Brennan

Mary Beth is not able to type due to her disability, so permit me to transmit her thoughts in this Testimonial along with mine as her humble care giver - Mr. Charles Watterson

      "Mary Beth had a debilitating stroke on her 13th birthday, playing with her schoolmates and collapsing on the playground.  The stroke left her unable to speak or see along with complete paralysis of the left side of her body. X-rays revealed a CVM or Cerebral Venous Malformation, diagnosed as inoperable at the time. 

      Intense rehabilitation and a month’s on end hospital stay resulted in her regaining partial tunnel vision type eyesight, and an ability to speak, although with aphasia.  She lived with these disabilities until age 35, bearing two children and maintaining a marriage.  At age 35 she was struck again just like her age 13 episode but worse. As a child she recovered much quicker than as an adult.  

      In 1995, we were able to get Mary Beth admitted to University of Illinois at Chicago where gamma knife surgery was performed to cut the blood flow off to the CVM.  This surgery was successful in preventing further life-threatening bleeds, but the surgery caused atrophy to the surrounding good brain tissue. This atrophy caused slow deteriorating symptoms to an already debilitated body.  She was forced to use a motorized wheelchair just to maintain a semblance of normal activity. 

      We were introduced to the mobility chair world as lambs to the slaughter.  No idea of what was really needed and completely at the mercy of the available vendors who seemed more interested in their profit outcomes that the needs of Mary Beth.  There was no evaluation by an OTD or anyone that seemed to take great care in Mary Beth’s problems.

We wore out her first chair which she used for about eight years or so.  The second chair was sold pretty much like the first except some “technicians” did help us choose the chair.  We purchased specially manufactured Mobility Vans to transport Mary Beth and the chair.  We have spent thousands and thousands of dollars attempting to create as close to normal life as is possible.

       It took moving to southwest North Carolina from northern Indiana to find one of the finest health care and disability specialists in Dr. Amy Siegler and her LimbTech organization. 

Our first appointment with Dr. Siegler immediately set our minds to ease. Her attention to every one of Mary Beth’s needs and her problems with her chair were remarkable.  Her kindness and patience with Mary Beth were outstanding.  Dr. Siegler spent over an hour and a half with us looking over every detail of Mary Beth’s condition and the way Mary Beth uses her chair.  

       At the conclusion of our first meeting Dr. Siegler had a solution and a plan for a motorized chair to fit Mary Beth’s condition.  This first meeting set into motion Dr. Siegler’s evaluation and recommendation for a proper chair which had to have taken hours of her valuable time. 

       We are so appreciative of the care and concern of this good doctor in moving the process along with Medicare, our private insurance, and the motorized chair supplier. On our own, we could not have accomplished the process in such a short time. We will be forever grateful to Dr. Siegler and her staff at LimbTech. 

       The new chair has made a remarkable improvement in Mary Beth’s quality of life and her ability to maintain a semblance of normality in her everyday movements. Simple things like the ability to reach cabinets, the ability to be at eye level with those surrounding her, shopping at normal eye level and being safe while performing these actions has changed her life.  

     Dr. Siegler understands that my role as a husband is to take care of the wife I adore and make life as pleasant as possible with her challenges.  I cannot thank Dr. Amy enough so I wish to recommend her as highly as I can. As Mary Beth’s primary care giver, I have been relieved of many burdens and concerns. 

       Our area of Western North Carolina has no finer doctor in the field of mobility. She is wise beyond her years and her abilities exude confidence that all will be made right. I would be remiss in not mentioning her accessibility in contacting her. She always, always, returns phone calls and emails. Having been a professional in my trade of 40 years, I am just thrilled to work with a professional of her high caliber.

      In closing, allow me to express our complete gratitude for Dr. Siegler’s kind and attentive method of dealing with her patients. I wish Dr. Siegler and LimbTech the absolute best in the years ahead and pray for her continued success."

Sincerely,

Charles D and Mary Beth Watterson