Beyond Recovery: How Rehability Group Champions Survivors and Caregivers

Finding a rehabilitation provider often feels like a purely clinical decision. You look for expertise, the right services, and a convenient location. But what if you found a place that offered something more? A place where world-class care is delivered with genuine compassion, where your journey is understood, and where both you and your loved ones are supported every step of the way. This is the promise of Rehability Group, a center that redefines recovery by treating the whole person, not just the condition.

At its core, Rehability operates on a simple yet profound principle: true healing involves more than just physical therapy. It requires a supportive community, a positive mindset, and a deep understanding that recovery impacts everyone involved. This philosophy is woven into every aspect of their work, creating an environment where survivors and their caregivers can thrive together.

Integrated Care Under One Roof: A Seamless Path to Progress

One of the greatest challenges in rehabilitation is coordinating care between different specialists. A patient might see a prosthetist in one building, a physical therapist in another, and an occupational therapist across town. This fragmented approach can be inefficient and isolating. Rehability Group, founded by Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist Art Gagné and Occupational Therapist Desirée Gagné, was designed to solve this exact problem.

"From our experience, a lot of therapists work individually," Desirée explains. "If a CPO [Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist] would come in to fit a patient with a brace or a prosthesis, we would hardly see those people." At Rehability, that silo is gone. "This way they can come in if they're an amputee, they work with the prosthetist. If they need gait training, they walk out the door and they go see the physical therapist... it's just nicer because it's underneath one roof."

This integrated model brings together a comprehensive suite of services:

• Prosthetics and Orthotics: Custom solutions created with an on-site lab and a sister fabrication facility, ensuring a perfect fit and function.

• Physical and Occupational Therapy: Therapists work collaboratively to help patients regain mobility, strength, and independence in daily activities.

• Neurorehabilitation: Specialized care for individuals recovering from stroke, brain injuries, and other neurological conditions.

• Aquatic Therapy: Using the buoyancy and resistance of water to build strength with minimal impact on the joints.

This all-in-one approach ensures that every member of the care team is on the same page, creating a seamless and more effective recovery experience for the patient.

Proactive and Preparatory: Specialized Programs for Better Outcomes

Rehability Group believes that the best care is often proactive. Instead of waiting for a crisis to happen, they offer specialized programs designed to prevent injury and prepare patients for success.

Fall Prevention: Moving from Reactive to Proactive

"A lot of times people come to therapy after the fall happens, when it's too late," Desirée notes. To change this, Rehability offers free fall assessments to identify risks before they lead to serious injury. While many people only seek help after a fall, the team at Rehability is passionate about educating the community. "We can prevent falls," Desirée states firmly. "Just because people get older doesn't mean falling is part of that." Their program focuses on building strength, improving balance, and making environmental adjustments to keep individuals safe and active.

Prehabilitation: Getting Stronger Before Surgery

Surgery is physically demanding, and a patient's condition beforehand can significantly impact their recovery. The prehabilitation program at Rehability is designed to get patients in the best possible shape before their procedure. "The whole premise behind it is build up your strength, get stronger, learn what's going to happen after your surgery," says Desirée. By understanding precautions, learning how to use assistive devices, and strengthening their bodies, patients who go through prehab often experience a faster and smoother recovery.

Technology with a Human Touch

While their approach is deeply human-centered, Rehability leverages advanced technology to enhance therapy and provide patients with clear, visual feedback. Two standout pieces of equipment are their adjustable parallel bars and the Biodex Balance System.

The parallel bars, which adjust to accommodate people of all sizes, are crucial for gait training. The Biodex system is a powerful tool for anyone struggling with balance, especially stroke survivors. It's an interactive platform where patients play games that challenge their stability and weight distribution. "After a stroke, a lot of times they don't want to put their weight on the affected side," Desirée explains. The system provides visual feedback, showing them exactly how much weight, they are putting on each leg. "It has a way to where they can see, 'OK, you're putting 50% on that. That's good.'" This combination of technology and expert guidance helps patients retrain their bodies and minds with confidence.

The Unseen Heroes: Championing the Caregiver

Rehability's holistic philosophy extends beyond the patient to embrace the entire support system. They recognize that caregivers are often the unsung heroes of the recovery journey, facing their own set of physical and emotional challenges. To support them, Rehability has cultivated a space where caregivers are seen, heard, and valued.

Desirée shares a powerful story of a woman whose husband had a stroke. "That was her time to have someone else take care of him. She would come to the stroke support group and then after the group, she'd go out to dinner with her sister." This small act of self-care was vital. "I thought that was great because she was taking time for herself, and I think that's super important."

Their Stroke of Hope and Parkinson's support groups are more than just patient meetings; they are lifelines for families. These groups, which meet monthly and offer virtual options, provide a safe space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, and find solidarity. It’s a testament to Rehability’s understanding that for healing to be complete, everyone needs to be cared for.

Words Matter: Empowering Patients Through Language

A subtle but powerful aspect of Rehability's approach is their mindful use of language. Desirée actively discourages negative terminology that can hinder a patient's mindset. "One thing I always tell them, because a lot of people will say this, they'll say 'my bad side.' I said it's not your bad side, it's your left side, your right side. It's still your side." This simple shift in language reframes the narrative from one of weakness to one of potential, empowering patients to see their entire body as part of the healing process.

It reflects a deeper philosophy: Rehability doesn’t just treat limbs and conditions; they nurture hope, build confidence, and restore lives. If you or a loved one are navigating the path of recovery, consider a place that sees the whole picture. Explore the services, join a support group, or schedule a consultation with Rehability Group to experience a level of care that truly puts you and your family first.

Meet the Expert: Desirée Gagné, MA, OTR/L, C/NDT

Occupational Therapist, Rehability Group

Desirée Gagné holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University and a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in stroke rehabilitation and fall prevention, and has worked in a variety of clinical settings.

Desirée is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) and is a member of the Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association. She is also a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist (CFPS) and an OTAGO-trained fall prevention therapist.

Desirée is passionate about incorporating a holistic approach to therapy—addressing both physical and emotional well-being to help each patient achieve their greatest potential. Her greatest joy comes from time with her family, traveling, and running. What she enjoys most about being an Occupational Therapist is the rewarding feeling of making a positive difference in someone’s life.