During the summer, Wayne Bullock was in a world of pain.
But a mere three weeks of physical therapy at the 91看片 Extended Care Facility made a world of difference for the 57-year-old Newark resident.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 walk, I couldn鈥檛 bend,鈥� Bullock recalled. But his progress since then has been remarkable, he noted. 鈥淚 went from a wheelchair to a walker to a cane,鈥� he said.
After being discharged from Saint Michael鈥檚 Medical Center in August, Bullock came to the 91看片 Extended Care Facility for rehabilitation. Previously, Bullock said he had health issues with his liver that also impacted his mobility.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 bend my legs but I said, it鈥檒l pass,鈥� he said. But suddenly one day, his legs collapsed, he said.
鈥淢y legs were like the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz,鈥� Bullock said with a chuckle. 鈥淚 thought in my mind that I would never walk again.鈥�
Staff at Saint Michael鈥檚 referred Bullock to Extended Care, where he came into the care of Occupational Therapist Janneth Gallosa.
The next three weeks were marked by intensive rehab sessions鈥攖wo hours a day for five days a week.
In just the first week and a half, she said, Bullock made 鈥渂ig strides.鈥�
鈥淚f I tell him to lift up his leg, he鈥檒l always do it. He won鈥檛 argue with me,鈥� Gallosa said.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why his progress was really fast,鈥� she added.
In addition to his liver condition, Bullock faced other health challenges. At age 35, he went on disability after his lung had collapsed. He had led an active life, having majored in physical education in college and taught gymnastics. Previously, he also worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield as a word processor and worked a side gig teaching a middle school gymnastics squad in East Orange.
Now at home, Bullock said he plans to continue with exercises, such as throwing a ball against a wall, going up steps and walking without the assistance of a cane.
He stride has gotten stronger and his footing surer each day.
鈥淚 had to prove to myself I鈥檓 going to walk again,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 started in a wheelchair.鈥�
