By Noor Elghazi
“Let me tell you—it’s been quite a ride these past few years. If you had told me back in 2023 that I’d be sitting here today, feeling like a new man, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. Here I am today, moving better and feeling better than I have in years.” – The View Alexandria resident Joe Fischer
As an intern at Goodwin Living, I’ve seen firsthand how older adults are cared for and supported by all team members here. In my role as a Marketing & Communications intern, I had the opportunity to interview The View Alexandria (TVA) resident Joe Fischer, who shared his journey from being misdiagnosed multiple times to finding the answers he’s been seeking. With the help and support of TVA Director of Goodwin Rehabilitation Lia Poynor and TVA Physical Therapist Olivia Muro, Joe’s health completely changed for the better.
Here’s how Goodwin Rehabilitation helped Joe through a history of misdiagnosis and decreased independence to regain full mobility.
Goodwin Rehabilitation Helps Joe Fischer Recover | His Testimonial
“It all kicked off with some trouble walking,” said Joe. “Starting some years ago, my steps got slower, more uncertain, and I just didn’t feel like myself. Then, in 2023, I experienced more falls and went from a cane to a walker and then to a wheelchair in less than a year.”
“The first stop was the neurosurgeons, who figured it had to be lumbar stenosis, a narrowing in the spine,” he continued. “They were talking about back surgery as the fix, and for a while, that seemed like the plan. But something didn’t sit right. Despite physical therapy, some shots to relieve pain, and all the best efforts, things just weren’t getting better.”
Then came another diagnosis—Parkinson’s Disease.
“I started the medications and did the physical therapy,” Joe said, “but still, nothing seemed to change. That’s when my care team started scratching their heads. If it wasn’t my back, and it wasn’t Parkinson’s, what in the world was going on?”
Enter Goodwin Rehabilitation team members Lia Poynor and Olivia Muro.
“These two wonderful people took a real interest in my case,” said Joe, “and thank goodness they did. In their expert analysis after months of therapy, something wasn’t adding up. I wasn’t moving like other Parkinson’s patients and was not getting better. Lia and Olivia believed I needed to talk with someone who specializes in movement disorders. They wrote my son a note, urging him to seek another opinion. That little push changed everything.”
By September of 2024, there was finally a fresh set of eyes on Joe’s case. Dr. Drew Falconer, the chair of Movement Disorders at Inova, took one look at Joe’s imaging and had an entirely different suspicion: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). Dr. Falconer pointed to Joe’s magnetic gait, the way his feet seemed to stick to the floor, and said, “This isn’t Parkinson’s—this is NPH.”
“That diagnoses led to a lumbar puncture, which then led to my surgical procedure,” said Joe. “The team at Inova Fairfax placed a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt in my skull. The difference was night and day. My walking improved almost immediately.”
“I can’t thank everyone enough,” he continued. “Dr. Falconer, Lia, Olivia, the Inova Neurosurgery teams in Loudoun and Fairfax, my son and my whole care team—for pushing to find the real answer.”
“My experience with Goodwin Rehabilitation has been number one,” he said. “Lia and Olivia are proficient and anticipatory with their patients and everybody here loves them, they really do.”
Real Results. Real Recovery. Goodwin Rehabilitation Delivers
Today, in addition to gardening, Joe spends his time maintaining the greenhouse and working at the Lemon Tree, an on-campus shop at TVA for residents to purchase necessities and merchandise.
A few years ago, these activities seemed impossible to him. “I am certain I couldn’t have done any of this before,” said Joe. “I can do things for myself now, which is great because I wasn’t able to do that before.”
“I am thankful to Almighty God for inspiring me to never give up and to be an advocate for myself,” Joe said. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this, it’s don’t be afraid to ask questions and get a second opinion. It just might change your life.”
Joe did not give up despite being misdiagnosed and mistreated multiple times. Thanks to the personalized service and endless support from Lia Poynor, Olivia Muro and the rest of his care team, he saw incredible improvements in his overall health and mobility. I was truly inspired to hear his story and see in person the difference Goodwin Living made to him.
For more information on Goodwin Rehabilitation and our services, visit GoodwinRehabilitation.org or call us at 703-797-3869.
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Noor Elghazi is a rising senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Marketing. As a Summer 2025 Marketing and Communications intern at The View Alexandria, Noor assists with internal and external communications, social media and blog content. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, painting, going on walks, and traveling.
