Category: Back to Life

Marie sums up why physical therapy matters.

Meet our patient, Marie Cajou. At 86 years old, Marie suffered a stroke that left her with visual impairments in her left eye and reduced spatial awareness along her entire left side. She came to us because she had been spending a lot of time in her wheelchair and developed lower back pain as well as right shoulder pain. She spent two months in physical therapy, treated by Marc Jacobchick, PT, DPT, and came to each visit with a new, brightly colored hat.

According to Marie, her favorite part of the day is when she gets to go to SPEAR and dance to some salsa or merengue music. We’re so grateful to be part of Marie’s healing process because we know that any age, #lifecantwait!

Our annual baseball functional movement screen to decrease injury risk in kids

SPEAR’s Investment in Youth Sports & Our New Charitable Partnership

 
As the Yankees and Red Sox get set for another playoff showdown, SPEAR is announcing our renewed commitment to the youth of NYC by teaming up with Pitch in for Baseball & Softball (PIFBS), a charitable organization that shares our dedication to supporting young local athletes and helping them become the very best versions of themselves. In the past year, SPEAR has offered three free injury prevention clinics for young baseball and softball players across the city. Now that SPEAR has joined forces with PIFBS, we are excited to contribute even more. SPEAR is thrilled to announce that, with your help, we will match at least $10,000 in donations to PIFBS by the end of this year.

You can click here to join us in supporting young athletes in NYC – even a ten dollar donation helps!

At SPEAR, we have a passion for helping baseball players of all ages. For example, during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, CEO Dan Rootenberg was  selected by MLB to be a team Physical Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach in Asia. Dan also coaches local little league which is close to his heart. This year Dan coached a SPEAR-sponsored team of 10-12 year old baseball players throughout their 2018 season, providing guidance and physical therapy (as needed)  along the way. Each week the team discussed topics like teamwork, grit, handling adversity, goal-setting and focus. “Personally, I love coaching little league baseball because as a coach I’m not just teaching baseball skills, I’m teaching life lessons.” The players learned how to think like champions, practiced team building skills, and gained confidence. They also grew as baseball players: after a slow start, the team won the Peter Stuyvesant Little League Majors Championship and, from there, members of the team went on to become the Manhattan champs in their quest to reach the Little League World Series!

Pitch in for Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that provides new and gently used baseball and softball equipment to boys and girls in NYC and around the world who want to play ball but lack the equipment to do so. SPEAR is thrilled to join forces with PIFBS, an organization that has helped over 800,000 kids gain access to baseball and softball through their equipment donations since 2005.

The 2018 SPEAR-sponsored little league championship team, coached by our CEO Dan Rootenberg (top left)

In October 2015 Whitney was at peak training for the upcoming marathon when she became injured. After a few months of being unable to run, Whitney found SPEAR and met a team of people devoted to her care.

“I had the good fortune of working with Joe, Brooke, Michael, Justin and Lindsay. They have helped me stick to a plan, have faith in the healing process, and believe that I will be strong enough to race again.”

Despite the physical and mental hurdles that come along with being physically injured, Whitney found that her team at SPEAR helped her reach her goals, including reaching the Timberman Half Ironman finish line with a personal record time of 5:33.

“I am thrilled to be able to walk to the start line of the NYC marathon for the first time and race with intention. I know now that injury is just a reminder of that which needs to be strengthened. The SPEAR team has my back and that is a great feeling.”

On today’s season finale show we are joined by Adam Greenberg. Adam is a former professional Baseball player and CEO of Lurong Living. Some highlights from our conversation included:

• Adam detailing the need to always “Get Up” from adversity.
• Look and connect the good support system around you.
• Learn to love and own all your passions and accomplishments.
• Finally, share your story, share imperfections with the world, empower others.

On today’s episode we have Dr. Stephen Fealy, founder of BetterPT and Orthopedic Surgeon in Hospital of Special Surgery. Some highlights from our conversation include:

• Dr. Fealy detailing how you always must look for the positive in every situation.
• The need to simply, LISTEN. Listen to everything that is going on around you with intent to learn.
• You must apply the mindset of “owning it” through all aspects of your life.
• Always have the belief to always “do the right thing” as a guide in life.