across Maine.
