WMC Receives Therapy Bike from Chris Norton

Chris Norton next to the RT300

The RT300 rehabilitation bike donated to Winneshiek Medical Center by Chris Norton and his SCI CAN Foundation is now in operation.

The bike uses state-of-the-art technology to provide advanced therapy for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders.  The Winneshiek Medical Center staff has completed its training on the operation of the bike.  That means the bike is now available for patients to use.

The bike uses Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to help patients pedal a stationary bike for arms and/or legs. Designed primarily for spinal cord injury patients, the bike is also beneficial for anyone who has lost voluntary movement in their arms or legs such as individuals with cerebral palsy, recovering from stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or other brain or neurological injuries.

Former Luther football player Chris Norton established the SCI CAN Foundation after he was severely injured during a Luther College football game in 2010 and learned during his recovery that other people with spinal cord or neurological injuries did not have access to this type of equipment.  The SCI CAN Foundation donated the RT300 rehabilitation bike to Winneshiek Medical Center in December.  More information about the foundation is available at www.scicanfoundation.com.

Individuals who are candidates to use the bike will undergo an evaluation by a trained therapist.  After the patient is set up on an individualized program, they will be able to continue using the RT 300 bike as a long term wellness/exercise program without a monthly charge.  "We have already begun to see positive results from the use of the bike and will continue to build on the program throughout the region," said Winneshiek Medical Center Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Director Sarah Groux.  

To learn more about the benefits of the RT 300 bike, visit their website at restorative-therapies.com.  Anyone interested in using the RT300 rehabilitation bike should contact the Winneshiek Medical Center Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Department at 563-382-2911.

Lydia Dawley is one of the patients using the RT300