VIDEO Testimonials from Concussion Patients describing their rehabilitation at Riverview Eye Associates. CLICK the links:
Brie: https://youtu.be/Bfxtv0MuzLM
Mellisa: https://youtu.be/8HHU1vkGNEo
Ruth: https://youtu.be/NQsVlq3dswI
Amy: https://youtu.be/Ss5YasvIMUA
WRITTEN Testimonials:
Don H: /storage/app/media/IMG_0333.jpg (click to open his letter)
"My therapy at REA has dramatically improved my vision and coordination which was severely disrupted by severe brain injury when I was struck by a vehicle while walking in a crosswalk. I had extreme double vision and several other issues which seem to improve daily. I can now read, draw, and walk almost normally again. The care, expertise, and respect I have received have all been exemplary and astonishing."
John S.
"I was referred to Dr. Curtis due to having a concussion after a motor vehicle accident. I had never heard of this type of therapy, but I was open to try anything that could potentially get me back to my normal life. Dr. Curtis is very caring and put me at ease. He explained things clearly, and answered all of my questions. Most importantly, he made me feel like everything was going to be okay, and that I’m not alone. All of the staff (Holly, OT, Ect.) are very professional, and they also explained things clearly. I completed the 30 day program at the end of August. I’m slowly transitioning back to work. My symptoms are not completely gone, but I’m better now than I was five months ago. I had my 90 day checkup and he provided me with a three week light therapy plan at home that I’m currently doing. I believe I me Dr. Curtis for a reason. I have spoke to many people about his program, including my Primary care physician who is very interested in this therapy. This can benefit both children and adults. I feel blessed to have met Dr. Curtis and his staff, and to have participated in this program. I highly recommend people to at least meet him and get more information for yourself or your child."
Patricia H.
"I believe that this has definitely helped. I used to not be able to do something simple as go to the grocery store without becoming dizzy and feeling sick. I have noticed an improvement. It is a slow steady process, but I am thankful I did this. It was great coming to a doctor who said 'I know what’s wrong' It was very frustrating not knowing what was happening".
Kendra R.
"Thanks to the Multi-sensory training my life is returning to normal. Instead of struggling with dizziness five to six days per week. I have challenges only one to two days per week."
Amy S.
"In searching for solutions for my daughters difficulties in learning to read I was incredibly fortunate to come across Dr. Steven Curtis. He was able to assess rather quickly the issues she was having with her eyes that were inhibiting a very bright child from learning to read. Dr. Curtis recommended vision therapy. The commitment to vision therapy gave my daughter life changing results. By the end of therapy she was not only caught up to grade level but soon exceeded grade level shortly after. Unexpected results were, her balance, and being able to finally ride a bike, play sports because of improved hand eye coordination. And her over active constant movement became that of a normal active kid. She developed over time more ability to sit and focus for longer periods. The benefits were immediate and continued to progress for about six months to a year. I found Dr. Curtis and his staff to be honest, caring, and of great integrity. If your child is having issues or has been “labeled” I highly recommend a consultation with Dr. Curtis."
Angel M.
"I was involved in a serious car accident in February 2016 at the age of 62.
After 2 weeks flat on my back in bed, in a dark room on pain medication, I began the slow process of recovery. I only left my home for Doctor appointments and physical therapy for months afterward. I was constantly dizzy and light headed therefore restricted from driving. I went to several specialists, a psychologist for stress and trauma therapy, and physical therapy for the bodily injuries. The constant dizziness continued and on June 21st I fainted in my home, hitting my head resulting in a second concussion and re-injuring my neck. Months of physical therapy followed yet the dizziness and light headed feeling remained. Eventually, my Physical Therapists informed me that there was nothing more they could do to help me and felt there was a “disconnect” between my eyes and my brain. I was referred to Dr. Curtis for evaluation and his therapy for which I am very grateful!!
In my initial meeting, Dr. Curtis and his staff performed many visual examinations and tests and determined I was a candidate for vision rehabilitation therapy. The first 4 days of therapy my symptoms did increase as Dr. Curtis prepared me they would. Thereafter, however I felt better each day. As I write this, I have completed 30 days of treatment and have my follow up appointment with Dr. Curtis and retesting today. I am looking forward to seeing how dramatically my test results will have improved!
The therapy included light therapy, vestibular therapy, eye movement therapy and auditory training. It is an amazing procedure and it worked for me. I went into this treatment with a very positive attitude and much excitement as I felt I was finally on the right path to resolve the constant dizziness I had been dealing with since February. I highly recommend Dr. Curtis and his professional staff. They are very dedicated to their patients and certainly helped me resolve the dizziness from the accident. I am very grateful for their help.
With Warm Regards,"
Ruth S.
"I did not understand how badly I felt until day six or eight of doing the “torture room” and I then realized I had my personality back. I was depressed, self-absorbed and pushing through my dizziness, confusion, fear of driving, and going to stores, and tired all the time. The SIT was painful at my left eye and left side of face for the first few times. I just had to have faith that it was ok to finish the time. Slowly I felt better with less dizziness, confusion, eye pain and at 90 days later I can see how far I have come. I have been driving 5-10 miles from home without difficulty. I can read more without eye pain and dizziness. Two weeks after the therapy I thought I was 90% better, but I still remember how bad it was. My mind is clearer. My dizziness is gone. I’m reading and comprehending better (in a quiet room) I feel like I have much of my independence back and I’m not waiting for another adult to help me care for me or my family."
Kelly P.
"I was in a roll-over accident in ’04. I have had problems on and off since then. I felt like my eyes were out of sync. Day 2 of therapy unlocked my left eye and helped them sync. The multi-sensory therapy also helped my balance and brain fog issues. I had struggled with these issues since 2004 with little improvement. This integration therapy has helped me reclaim parts of my life and improved my ability to endure daily activities."
Kurt S.
"Almost 2 years ago now I got post – concussion syndrome from a fall in soccer and then soon after falling down some stairs. I went through a few previous therapies because I was experiencing light and noise sensitivity, a feeling of being in a fog and with that came anxiety. Because of these symptoms I was not able to be in a classroom, drive or be in other social situations. After being through the other therapies and not seeing a change I was pretty discouraged walking into Dr. Curtis office. Incredibly enough he was the first person to say he would help, not maybe like I was use to hearing. At the beginning of the 12 days at the office I could already see a change. I went from not even thinking of going into a store to grocery shopping on day 8, which is definitely not something I expected to happen! After 30 days I genuinely felt so much better. Something had clicked in my brain and daily tasks became so much easier. Of course I was not fully back to myself after 30 days, but after a few months I was driving, attending college full time and had a part time job- all thanks to Dr. Curtis and his amazing team. I came back a little over a year later after some of my symptom came back because I knew this therapy helped me and it did the same again. I would and do highly recommend this treatment to anyone with post concussion syndrome or those in need of this therapy in other ways. It has changed my life for the better even though I never expected it to. Thank you to everyone at Riverview Eye Associates."
Abbie J.
"Following being rear ended by a semi approximately one year ago I was left with a pleathera of issues. They included a lack of balance, fogginess mentally, irritability and sleep issues. Beginning rehab I felt like there was no way this intervention could help me. After a week of working with Dr. Curtis and his amazing staff, I started to see change. At the end of the program, I saw an insane decrease in all the issues I was having. I cannot thank Dr. Curtis enough for all he did for me during this rehab."
Jacob R.
"We have seen so many positive improvements in Nolan since he started the Sensory Learning program. At home and at school, we have seen an increase in his confidence, flexibility, and willingness to try new things outside of his comfort zone. His reading skills have taken off, and he is already reading above grade level. He is willing to try writing lower case letters now and is not so hard on himself when he makes mistakes. He loves to do activities independently now that used to be way too frustrating for him before, such as completing a Lego set or playing an iPad game. At home, it has been much easier to get his attention now and for him to carry out multi-step directions. The morning routine is a breeze now! His obsession with animals has become much less of a problem for him. While his still loves this topic, he is showing interest in other things and will talk about other topics now. His teachers are also reporting more socializing and more interest in peers, and his therapists are reporting great receptiveness to speech and social group therapy. We were so nervous about what the transition to Kindergarten would bring for him, but things have gone much better than expected! We believe that the Sensory Learning program, in conjunction with other therapies, has helped set him up for this success."
Nolan's (age 5) Mother
"I have had at least 12 blows to the head over the last 50 to 60 years that slowly diminished brain function in an insidious way. Then on St. Patrick’s day 2011 I fell off a roof. As time went on I was angry but all too inappropriate in what I said, interrupted constantly, loud, narcissistic and argumentative as well as other social and emotional dysfunctions. I started to attended a TBI support group where the speaker at one of the meeting and was a neuro optometrist, Dr. Steven Curtis. I went to him to be evaluated thinking I had about three areas that he could help. I was right to go but totally wrong about the number of deficits he and his staff could help me improve. After much work with his amazing staff downstairs, I have now worked through about a dozen deficits.There were many 'Ah-Hah' moments when I saw improvements in areas I had not previously known to be a problem. I call the ladies downstairs who have all worked with me my, ‘Five Angels in the basement’. It is now over seven years after my most injurious fall. The first four years were a nightmare. I now look back on them and can’t believe what I was Like. I thank my wife, Tina for all she has done. Without her I would not have found Dr. Curtis and his angels who now have me bringing it all together in a caring way. Not only have they given me therapy that helped retrain my brain, but numerous aides to help on those days when I still have problems. Also, the Yoga breathing and thinking that helps calm me as well as help my balance, limberness and strength helps. Thank you Dr. Curtis and your staff down stairs. I never thought I would have to go downstairs to meet my angels!"
Anonymous
"When I began my treatment at Riverview, I had been dealing with headaches, pressure, and intense light sensitivity for about 6 months following a concussion I had experienced during a basketball game. My symptoms made simple everyday tasks difficult and restricted me a lot. I had to be careful not to overexert myself or my headaches especially would skyrocket. Most of all, I couldn’t be active at all or play any of the sports I love because my headaches and pressure made it impossible. But when a couple physical therapists I had worked with for awhile felt like they couldn’t do anything more for me, they referred me to Riverview Eye Associates. That’s when I first started to see marked improvements in my symptoms and an increase in what I could days of home light therapy. By the conclusion of those 30 days, I felt dramatically better. The intensity of my headaches had been cut in half, the pressure in my head was all but gone, and my light sensitivity problems were also greatly reduced. I continued to work with Riverview once a week for the next 12 weeks following the light therapy. By about the 10th week, all my symptoms were gone with just a slight headache every once in awhile, and I was finally cleared to play basketball again after 10 months of concussion rehab. I can honestly say that Riverview’s treatments are top of the line, and they made the difference in treating my symptoms when numerous other doctors couldn’t and didn’t know what to do. I would recommend Riverview Eye Associates to anyone who has experienced a concussion, especially if they can’t find answers at other practices!"
Anthony C.
"I was referred to Riverview Eye Associates 5 months after a concussion derailed my life. At that time I was extremely sensitive to light and sound which made it nearly impossible to watch TV or go to places with bright lights and loud noises. I couldn’t navigate my phone or computer without causing extreme eye fatigue and migraines. It was nearly impossible to read a book or look at my computer screen, which meant I had to lighten my work load drastically to avoid symptoms.
"I was car sick and could not focus on the road while driving. Trying to process everything needed to drive safely would cause eye strain and severe headaches. It also made me feel so exhausted that I avoided driving almost everywhere except the 2 miles to work each day.
"Since the 30 day vision therapy, I am less sensitive to light and sound which means I can tolerate periods of watching TV and able to go out to stores and restaurants in small doses without spiking symptoms. I can work on my computer and phone for longer periods of time which means I can phase back into my work responsibilities. I also feel more comfortable driving, which is huge!
"Even though I am not 100%, I have made great strides towards living a normal life again. I am optimistic that continued treatment with Riverview Eye Associates will help facilitate even more improvements.
"Thanks for opportunity to live my life again!"
Carolyn D.
"The Vision Performance Center at Riverview Eye Associates has played a huge role in my rehabilitation and recovery from a stroke which left me with serious vision problems. I learned of VPC during an eye exam when a neurologist mentioned the cutting edge work of Dr. Steven Curtis and the Vision Performance Center. Oddly, I and my family had first been using Riverside Eye Associates for regular vision care and treatment. I had been unaware of the research and therapy that Dr. Curtis and his staff had been performing for a while. I met with Dr. Curtis to discuss my issue. Knowing that I was in need of extensive vision therapy, I was immensely impressed with Dr. Curtis’ approach. VPC was what I was looking for because of his commitment to my success. His procedure was unlike any I could have imagined. When he said, 'I like to think out of the box,' I knew that VPC was what I was seeking. Since I have been at the center, I have seen significant improvement in my vision. In the months that I have been a patient, I can only express my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Curtis, and his team of superb Therapists, Shelley, Emily, Amanda, Sarah and Holly. All are highly skilled and compassionate professionals and I am fortunate to have them in my corner. I cannot more highly recommend VPC to anyone in need of the highest level of vision therapy available anywhere in the USA or the world. To say I am satisfied would be an understatement. I can’t thank the professionals at Vision Performance Center for helping me overcome a serious vision problem that I am confident will help me return to a better and productive lifestyle."
Bill G.
