Mary B is an enthusiastic and dependable Neuro-Fit participant.  “I’ve known Mary for a year, and with each session she continues to improve her strength and gait.  Her physical therapist has even noted marked improvement.” says Meredith MacDonald, Neuro-Fit Site Manager.  “Since introducing the NuStep machines at the YMCA, Mary has been an eager user.   She uses it every session and continues to step up her distance and resistance. She enjoys a challenge from the interns when exercising and always gives her best attitude at Neuro-fit!”

Mary has been on a long journey to recovery.  In 2010 she was the Acting Principal of an elementary school in Lynn.  She woke up one morning feeling dizzy.  When her dizziness persisted, she went to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).  AVMs disrupt normal blood flow, diverting blood through abnormal blood vessels and causing it to bypass the surrounding normal tissue.  The cause of AVMs is unknown. Some people with brain AVMs experience symptoms such as localized headaches, seizures or difficulty with movement, speech or vision. For about 50% of all brain AVMs, however, hemorrhage is the first sign.

A bleeding AVM is a life-threatening emergency and Mary spent three weeks in a coma in the ICU.  When she finally awoke, she experienced weakness in her right side and could not speak.

“I was always a big talker,” says Mary.  “But I couldn’t speak for 3 months.  I could only nod my head.”  Leaving the Hospital for Spaulding rehab, Mary received occupational, speech and physical therapy daily.  After nine months of intense therapy and exercise, Mary was finally able to return home.

“Prior to my AVM I was never sick a day in my life,” Mary says.  “So I had 250 days of sick time accumulated.”  Her sick time served her well as she continued working on therapy with visiting nurses for three months, then travelling to outpatient therapy, and especially speech therapy to treat her aphasia.  “I was going into Boston, to BU where they have an aphasia research center, and Northeastern and Emerson College.”  Mary participates in aphasia studies, talks with other aphasia sufferers and even participates in student training activities.

Mary was determined to return to teaching, something she loves.  She started volunteering at the same elementary school where she worked before her brain injury.  After a year of volunteering five days a week, she convinced the school administrator she was ready to return to full-time teaching.  She holds two degrees, in Elementary Education and in English as a Second Language (ESL).  She’s been teaching ESL for ten years, switching to online learning during Covid.

Mary was also determined to re-learn to drive.  “I took a test at Spaulding where they told me I could drive again, with training.  I attended an adaptive driving school in Dedham and it took 4 years for me to get my license.”  She now drives in Boston to her aphasia sessions, as well as to Neuro-Fit classes.  “I love Neuro-Fit!  I love the way I feel getting a workout and the sometimes-difficult exercises.  The trainers are great, and I really like the NuStep.”