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Small steps, big goals: Heron Terrace resident aims to walk again
Steve Spanik has been working with the nursing rehab team to regain his mobility
1/28/2026
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Deron Hamel
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Steve Spanik, pictured above, keeps making strides forward in Heron Terrace's nursing rehab program.
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When Steve Spanik moved into Heron Terrace, he couldn't transfer independently and required a full mechanical lift, but today he's stronger, more confident and working towards a goal of walking again, thanks to his determination and encouragement from the Windsor long-term care community's nursing rehabilitation team.
Since he started participating in the nursing rehab program, Steve has made impressive physical gains and is setting new goals for himself. His No. 1 goal is to walk independently, explains Mervat El-Ainain, Heron Terrace's volunteer co-ordinator.
When Steve joined the nursing rehab program, he began practising range-of-motion and bed mobility exercises, which helped him improve his strength.
The nursing rehab team then adjusted his program, and he began working on active-range-of-motion exercises and transfer training. In these programs, Steve has thrived, Mervat says.
While Steve was cautious at first, as his mobility improved, so did his confidence in his abilities, she adds.
“Although he sometimes doubted his strength and capabilities, he began practising sit-to-stand exercises and gradually built up his standing endurance to over 45 seconds at a time,” Mervat tells S&R Today.
Steve is now using the sit-to-stand lift for all transfers, and he continues to work hard to improve his core strength and endurance, Mervat says.
Steve says his goal is to “walk again,” and Mervat says she and the nursing rehab team have full faith in him.
“With his determination and positive mindset, the rehab team believes he will achieve this goal in the very near future,” she says.
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