Drawing on research from Australia, the Glenrose launched a pilot ballistic strength training program this spring — offering adult stroke and brain injury patients a dynamic new path toward recovery.
When Shawn Amour arrived at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in June 2025, he was told he may never walk, talk, or regain use of his arm. Just one week earlier, he had suffered a stroke, leaving him with significant impairments on his right side.
The possibility of spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair was becoming real. But just six weeks later, Shawn, who initially needed two people and a wide-based cane to walk, left the hospital using only a single cane.
“This program was the difference between wanting to get my life back, and actually getting it back,” says Shawn.
He was one of the first participants in the Glenrose’s new ballistic strength training program, which introduces high-intensity, power-based exercises to stroke and brain injury rehabilitation. Unlike traditional strength training, ballistic training uses fast, forceful movements that mimic real-life actions like climbing stairs, walking, and catching yourself when off balance. These exercises help patients build strength, confidence, and functional independence, developing skills that directly support their return to everyday life at home, at work, and in the community.
For Shawn, that meant leg presses, jump training, and dynamic routines that pushed his limits.
Thanks to donor support of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation, the specialized equipment needed to deliver this program is available to adult patients like Shawn, and shared with pediatric patients across other rehab programs, extending its impact hospital-wide.
“Stroke is one of the worst things to experience,” says Shawn. “You lose yourself, your dignity. You need permission to drink water, to do just about anything. What ballistics means to me is being able to push myself and fight for what I want. It’s opened up a lot of doors for me to do things independently and to set goals for my life.”
Attending the program three times a week, Shawn not only improved his strength, he also built his confidence and regained a sense of control over his recovery. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time with Shawn outside of the ballistics class. With ballistics strength training, he comes in a better mood. His confidence has increased in his abilities both in-and-out of physio,” says Erik Soriano, Shawn’s therapy assistant.
Erik and the Glenrose team are hopeful that this is just the beginning, and successes like Shawn’s will continue to shape the future of the program.
“There is increased research showing that high intensity and power training for stroke patients is really beneficial and may be more effective than traditional strength training. What’s nice with the equipment that we have is that we can empower and push our patients, while still minimizing the risk of orthopedic injuries,” shares Dave Henderson, a physical therapist at the Glenrose. “It’s exciting for us as a team because we’re working with some of the newest research that is out there and seeing positive results for patients like Shawn and others in the early stages of this class.”
As for Shawn, he’s not done yet.
“If you’re still here, you’re breathing. That’s easy. Life is hard, but you’ve got to think of things you can do.”
One of his first goals? To walk his granddaughter to the park.
And someday — stand to watch her graduate.
