Training someone with hemiplegia

[Dunk]

Hello Mark

I was wondering if you've ever trained someone with hemiplegia or if one of the docs on here have. I have a friend who's asked for my help, it was aquired during birth, he's 23 and it's fairly severe. Its pretty noticable in his walk and he is unable to hold anything heavy with the affected hand. I've read a little on the condition and from what I can gather it's a little like having a stroke and can actually be a result of stroke.

Sorry if i've missed out any key information but my knowledge on the condition is pretty limited at the moment.

Thank you.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have. What did you want to know?

[Dunk]

Basically how you trained them really, my friend's weakness, as ive already said, is quite severe so how do you progress with someone like this.
is the starting strength model appropriate in the early stages? I know it's not a clear cut case but I'd just like a few pointers and also to know how far you progress someone with hemiplegia. I'm guessing just progress him in any way till he can squat, bench, press and deadlift and then obviously go from there. How severe was his/her hemiplegia?

[Mark Rippetoe]

She was pretty severe. We started with the leg press and eventually got to some version of a squat. Bench press started with a light bar, she eventually got to 60 x 5. She couldn't press at all, and the lat machine got a lot of use. You just start with a movement he can do at a weight he can do it, and go up very slowly.

[Dunk]

Thanks mark,

Out of curiosity did it help with "unfisting" her hand if it was 'fisted' when you first started?
Also was her walking gait visibly better by the end? I ask because although obviously being physically disabled is shit it gets him really down when people notice when where out.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I unfisted her hand for the bar, but neither you nor I can fix the neurological situation.

[Dunk]

Thanks rip it's appreciated.