Recovery mode Accident victim offers help, hope for others

By Debra Talcott Legal News For the past six years, people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions have received help and hope from "The Recovery Project," a unique physical and occupational therapy practice founded by businessman Charlie Parkhill and physical therapist Polly Swingle. "We specialize in spinal cord and neurological recovery, and we are giving hope and changing lives," says Parkhill, himself a C-4/5 quadriplegic since surviving a life-changing accident from an ocean wave while vacationing with his wife, Mary, in Mexico in 1998. "Told I would never walk again, I decided to make physical rehabilitation my single focus," says Parkhill of his personal rehabilitation goals. Attorney Tom Howlett, of The Googasian Firm in Bloomfield Hills, represented Parkhill in the "shorebreak" case, proving that there had been a history of serious accidents involving the ocean phenomenon at the Mexican resort. With no model or protocol for extended, high-intensity rehabilitation for spinal cord injury, Parkhill began traditional out-patient therapy in July 1998. "But I was fortunate to meet Polly, who was willing to work with me to 'push the envelope,'" says Parkhill. "Before it was a recognized therapy, I started a treadmill program, beginning with a three-minute session with 150 pounds un-weighted, and I progressed to 40 minutes with no un-weighting. Moving on to walkers and crutches, I then took my first three unassisted steps in 2005 and have now taken over 100." Parkhill continued working with Swingle until she left her former practice in 2003. When he learned she wanted to do something else, Parkhill proposed the business partnership that became The Recovery Project, and Swingle agreed. "I had owned several small businesses over the years, so following my own injury, I knew I would start another business and was just gathering leads when the opportunity with Polly presented itself," explains Parkhill. "It was a no-brainer - our different perspectives offer a unique management vision and the right elements for a company. Polly brought the technical/production side to the business, and my background in financial and professional services management provided the business side." Together, Parkhill, Swingle, and their team of therapists work with people living with the effects of SCI, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), stroke, Parkinson's disease, amputation, and general orthopedic issues. The Recovery Project helps clients set goals such as driving, returning to work, breathing without a ventilator, independent feeding and dressing, using a wheelchair, maintaining physical wellbeing, and walking. Depending on the severity of the injury, walking may take on a variety of definitions: full, functional, back-to-normal walking; walking with the assistance of a cane or walker; walking within the controlled setting of the clinic; or taking that very first unassisted step. Speaking of his own therapy program, Parkhill says, "I believe we don't yet know the effect of long-term, higher-intensity physical rehab by persons with SCI, but I'm trying to find out. I continue to work out six days a week, all with a simple goal of taking one more step than I took yesterday." With locations in Livonia and Clinton Township, The Recovery Project offers clients a full array of both mainstream exercise equipment and state-of-the-art equipment. Muscles are stimulated and strengthened in order to combat atrophy that would occur from disuse. Their programs promote family involvement and support during the whole rehabilitation process. The work of the physical therapists at The Recovery Project is complemented by the work of occupational therapists, recreational therapists, aides, personal trainers, and athletic trainers. The entire team is dedicated to the idea of exceeding what is offered by traditional recovery programs, according to Parkhill. The Recovery Project hopes for a cure for paralysis in our lifetime. Their mission states that, "Regardless of whether the cure comes in 5, 10, or 50 years, we believe that individuals with spinal cord and other neurological injuries should pursue increased physical functionality and fitness." Parkhill, a long-time Detroit area resident, now makes his home in Bloomfield Hills. His wife Mary is the Director of Development at the Michigan Opera Theatre. Together they have founded the Mary and Charles A. Parkhill Foundation for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation. Their mission is to raise funds that will be granted, in the form of scholarships, to people who are otherwise unable to obtain ongoing rehabilitation and therapy services. "Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has raised over $100,000 and awarded four grants," says a proud Parkhill. The mission statement of the Foundation is: "While scientists, doctors, and researchers around the world seek a cure for spinal cord and other neurological injuries, the responsibility of high intensity rehabilitation therapists is to keep those of us with SCI/TBI healthy and fit until a cure is found, or in a lifetime of fitness." When they are not raising funds for the Foundation, the Parkhills enjoy traveling, dining out, and attending concerts and sporting events. Parkhill, who played golf before his injury, still enjoys the atmosphere of an outing by riding along in the cart with friends who play the game. "But the activity I most enjoyed before - and still do - is 'hanging out' with Mary and the core group of people whose friendship has never waivered," says Parkhill. Two whom Parkhill counts among his friends are attorneys Tom Howlett and George Googasian, founder of The Googasian Firm. "I would not be where I am today without Tom and George," says Parkhill. "First of all, they are two of the finest human beings I know. Beyond and because of that, they are exceptional attorneys - the antithesis of the trial lawyer stereotype. Their priority is to right wrongs." Parkhill also notes that attorney Kim Howlett, Tom's wife, serves on the Foundation Board. If he were to write a health care reform bill, Parkhill says he would set the current benefits, coverage, and fee schedules as the minimums a patient could expect. "There appears to be acknowledgment that there are significant savings to be had through preventative medicine, and I believe that to be true with preventative physical therapy for our clients as well. That is why I would like to see fewer arbitrary caps on benefits; instead, I'd like to see benefits based on medical necessity." While the country waits to see what action our legislators will take toward that end, Parkhill will remain focused on providing the best resources for ongoing quality of life for his clients and on his personal goal. "Meeting goals-and the ongoing pursuit thereof-gives me the inspiration to continue the important work with The Recovery Project and the Foundation." Published: Fri, Dec 4, 2009

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