A 77-year-old artist and hairstylist rebuilt strength, balance, and confidence through specialized in-home physical therapy in Parkland, FL with Dr. Vincenzo Bombara, DPT.
At 77 years old, Ron has lived a life shaped by creativity, resilience, and love. Born in Flushing, New York, he moved with his family to a low-cost housing project in Brooklyn when he was eight. Even as a child, art brought him joy. He later attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, developing the creativity that defined his life.
After graduating, Ron pursued hairstyling while working as a waiter by day and hairdressing school by night. He worked at a small salon near Gramercy Park for 20 years, then spent 44 years as a hairdresser, building lasting client relationships while expressing his artistic eye. In New York, he met Elliot, the love of his life. Together 52 years and married 11, they moved to Florida to live by the ocean.
A Surgery That Changed Everything
Ron’s health challenges began when doctors discovered his cervical spine canal was too narrow, compressing his spinal cord. He walked into surgery pain-free but emerged with chronic pain that never subsided.
Years later, disaster struck again. His leg suddenly collapsed, shattering and requiring complex ankle replacement surgery similar to hip or knee replacements. Before surgery, his leg hung suspended for three weeks while swelling subsided. Post-surgery, Ron faced rebuilding strength and mobility from nothing.
For this lifetime athlete, losing independence was emotionally devastating.
Meeting Dr. Vincenzo “Vinnie” Bombara
That’s when his journey with Dr. Vincenzo Bombara, DPT, GCS, MBA began—Florida Licensed Physical Therapist #PT26831 and Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist #42342.
Bedridden and emotionally exhausted, Ron met Dr. Bombara who taught him basic transitions: bed to wheelchair. “I had to learn everything again,” Ron remembers.
Dr. Bombara saw beyond physical limitations: “He was very depressed and giving up. But we stuck together.”
The turning point? Dr. Bombara’s words: “There is no such thing as having no core or balance. We are going to build you one.”
The Power of In-Home Physical Therapy
Progress began in rehabilitation, then continued in Ron’s home through in-home physical therapy in Parkland, FL. Each small success restored strength and confidence.
For Ron, recovery meant more than exercises—it meant trust. “Dr. Vinnie is the only person in my life I never second-guess,” Ron says. “I trust him with my life.”
Dr. Bombara’s approach emphasized progress over perfection: “Don’t worry if you didn’t do it right the first time or second. Let’s get it right the third.”
Progress began in rehabilitation, then continued in Ron’s home through in-home physical therapy in Parkland, FL. Each small success restored strength and confidence.
Progress began in rehabilitation, then continued in Ron’s home through in-home physical therapy in Parkland, FL. Each small success restored strength and confidence.
For Ron, recovery meant more than exercises—it meant trust. “Dr. Vinnie is the only person in my life I never second-guess,” Ron says. “I trust him with my life.”
Dr. Bombara’s approach emphasized progress over perfection: “Don’t worry if you didn’t do it right the first time or second. Let’s get it right the third.”
Life Reclaimed
Today Ron continues weekly therapy, complemented by acupuncture for pain management. Elliot receives twice-weekly sessions for sciatica, now mostly resolved.
Ron returned to his passions: painting, sculpting, interior design. He enjoys thrillers, horror films, and crime stories with dramatic car chases.
Most importantly, he regained hope.
“I will swear on a Bible, he is the best human being I have ever known,” Ron says. “If I had a son, I would want him to be just like Vincenzo—a fantastic father, friend, husband, and physical therapist.”
“I don’t think emotionally or physically I would have ever gotten through this without Dr. Vinnie. He was God’s gift to me.”
*“Every time I refer someone to Dr. Vinnie,” Ron adds, “they don’t stop thanking me.”
Ron’s journey proves recovery means rebuilding confidence and purpose through personalized care that sees the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
