"The only limits are the limits you set yourself." - STAR Rehab
  Spotlight Interview ~ STAR Rehab
Joe Bongiovanni, CBIS CDSS, COO
StrengthTraining and Recovery (STAR Rehab), opened in Grand Blanc, Michigan in 2005 after owner Sophia Bong saw the need for a rehabilitation program that was more community integrated and promoted healthy life styles beyond traditional therapy services.

Second Step has had the pleasure of working with STAR Rehab since its founding. This month, we checked in with Joe Bongiovanni, STAR's COO, to share more with you regarding their unique programs.
Creating empowered clients
Often when an individual suffers a permanent debilitating injury, they think the activities they once enjoyed are no longer an option. 

STAR Rehab offers an ambitious,  225,000 SF out-patient facility with adaptive equipment, training and rehabilitation therapies, which allows clients to focus on advanced personal goals.

The mission: get individuals back into action again, doing the sports, hobbies and activities they once loved.                                                 
Heide, a R leg amputee, uses the GHSII for balance therapy
     R leg amputee Heidi uses the GHSII with her prosthetic  
Making good investments
COO Joe Bongiovanni says STAR made sure one of the first pieces of equipment it had at its disposal was a Gait Harness System II (GHSII) from Second Step. STAR now has both a pediatric and an adult GHSII onsite.

Joe states "The GHSII is a valuable piece of equipment that can be a multi-exercise station and a feedback machine for gait training.

"Of course, it is also a gait training device that can be used indoors or outdoors. We utilize the GHSII on outdoor paths during nice spring, summer, and fall days."   
SCI client Duane enjoys freedom walking outdoors in the GHSII
     Above knee amputee Duane enjoys the freedom of
gait training outdoors  
Using helpful tools
A recent addition to the GHSII is the detachable Hand Hold Set Accessory

Joe comments "The hand holds are a great new feature as they have allowed our clients to have a more comfortable hand placement during their use of the GHSII. The hand holds can be detached to allow versatility for various exercise setups.

"Also, the clients said that more stability was gained from the hand holds, because they could utilize larger muscles (pecs and biceps) based on the hand change position (thumbs up as opposed to palms down) to help control their upper body.

"It has helped clients with decreased hand function as it now gives them a place to grasp, and an area that allows for use of a grip glove if need be."   
6'8%22 Jake enjoys using the GHSII with the new Hand Hold Accessory Set
6'8" tall Jake uses the GHSII with hand hold accessory 
Thinking outside the box
"At STAR Rehab, we think outside the box of traditional therapy. This keeps therapy fun and new, and also keeps the clients engaged in their treatment.

"The GHSII allows clinicians here at STAR to create a variety of fun and challenging exercises that breaks the monotony of traditional therapy, and achieves better client outcomes." 

Joe Bongiovanni, CBIS CDSS, Chief Operating Officer
Strength Training And Recovery Corp.
Grand Blanc MI 
Phone: (810) 344-9810
Post SCI, Katy is comfortably and safely supported in the GHSII, which she uses with her KAFOs
     Katy, post SCI, is safely supported using KAFOs with the GHSII
secondstepinc.com                    Toll Free: 877-299-STEP

 (c) 2016 Second Step, Inc. All rights reserved. The Second Step, Inc. logo is a registered trademark of Second Step, Inc.