Stroke Survival Story: Tommy Fello’s Journey to Recovery

Tommy Fello, a restaurateur from Ohio, was driving home on Christmas Eve when he noticed he was swerving off the road. He had been awake since 4 a.m., preparing a holiday feast for his family and initially thought he had a flat tire. Driving slowly and using his vehicle’s autocorrect system, he finally reached home safely.

However, once he stepped out of the truck, he couldn’t maintain his balance.

“I realized it wasn’t the truck that was veering; it was me,” Fello recalled. After speaking with his wife and daughter, who observed he appeared unwell, they called 911 shortly after. Paramedics took him to a nearby hospital, where he experienced a loss of movement in his left arm and leg.

“They felt like mere appendages. I couldn’t feel or control them,” he shared.

Though a clot-busting medication helped reverse the stroke, feelings of numbness lingered, affecting the left side of his body, including his face. Simple tasks became a struggle; swallowing, eating, and drinking felt challenging. While physical and occupational therapy provided minor improvements, progress was slow.

Dr. Sharon Covey, Fello’s occupational therapist and founder of the Center for Stroke and Hand Recovery, met with him in January 2024. She noted that his left arm was stuck in a bent position, causing ongoing pain, making work at his restaurant impossible.

“It was terrifying. You don’t realize how much you take for granted until simple actions feel like monumental tasks,” Fello explained. “Each small victory—lifting my arm or holding a cup—felt huge. Those breakthroughs kept me motivated, yet there was always this nagging question: ‘Is this it for me?'”

Exploring New Technology

One day, while in recovery, another stroke survivor recommended the Vivistim System, an implant designed to aid rehabilitation through vagus nerve stimulation. This FDA-approved device, created by MicroTransponder Inc., aims to enhance hand and arm function in stroke patients.

Vagus nerves, the longest cranial nerves in the body, control involuntary functions. The Vivistim system enables therapists to send wireless signals to the implant, delivering a gentle pulse to the nerve while the patient carries out rehabilitation exercises. Patients also perform exercises at home.

Dr. Erez Nossek, a neurosurgeon at NYU Langone, explained that vagus nerve stimulation could boost the brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity, allowing stroke survivors to make quicker and more significant improvements in motor skills.

“This technology is groundbreaking. No other FDA-approved method exists that enhances neuroplasticity for stroke survivors. The connections formed in the brain are lasting, even when the device is no longer active,” Nossek emphasized.

A study published in The Lancet in 2021 showed that patients using the device achieved two to three times more improvement in hand and arm function compared to traditional rehab methods. Those with limited functioning six months post-stroke, classified as having “moderate to severe deficits,” are eligible for the device.

A New Phase in Fello’s Recovery

Fello went to the Cleveland Clinic, where he met Dr. Mark Bain, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon focused on stroke recovery, particularly for those like Fello whose progress had plateaued. After assessing him, Bain found Fello suitable for the Vivistim System. On April 29, 2025, he became the first patient at the Cleveland Clinic to receive the implant.

“I wasn’t scared; I was eager to see its effectiveness,” Fello stated.

The hour-long procedure involved making a small incision to implant the leads just below the carotid artery, leaving a minimal scar hidden in a fold of Fello’s neck. A key-fob-sized device was placed under his clavicle. The procedure is considered low-risk, with a less than 1% chance of complications. Two weeks later, the device was activated, and Fello resumed therapy with Covey.

Since the implant’s insertion, Covey noted remarkable progress. Fello reported no pain or tension in his arm and began practicing carrying objects with his left hand. While still challenging, this was a feat he couldn’t have accomplished before. Now 72, he expressed his joy over the strides he’s made.

“I’m very, very pleased with how it has gone so far,” he said proudly.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Bain stated that around 800,000 individuals experience ischemic strokes each year in the U.S. Technologies like Vivistim offer hope to those struggling to recover through traditional rehabilitation. “Over the next five to ten years, I envision significant advancements in therapies and devices to help stroke survivors regain their independence,” he remarked. “The future holds immense potential for stroke recovery.”

Bain had already provided the Vivistim implant to seven other patients by the time of his conversation, and Covey reported eight patients at her practice receiving similar therapy. While MicroTransponder declined to disclose how many patients have received the implant, a map showing various providers has been shared.

“This is the most effective strategy we have for helping patients regain use of affected limbs,” Covey noted. “This technology could revolutionize stroke rehabilitation, which has relied on outdated theories for decades.”