About Us

This year, NextStep Orlando celebrates 15 years in business!!

NextStep Orlando is an affordable, state-of-the-art, community-based paralysis recovery and fitness center. By offering standardized activity-based therapy programs and interventions, based on research; our center provides the best chance for recovery, independence, and health.

Specializing in Activity-Based Therapy, we are the only non-profit paralysis recovery center in the SouthEast to become an approved Community Fitness & Wellness Affiliate of The Victory Over Paralysis NeuroRecovery Network (“NRN.”) lead by Dr. Susan Harkema. The NRN provides support for the development of specialized facilities that provide standardized activity-based recovery interventions based on current scientific evidence for people with neurological disorders for recovery of Function, Health, and Quality of Life!!

Our Story

On April 21, 2007 I received the phone call no parent is ever prepared for. I was told my only
daughter, Amanda, was being airlifted to a nearby hospital after a serious car accident. As I
raced to the hospital, I could only think one thing: Please, let her be alive.

Once there, I learned Amanda’s friend had fallen asleep at the wheel, hit a traffic light pole and careened down an embankment. My 18 year old daughter, asleep in the passenger seat, became a human missile within the car. I was informed her neck was broken and she was paralyzed. According to her doctors, Amanda would never walk again.

Immediately, desperate panic for my child clawed at me, followed by feelings of confusion,
anger, sorrow and uncertainty. I went from having an active, well-adjusted, daughter who loved her family, friends and participating in dance, to a battered, bed-ridden daughter, unable to sit up, feed herself or be in control of her bowel or bladder function. From her bedside in the hospital, I vowed to fight for my child’s recovery. In the days and weeks that followed, Amanda was fitted for a wheelchair. We were informed our goals for regaining Amanda’s independence and complete mobility were unrealistic.

This horrible reality is similarly faced by over 11,000 families each year. There are very few
options for recovery, especially in Florida. A person living with a spinal cord injury is
overwhelmed. They need recovery, hope, encouragement and a reason to wake up every day.

This is why we founded our facility under our former name, to help those suffering with a spinal cord injury (SCI) improve their daily living – by regaining function and perhaps, even walking again. Our program utilizes an aggressive and comprehensive exercise-based program. This is a proven methodology for SCI recovery and extends the program’s reach and affordability to the southeastern United States, Florida residents and beyond.

In 2009, our facility opened its doors to the public to provide hope and recovery for people living with paralysis. Based in Orlando, Florida, NextStep Orlando is a state-of-the-art paralysis recovery center, that is dedicated to meeting individuals various recovery needs. Our center and staff is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all persons with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders. Along with our exercise based recovery program, we aim to provide an environment where all clients and their families can gain knowledge, strength, support and guidance. 

 

WHO WE SERVE

Individuals suffering from paralysis including;

  • Spinal cord injury (SCI)

  • Stroke

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

  • Cerebral palsy (CP)

  • Parkinson's Disease

  • Pediatrics

  • And other neurological conditions...

What We Offer

 

Indego eksoskeleton

(Robotic Gait Therapy) 

At NextStep Orlando, we are proud to be the home of TWO Eksobionics robotic devices. The Ekso Indego® Therapy device is an adjustable, lower-limb powered exoskeleton that can be custom-sized and perfectly fitted to our clients in less than five minutes. This makes the process efficient and can ensure that our clients with various neurological disorders can take part in over-ground and individualized gait training.

What do our clients enjoy the most about their sessions in the Ekso Indego? The fact that they HAVE to initiate the movement themselves and then the Indego supports when necessary while providing auditory, real-time feedback. 

Read more about this device here - https://eksobionics.com/ekso-indego-therapy/

GAIT TRAINING

(based on NeuroRecovery Network principles)

Our Gait Training takes in two different scenarios depending on client goals and function.

 

Body Weight Support Treadmill Training

This allows clients to repetitively practice stepping while being supported by our LiteGait Body Weight Support System.  This session involves bouts of step retraining and adaptability while specially trained Activity-Based Trainers move the client’s legs to simulate walking.

This set up retrains the nervous system below the level of injury with the aim of improving postural control and walking.

 

 

Over Ground Gait Training

This setup uses adaptive equipment to assist clients with taking steps over ground. This style of therapy is used to promote early mobilization of the lower body.  

NextStep Orlando is proud to announce we now offer Restorative Therapies' Xcite FES system! The Xcite provides coordinated multi-channel Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for hands, upper extremity, lower extremity and general functional activities. The Xcite offers over 40 FES evoked task specific, strengthening and motor training activities such as transfers & seated balance!

Guided exercise consists of 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 training with our certified activity-based therapists. Our trainers will work with you to promote functional recovery and improved health.


Scientific based evidence highlights the importance of activity-based training for the pediatrics population. NextStep Orlando's affiliation with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation ensures that our Pediatric Program is research based. 

Our trainers receive further training in neuro-recovery form specialised facilities across the country and are equipped with the knowledge and experience to provide children living with paralysis a recovery based program. Our facility has the equipment to work on step retraining and adaptability on the treadmill as well as NMES to provide a well rounded session. 

Pediatric sessions are designed to optimise each individual child and their goals and phase of recovery. 

Our facility offer cutting-edge and accessible rehabilitation and fitness equipment and the space needed for advanced functional therapy techniques.

EQUIPMENT

  • Gait Training and Standing

    • LiteGait partial weight bearing gait therapy device

    • Madonna’s ICARE Rehabilitation Elliptical

    • Standing Frame

  • Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

    • RT-300 FES Arm Bike

    • RT Xcite

    • Myocycle

  • Vibration Training

    • Multi-purpose Vibe Plate

  • Cardiovascular Exercise

    • Spin Bike

    • NuStep cross trainer

    • NuStep Transit

  • Strength Training and General Exercise

    • Total Gym

    • SpinoFLEX: Adaptable Body Weight Support System

    • Adductor Machine

    • Hip/Glute Machine

    • REDCORD