[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/01\/ethans-story\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/01\/ethans-story\/","headline":"Ethan’s Story: How Cognitive Rehab Helped Him After an ATV Accident","name":"Ethan’s Story: How Cognitive Rehab Helped Him After an ATV Accident","description":"Ethan dealt with memory loss after suffering a traumatic brain injury in an ATV accident. Cognitive therapy helped him improve.","datePublished":"2022-01-12","dateModified":"2023-04-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-811280970.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-811280970.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/01\/ethans-story\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Rehabilitation","UPMC Stories"],"wordCount":481,"articleBody":"At 18 years old, Ethan experienced a traumatic brain injury \u2014 the result of a brain bleed after an ATV accident. Flown to UPMC Presbyterian and later transferred to UPMC Montefiore, Ethan underwent many surgeries and received treatment from a variety of health care providers.But memory loss was the biggest challenge he faced.In the hospital for 12 days, Ethan only remembered two of them. Memory loss kept him from driving and hanging out with friends, and it created challenges when talking to others. He also couldn’t continue his welding career.When Ethan\u2019s mother, Hillary, began seeing a psychologist for guidance, she learned about\u00a0the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. Outpatient rehabilitation options include memory loss and cognitive rehabilitation programs.Ethan was referred to\u00a0UPMC Rehabilitation Institute \u2013 Cranberry, located at the\u00a0UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex\u00a0in Cranberry Township. There, he could receive cognitive therapy as well as physical therapy and occupational therapy to help him with motions and moving properly.Regaining Independence and FunctionMarissa Vetica, MS, a certified speech language pathologist, was Ethan’s speech therapist. She also put together exercise programs to address his cognitive linguistic functions, including:Attention.Memory.Shape recognition skills.Problem solving and reasoning.\u201cI can’t say enough about Marissa,” Hillary says. \u201cShe knew what was going on with him before he even knew. She knew exactly what he was going through and how to treat his memory.”According to Ethan and his mother, he developed a special connection with Marissa. She explained things in a way Ethan understood which reassured him that he would recover. Soon after starting therapy with Marissa, Hillary noticed her son’s attitude change completely.\u201cMarissa pushed Ethan in the right direction,” Hillary says.Ethan’s mental status began to improve. Six months after the accident, he was cleared to drive again. He now works in lawn care while rebuilding the skills and strength to get back to his welding career.According to Ethan, it’s important to always stay positive and keep moving forward.\u201cMarissa is amazing and helped me a lot,” he says.\u201cI’m so grateful for Marissa and the care my son received from the beginning,” Hillary says. \u201cShe helped him regain some of his independence and start getting back to normal, and I can’t thank her enough.”Rehabilitation Institute in Cranberry TownshipThe UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, located at the\u00a0UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex\u00a0in Cranberry Township, offers free on-site parking and is handicap accessible. Services in Cranberry Township include:Amputee program.Aquatic therapy.Balance therapy.Blood flow restriction.Certified hand therapy.Limb loss program-lower extremity.Lymphedema management.Men’s health.Neurological therapy.Occupational therapy.Physical therapy.Speech therapy.Sports rehab programs.Women’s rehab program.To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 1-888-723-4277 or\u00a0visit our website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 12, 2022, and was last reviewed on December 6, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Ethan’s Story: How Cognitive Rehab Helped Him After an ATV Accident","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/01\/ethans-story\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]