Steffany’s story: Finding Purpose in Rehabilitation
Steffany Quintana, 24, was an active college student, busily studying for finals and the LSAT for law school admission.
“I was living a completely normal life. I worked full time, went to school full time and was always on the go,” she said.
When she began feeling sick on April 18, she wasn’t overly concerned and attributed it to anxiety, as she had occasional panic attacks during times of stress at school. When she started to lose strength on her left side, her boyfriend encouraged her to call 911, but she still believed it to be a panic attack. Then, she began vomiting. “All I tasted was iron,” she said. After he helped her to the bed to lie down, Steffany’s left arm began to contract, and she could no longer control her left hand. It was then that her boyfriend insisted she call the paramedics.
I was thinking, ‘Why am I here, this isn’t going to work. It did. I definitely came out stronger.”
— Steffany Quintana
By the time she arrived at a local acute care hospital, doctors told Steffany’s family she had experienced a stroke. Though the bleeding had stopped, she still had a large amount of swelling in her brain that was leaving her unable to walk, talk or swallow on her own. After seven days in the ICU, Quintana was deemed medically stable enough to be transferred to Encompass Heath Rehabilitation Hospital to begin her recovery. Though she was determined to progress as much—and as quickly— as possible, Quintana soon found that her stroke had also caused her to lose her ability to control her emotions. “The first day I came in, someone in the gym was ringing the bell,” she said. “I broke down crying. The director of therapy told me that would be me soon.”
Steffany’s used the AutoAmbulator®, a treadmill-like device that allowed her to get in a standing position in a harness. Robotics assist the patient’s legs, simulating walking. Though she was skeptical of the equipment at first, she admits, soon she realized its purpose. “My therapist kept
repeating ‘Heel, toe’ to remind me how to move my feet,” Steffany said. “As time progressed, I noticed I was doing it on my own.”
Occupational therapy helped her regain fine motor skills and prepared her to walk with a backpack for when she returned to school. Regaining her ability to swallow—Steffany’s most important goal—was celebrated with Coke, her favorite beverage. Steffany’s team knew when to push her and when to comfort her and showed her that she was capable of doing more than she
thought. Most importantly, her team taught her to be patient with herself and trust the plan put in place for her.
“In the first two or three days,
I was thinking, ‘Why am I here, this isn’t going to work,’” Steffany said. “It did. I definitely came out stronger.”
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Confident Smiles Start With Clear Options
With gentle, personalized care and flexible options, kids and teens can achieve a healthy smile without disrupting their daily lives or confidence.
VARONE ORTHODONTICS
LAKEWOOD RANCH: 6286 Lake Osprey Dr. PHONE: (941) 907-8898
SARASOTA: 2916 Bee Ridge Road
PHONE: (941) 922-6444
WEBSITE: www.mvorthodontics.com
Ahealthy smile is important at any age, but for kids and teens, it can shape how they feel about themselves and how they interact with the world. “I’ve seen how confidence and attitude improve from the beginning of treatment to the end. Even the shy ones end up smiling and feeling good about themselves,” says Dr. Karen Varone. A successful treatment plan for a healthy smile isn’t one-size-fits-all-it’s different for every child or teen. That’s why Dr. Varone offers free, in-depth consultations for parents exploring orthodontic options. A personalized approach is essential to finding the right path forward.” During the consultation, parents will get all the information they need to decide what is right for their schedule, kids, and family,” she explains.
During the consultation, Dr. Varone explains the differences between braces and Invisalign options, including Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Expanders, and Invisalign First. Designed with growing mouths in mind, these options offer clear aligners that are removable, easy to clean, and much less noticeable than traditional braces. That means fewer disruptions to sports, music, meals, and self-esteem.
Invisalign First, designed for children ages 7 to 12, gently guides jaw development and corrects bite issues early. This often prevents more complex orthodontic problems later. Early treatment typically lasts 6 to 12 months and lays the foundation for lifelong dental health.
PARENT QUESTIONS, EXPERT ANSWERS
What’s the right age to start orthodontic treatment?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial evaluation by age 7. Early care can guide growth and prevent bigger issues later.
Will Invisalign affect my child’s activities? Not at all. Aligners are removable and barely noticeable-great for sports, music, acting, and speaking.
How often are appointments needed?
Fewer than with traditional braces. Most visits are short, simple check-ins every 8 to 12 weeks.
What if we’re unsure about which option to choose?
Dr. Varone offers free consultations to walk you through every option and help find the best fit for your child and family.
Invisalign Teen comes with smart features specifically tailored for teens. Because Invisalign aligners are comfortable and barely noticeable, they reduce embarrassment, minimize disruptions, and provide more motivation to stay on track. “Sometimes students come in who are nervous about how orthodontics will impact the activities they love, such as athletics or music, acting, and singing. They relax when they discover that Invisalign won’t affect their speech or comfort. And, since a standout feature of Invisalign aligners is their comfort and discreetness, it won’t affect a budding athlete’s ability to be on the field.”
Even the shy ones end up smiling and feeling good about themselves.”
- Dr. Karen Varone
From an oral hygiene, scheduling, and comfort standpoint, Invisalign is often far superior to traditional braces, and requires fewer appointments. However, thanks to Dr. Varone’s high level of expertise, all treatment options lead to the same significant improvements. “In my office, we get top results with either method, and feel confident putting the decision in the hands of the family to decide what’s best for them.”
ADDRESS: 330 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Losing Weight, Gaining Life
For Alexis Upham and Jerry Gray their 30th anniversary gift wasn’t jewelry or a vacation. It was a shared decision to reclaim their health: one that ended up saving Jerry’s life.
It literally saved my life.”
— Jerry Gray
underwent emergency open-heart surgery. The surgeon told them his recent weight loss and improved health were what helped him survive.
Danee Barnett describes her approach as “nutritional rehabilitation.” “Most people struggle with emotional hunger from stress and habit, not just physical hunger,” she says. “We heal the body and the relationship with food using real, nutrient-dense meals.”
For Alexis and Jerry, it wasn’t deprivation. It was empowerment. “We weren’t hungry. We just ate better,” says Alexis. Electro-acupuncture sessions helped regulate hormones and ease cravings. “It was a full body reset,” adds Jerry. One challenge was preparing two full meals a day with the right balance of protein, fats, vegetables, and fruit. “It took planning,” Alexis says. “But now it feels like selfcare.”
HEALTHY TIPS
According to Danee Barnett, nutritional rehabilitation means:
■ Healing emotional hunger and food dependency
■ Focusing on real, nutrientdense meals
■ Supporting hormone balance with electro-acupuncture
■ Creating sustainable habitsnot just dieting
■ Avoiding long-term use of GLP-1 injections
“We
PHONE: 941-365-0812 VISIT: www.daneebarnett.com
“We’d both gained weight during the pandemic, and nothing we tried worked,” says Jerry. “My clothes didn’t fit, my energy was low, and I wanted to be healthy for Alexis.”
injections. Although we can offer them, experience has shown me that our natural system is by far more affordable, more effective and there are no side effects. We can eliminate the FOOD NOISE without drugs. I know my system works. I’ve done it myself and have kept 30 pounds off since 2009.”
In May 2023, they enrolled in the Danee Barnett Weight Loss & Wellness Program. By the end of the summer, Alexis had lost about 35 pounds, and Jerry was down 25. Then in September, while on vacation in North Carolina, Jerry
They now maintain their results with regular weigh-ins and occasional 20-hour fasts to manage cravings and stay on track. They have easily kept the weight off for over 2 years. “We still enjoy life. We’ll have gelato once a month, and a glass of wine when we are out with friends, but we’re more intentional now,” says Alexis. Barnett emphasizes that longterm support is key. “We reset and retest metabolism and coach clients to maintain success. This isn’t a diet. It’s a lifestyle reset. There is no need for expensive, forever GLP-1
The couple agrees. “Don’t mess around with other diets,” Alexis says. “This program is worth every penny.”
Jerry adds, “It literally saved my life.” DANEE
