John Baker is a 68-year-old who lives in Windsor, Colorado. He’s retired from the military and has been married to his wife for 44 years. He enjoys spending time with his two children and three grandchildren, gardening, and walking.

After experiencing heart failure, John developed a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which caused a stroke that affected movement in his right hand and foot. Heart failure can lead to a brain injury because it reduces the blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which then can cause a stroke.

Initially, John received inpatient care for the TBI at Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital (NCLTAH) and then Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital (NCRH). Because he was familiar with and impressed with the treatment programs at the hospitals, John decided to continue his outpatient rehabilitation at NCRH. The hospital is dedicated to developing better results for patients who have suffered brain injuries, having earned The Joint Commission’s national certification for Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

“The physical therapists understand TBI patients,” John says. “They have seen a lot of brain injuries and know how to work with you on your goals.”

John’s goal was to be able to walk better. Since starting outpatient therapy, John is walking longer distances, increasing the strength in his right hand and foot, and gardening again.