June Simpson Finds Hope

Over the past twelve years, June Simpson had been experiencing problems with her balance that was truly affecting her life.  Often, she would have to hold on to side-railings for support, all while focusing on a single object in the direction in which she was heading.  If she would divert her attention, she would become disoriented and would frequently fall.  June had visited numerous specialists and physical therapists over the years to try to determine what was affecting her sense of balance; however, her problems persisted and started becoming progressively worse.

Beginning about three years ago, June began to notice that her symptoms were becoming more frequent and difficult to control.  She had fallen down the stairs, and one evening, while stepping off a stool to go to bed, she spun, fell and fractured her collar bone as she hit the fireplace.  Something had to be done.  June heard about a new program: Peace River Regional’s Center for Balance Disorders, and decided to give it a try.

When June first arrived at the Center for Balance Disorders, her evaluation determined that she was suffering from a variety of symptoms and she was referred to a neurologist for further work up.  Based on the findings from her neurologist and the therapists at the Center, it was determined that June suffers from a progressive degenerative disease called Spinocerebellar Ataxia.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia is characterized by a gradual development of unsteady motion and coordination of ones extremities and eye movements.  The wobbly sensations that June was experiencing is due to “the degeneration of the cerebellum and the nerves of the spinal cord,” says Lori Miller, MSPT, ATC-L, CSCS, Physical Therapist at the Peace River Regional Center for Balance Disorders.  “Her disease is causing a loss in her feedback network between the brain and muscles, a communication problem that is ultimately responsible for her falls and unsteadiness.  For example, when June began her treatment, she was walking with a narrow base of support, walking side-to-side with her feet far apart, all jokes aside, John Wayne style.  Walking in this manner was causing her to continuously trip over her feet.  Moreover, if you asked June to place her foot on an ‘X’ on the floor, she couldn’t; she actually could not feel her legs and where they were.”

June’s treatment began with a series of sensation exercises.  Since she is experiencing a deterioration of her cerebellum, the control center involved with the coordination of her movements, she had to retrain her nerves to respond to different muscle sensations.

“We taught June how to rely on the sensation she would feel in her hips since she could not feel her feet on the ground,” states Lori.  “Then, we incorporated visual exercises, and together, with lots of repetition, we have stimulated the mind through muscle-memory so that her body will automatically rely on these new sensations.”

June has seen remarkable improvement since she began her personalized program at Peace River Regional’s Center for Balance Disorders. “Now, I can actually dry off in the shower, something I haven’t been able to do in years because I would always need something to hold on to for support,” says June. “I can even walk in a straight line.”

June will continue her daily strengthening with at home exercises. To date, there is no known cure for Spinocerebellar Ataxia; however, as long as June maintains an active lifestyle, continuously stimulating her nerve impulses, she will see significant signs of improvement through the reduction of the degeneration process.

“The Center for Balance Disorders serves a direct purpose for people with balance problems,” states June. “The physical therapy that I had tried prior to starting my personalized program at the Center doesn’t even compare to the strengthening and knowledge that I have gained.  Here, the therapists are trained to target your basic problems, and then assist in teaching you how to cope and gain the strength to overcome those specific problems.”