Many actors put their all into their roles, doing everything they can to embody the character they're playing. Sometimes, a part of that character stays with them long after the camera stops. Recently, Redditor u/PumpkinCarvingisFun asked r/movies , "What's a role that rubbed off on an actor/actress and permanently changed their personality off screen?" Here are 16 of the most interesting replies: 1. " Angelina Jolie seemed like a weird 'bad girl' before starring in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider , but after shooting in Cambodia, she devoted herself to human rights and charity causes." — BaltimoreOctopus In 2022, Angelina told Harper's Bazaar India , "For me, going there was an awakening of many things in the world I didn’t know about, like what it means to be a refugee...I felt very honored when, years later, I was able to become a mother to a Cambodian son and have citizenship in the country. I feel at peace when I’m in Southeast Asia." 2. " The Truman Show and Man On The Moon caused an existential crisis for Jim Carrey . Since then, he's seemed to have a very different personality and outlook on life." — flynnwebdev Jim told The Talks , "Playing Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon in 1999, for example, I realized that I could lose myself in a character. I could live in a character. It was a choice. And when I finished with that, I took a month to remember who I was. 'What do I believe? What are my politics? What do I like and dislike?' It took me a while and I was depressed going back into my concerns and my politics. But there was a shift that had already happened. And the shift was, 'Wait a second. If I can put Jim Carrey aside for four months, who is Jim Carrey? Who the hell is that?' ...I know now he does not really exist. He’s ideas." 3. "Chris Pratt's transformation for Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy not only seemed to change his personality but also seemingly completely changed the trajectory of his personal life." — dosedatwer Chris told Best Fit , "I had gotten used to the idea of making a living as an actor by playing the fat friend who makes you laugh. That works for some roles, but you begin to realize how many parts you will never be able to get because you're out of shape. But at some point, I saw that if I wanted to have a serious career and play serious characters, I needed to get into shape and look after my body." He lost weight for Zero Dark Thirty , and a selfie he posted during training garnered attention from Marvel. Following multiple screen tests, he was called to the studio's offices. He said, "They held up the selfie from Zero Dark Thirty and said, 'You're too fat for Star-Lord. How long will it take you to look like this?' They gave me five-and-a-half months. I did what I had to do!" 4. "Paul Walker became a huge car enthusiast after The Fast and the Furious . Unfortunately, it quite literally led to his demise." — ApatheticFinsFan In 2001, Paul told IGN , "I mean, I was familiar with those cars before [the movie]. I mean I knew what everything was, I know Honda Civics, I know Supras, I know Mitsubishi Eclipse. I mean you name the make, I'll tell you the model or vice-versa. But I was always into domestics, like Chevys and Fords, muscle cars. But after doing this movie or getting into the movie, I should say, and after driving a coupla of them I was like, 'Oooooooh,' I mean it made me a believer. I didn't realize what these things are capable of doin'. But they're fun to drive, so I had to get one." The actor died in a car crash in 2013. He was sitting passenger in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, with Roger Rodas at the wheel. The car reached between 80 and 93 mph and hit a pole. Both men died. 5. "I wouldn't say permanently, but for a long time, after Elvis , Austin Butler couldn't talk without the accent, and I think in that entire time he couldn't get rid of the accent, he changed." — Independent-Dust4641 In 2024, Austin told The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that, coming out of playing Elvis, he was "just trying to remember who [he] was." He said, "I was trying to remember what I liked to do; all I thought about was Elvis for three years...I had a dialect coach just to help me not sound like Elvis." 6. "Tom Hanks. His follow-up collaborations with Spielberg after Saving Private Ryan [in which he played John H. Miller] show how much of an impact that movie had on his understanding of WWII and his empathy for the people who fought in it." — useridhere After Saving Private Ryan , the actor and the director co-produced two TV series about WWII — Band of Brothers and Masters of the Air . 7. "After the biopic Great Balls of Fire! , Dennis Quaid became Jerry Lee Lewis for a while in the '90s. It was annoying and exhausting." — Rellgidkrid In 2024, Dennis told Us Weekly , "I had a year to prepare for this role, and so I sat at the piano for 12 hours a day for a year, which is easy if you’re on cocaine. The piano is something else. And he is, he’s one of the greatest piano players ever, ever. It’s so athletic the way he plays. And what a guy.” After filming ended, he admitted himself to rehab to treat his addiction. There, he learned that you "can’t bring [work] home," so "you’ve got to let go of stuff." However, he held onto one important part of the musician — he still plays piano. 8. "Val Kilmer couldn't shake Jim Morrison, whom he played in the biopic The Doors , for years." — LostinLies1 Val reportedly attended therapy after filming to help him get out of character as Jim. 9. "Jeff Goldblum played a character called Ian Malcom in Jurassic Park , and he has been acting like that character to this day. I miss when he used to really act." "Like, if they remade The Fly with him in the lead role again, we would not get the same performance." — Sharktoothdecay 10. "Leslie Nielsen [who played Dr. Rumack] and Lloyd Bridges [who played Steve McCroskey] were both dramatic actors before Airplane! , and their performances there caused them to spend the rest of their careers in comedy." — rnilbog 11. "100% Al Pacino after playing as Lt. Col. Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman . A lot of late-era Pacino mannerisms are right out of this role. 'Hoo-ahhhh!,' the growling affectation, wandering head and eyelines." — discerningdm 12. "Christopher Walken was an up-and-coming leading man until he played a weirdo [Corporal Nikanor Chevotarevich] in The Deer Hunter. He has been typecast as such ever since, and I think he just leaned into that IRL." — ghostprawn 13. "Jeff Bridges IS The Dude [from The Big Lebowski ] now." — HesterMoffett 14. "Ryan Reynolds was already a massive fan of Deadpool, but after the film was successful, you saw a lot less The Voices and Mississippi Grinds coming from him." — njdevils901 15. "There's an old movie called Born Free about a couple in Kenya who care for lion cubs before sending two of them to a zoo in Europe. Elsa is the cub who stays behind, and the couple decide to return her to the wild. Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers, who played Joy and George Adamson, were so moved by the true story of the Adamsons and Elsa that [several years later] they gave up acting and became activists." Virginia McKenna is still active in the Born Free Foundation today and her son will take over when she's passed." — Ok_Locksmith5884 In 2024, Viriginia told The Times , "We started Zoo Check, later renamed the Born Free Foundation, in 1984 at our kitchen table. Our aim was to end the exploitation of wild animals in zoos and circuses. It was after an elephant called Pole Pole, who we did a film [ An Elephant Called Slowly ] with in Kenya, was gifted to London Zoo by the Kenyan government. She deteriorated in captivity and had to be put down. It was heartbreaking. I worked with some amazing people as an actress, but you can’t do everything, so I gave up acting to focus on the animals. It’s best to commit to the thing that really matters to you." 16. And finally: "James Cromwell became a pretty outspoken animal rights activist because of his role as Arthur Hoggett in Babe ." — PopeFrancis He became vegan because of the film as well. Which actors do you think were profoundly or permanently changed by a role they played on a TV show? Why? Share your thoughts in the comments! Some responses have been edited for length/clarity.There was a time not all that long ago when the United States would be seeking clearly to drive and define a particular narrative and outcome for the events unfolding in the Middle East. Seeking to mould events to its own benefit has been a central tenet of American foreign policy. But the remarkable and fast-moving developments in Syria, come at an unusual moment for America. Syria latest: Rebels expand control In Washington DC, there is a vacuum of leadership. We are in the midst of the transition between President Joe Biden and president-elect Donald Trump . President Biden is still running things at the White House but his ability to influence events in the Middle East, if he is even inclined to, has been shown to be limited. He is the lamest of lame duck presidents. More on Donald Trump Donald Trump says Prince William 'doing a fantastic job' as they meet for a second time in Paris this evening Prince William to meet Donald Trump in Paris ahead of Notre-Dame reopening Diplomatic opportunities at cathedral reopening as Trump set to meet Macron and Zelenskyy Related Topics: Donald Trump Joe Biden Syria Mr Trump does not become president until 20 January and so is unable officially to do anything. And yet he is already THE leading player on the world stage right now. What he does (and doesn't do) and what he says (and doesn't say) carries enormous weight. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player His presence in Paris this weekend - invited by President Emmanuel Macron - is as important as it is remarkable. I can't think of a precedent; a moment in recent history where a president-elect would hold such influence. Of the events in Syria, the Biden White House has said only that the administration is closely monitoring developments. Donald Trump however, on social media, on brand, has declared his hand. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player " Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" he wrote. On President Bashar al Assad's fate, his words were only marginally ambiguous. It "may actually be the best thing" for Mr Assad to be toppled, he said. Read more: Rebel forces 'reach Damascus suburbs' Insurgents close in on Homs Follow our channel and never miss an update. Mr Trump will not take over as president for another six weeks. And yet already it feels like he is more of a player and moulder of global events (because of what he does and doesn't choose to do and say) than at any time in his last presidency. There's another difference this time too. During Mr Trump's last presidency, there were powerful European counterbalances. But now, Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel is long gone and Mr Macron is weak, despite his diplomatic masterstroke in inviting Mr Trump to Paris.
Vance leads GOP charge escalating challenge to campaign finance limits to Supreme Court
What the Penguins have done since Thanksgiving Eve has been admirable. When everyone thought they were circling the drain, they won nine of 13 entering the NHL's Christmas break, flirting with a possible playoff spot. Their power play, which last year was a significant drag, was clicking at 30.8% during that time, their penalty kill at 90.6%. Meanwhile, they had simplified their breakouts, played tighter in the neutral zone and displayed a willingness to dump and chase to create offense. Perhaps most important, they showed during various stretches an ability to sustain momentum. Crazy, I know. But what happened Saturday on Long Island during a 6-3 loss to the Islanders at UBS Arena felt a little like a splash of cold water to the face, a reminder that problems still exist and that this remains a fringe playoff team at best. It's an uncomfortable reality, sure. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang only have so many years left. There's an inherent sense of urgency there, a need for Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas to place at least some importance on the present and not turn 100% of his attention to the future. But the best thing for Dubas and Co. remains to take a sober look at the assets the Penguins have, where they stand in the Eastern Conference playoff race, and probably make a couple ruthless decisions in the months ahead. In other words, Dubas should not deviate from the plan or get lulled into some false sense of security provided by this team's pre-holiday run. If Rickard Rakell (17 goals) is playing well enough that the Penguins might be able to attach Ryan Graves' contract to a deal and get talent back, Dubas should accept short-term frustration for the long-term gain the vacated salary-cap space would provide. Provided Marcus Pettersson (lower-body injury) returns soon, he's also an enticing trade chip — and someone more natural to move considering he's playing on an expiring contract. Now, this doesn't mean the Penguins should exclusively target draft picks in return. They should want players who are either NHL-ready or darn close in exchange for Rakell, Pettersson and other movable pieces. The tradeoff, of course, is functioning with less this season to receive contributions from new guys as early as 2025-26, when Crosby, Malkin and Letang (plus Erik Karlsson if you want to include him with that group) are still around to enjoy it. As far as Karlsson, I'd absolutely listen to offers, though I'm not sure how they'd sound considering the combination of his age, salary and play this season. Fortunately for Dubas and the Penguins, no decisions need to be made now. What the Penguins lacked on Saturday could prove to be a one-game blip — and that would be great. Change everything if the Penguins can somehow show that their 9-3-1 run heading into the break was real. I just don't know how much it has raised the group's collective ceiling. Given the team's depth issues on defense, it's natural to worry about the Penguins' ability to prevent opposing teams from scoring; they're still permitting an NHL-worst 3.70 goals against per game. It's also tough to see how their 53 goals scored (tied for the NHL lead) between Nov. 27 and Saturday is sustainable considering they shot 15.3% during that time. Last season, for context, the Penguins shot just 9.4%. At some point, the offense will normalize, and the Penguins will have to reliably prevent other teams from scoring. I've yet to see enough from Tristan Jarry and the Penguins' team defense to believe that's going to happen. Jarry wasn't the primary problem against the Islanders, but he also didn't offer much in the way of a solution. Since returning to the NHL club on Nov. 15, and prior to Saturday, Jarry had produced a modest .894 save percentage. The intriguing part might be if an opposing team has seen enough to give Dubas something for Jarry — which would be another move the Penguins absolutely must consider. With Joel Blomqvist in the minors, the Penguins have natural back-fill at the position. The dream would be if Blomqvist was able to get meaningful experience and show he's capable of handling an NHL workload. It's also highly questionable whether an offer would ever arrive for Jarry, which is another discussion. Sure, the Penguins are 16-16-5, their 37 points one back of the Ottawa Senators when it comes to the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Erasing a two-year playoff drought would be nice, especially when you consider how poorly this season started. However, pretty much anyone who has watched the Penguins this season should see that considerable flaws still exist. They lack consistent scoring outside of the top line. Defending the net-front was a sizable issue against the Islanders and has been for too much of this season. Offensive depth and owning the battle areas are keys to any sort of playoff run. The same for what happens far too frequently when their defensemen pinch. The same as he said back in April, Dubas shouldn't get caught up in any one snapshot and instead evaluate the team based on its entire body of work ... while simultaneously building a younger, deeper roster that can legitimately compete for a longer stretch of time. ©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who won two FCS national titles at South Dakota State, is entering the transfer portal but also keeping his eyes on his NFL draft potential, he told ESPN. In four seasons with the Jackrabbits, he played in 55 games, posting a 49-6 record as a starter. He has one year of eligibility available and is expected to be contacted by several power-conference programs. "I'm trying to weigh all my options to do what's best for me and my career," Gronowski told ESPN on Sunday. "I'm confident in what I can do in the NFL. If there's opportunities that help my family, I'll change my mind. It's doing what's best for me and my long-term interest overall." A native of Illinois, Gronowski led South Dakota State to FCS titles in back-to-back titles in 2022-23. The Jackrabbits lost 28-21 to North Dakota State in the FCS semifinals on Dec. 21. In 2023, he won the Walter Payton Award, which honors the top FCS offensive player. In his career, Gronowski has completed 64 percent of his passes for 10,309 yards and 93 touchdowns against 20 interceptions. On the ground, he ran for 1,767 yards and 37 touchdowns. --Field Level Media
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Jury are deliberating in the long-running YSL gang and racketeering trialManchester's Christmas Parade returns this weekend - with the promise of the biggest festive event yet. The free parade has become an annual fixture in the city centre in December, now in its third year. Storm Darragh is not expected to impact the event. This year will see over 400 participants taking part in a fun-filled promenade through the city, sprinkling pure festive magic along the way. It starts at 1pm on Sunday, December 8, although there's a number of free festive events taking place in the build up on Sunday morning as well this year. The parade will set off from Manchester Cathedral at 1 pm, following a route that takes in Deansgate, John Dalton Street, Cross Street, Market Street and St Mary's Gate before turning back onto Deansgate and ending at the cathedral. Visitors are free to watch the parade along any part of the route. READ MORE: We tried Christmas dinners at four supermarket cafes and there were highs and lows With live music bringing the sounds of the season and colourful dancers at every turn, the centre-piece of this year's parade is sure to be Manchester's very own Elf Express - a spectacular train with carriages full of elves that will be making a special stop in Santa's favourite city on its way to Santa's workshop in the North Pole. Expect festive sights and sounds on the parade (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News) Look out too for the Mistletoe dancing mice, Christmas horse-riding Elves on stilts, an oversized Polar Bear with playful giant paws and Christmas Robins, or the Aurora Borealis Stilt Walkers, Robot Drummers and toe-tapping Hip Hop Elf. Ski Sunday will see one-of-a-kind segway skiers swoop and slide along the parade route, donned in vibrant retro ski gear, complete with cheeky personalities and blasting out 80s tunes and festive Christmas classics, creating an illusion of downhill fun in a flurry of entertainment. Expect spellbinding and beautiful airborne puppetry of Cloud Travellers Nimbus and Cumulus who from their illuminated clouds cast magical raindrops from the tips of their fingers, and enjoy a singalong with Elton Wrong piano man as he rides along on his portable stadium stage whilst playing the piano and crooning his way through his top ten of pop hits and show tunes. And of course it wouldn't be the Manchester Christmas Parade without the return of everyone's favourite, the enchanting Snow Queen mesmerising all as she sits in her giant snow globe gliding through the city streets. Watch out also on the day for plenty of pop-up festive fun around the parade route - including a Christmas crafting marquee for children outside Marks and Spencer on Market Street that will see children invited to get crafting and be in with a special chance of joining Father Christmas' band of mischievous elves and walk with them in the parade. Another extra-special treat is also in store this year to help celebrate the return of the magical Manchester Christmas Parade with over a thousand free festive hot drinks on offer to help spread a little more Christmas cheer. For on Manchester's very own 'Santa Sunday', the first 1500 people to pay a visit ahead of the parade to the Christmas Grotto in the Royal Exchange Arcade, dressed head-to-toe as Santa or at least sporting a Santa hat, will be given a voucher for a hot chocolate winter-warmer from the Christmas Markets. The free parade will head around the city centre streets (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News) To be in with a chance of a free hot choc - while stocks last - Santa wannabes must present themselves between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm on Sunday with a ho-ho-ho to the Santa's team of mischievous cheeky elves at the Grotto, who will be playing around getting everyone in the festive spirit. Adding to the seasonal cheer will be The Royal Exchange Manchester Christmas Choir who will be performing at various times throughout the morning in the Arcade, which runs between Cross Street and St Ann's Square. Arrive early for the Manchester Christmas Parade and from 12:30 pm the same cheeky elves will also be making mischief along the parade route to get everyone smiling as they help spread a little extra Christmas fun, with goodies and giveaways galore ahead of the parade at 1 pm. The city council has worked with a range of partners including outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank, Global Grooves, Handmade Parade, and Fools Paradise to help make sure this year's Manchester Christmas Parade is the best yet. The Snow Queen will make her return (Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd) Councillor Pat Karney said: "We just can't wait to welcome everyone back again for our fabulous family festive favourite Manchester Christmas Parade. It's Manchester at its magical best and sure to get everyone smiling and in the Christmas spirit. "Putting the parade together really is a big team effort and we couldn't do any of this without all our amazing magic-making event partners and others across the city who work with us to help us put on a spectacular show. A big thank you to them for this and also to transport bosses and GMP who work hard with us to help keep everyone moving and everyone safe. "This year's parade is going to be amazing. Grab your Christmas hats and some tinsel and come and join us!" What time is the Parade? This year's Manchester Christmas Parade will start at 1 pm on Sunday, December 8. It will follow a route that starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral. It is expected to last approximately an hour from start to finish. What is the full route of the parade? The parade will set off from Manchester Cathedral at 1 pm, following a route that takes in Deansgate up to John Dalton Street where it will turn left up to Cross Street. The parade will then make its way along Cross Street to St Mary's Gate (by M&S) before turning back right onto Deansgate and ending back at the cathedral. Where are accessible viewing points? Accessible viewing points will be available in two locations this year. Accessible viewing area 1 is at the extended lay-by outside Roxy Ball Room and Be At One venues on Deansgate. Accessible viewing area 2 is at the benches outside Boots on Cross Street. Expect a festive extravaganza (Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd) Which roads will be closed on Sunday? Details of the road closures, changes to Metrolink timetable and on-street parking which are necessary in order for the parade to safely go ahead are listed below: Road closures Sunday 8 December from 8am to 5pm Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach) Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street) St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate) Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square) Sunday 8 December 11.00am to 3pm Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate) Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street) John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence Street) Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street) Metrolink Suspension From 12pm to 2.30pm Sunday 8 December 2CC (St Peter's Square to Exchange Square) suspended Parking Suspensions and Exemptions From 6pm on Friday 6 December to 5pm on Sunday 8 December Market Street (outside Marks and Spencers) - One Bay Only From 6pm on Saturday 7 December to 5pm on Sunday 8 December Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach) Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square) St Ann Street (Southgate to Cross Street) Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street) John Dalton Street (King Street West to Clarence Street) Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street) Market Street (Cross Street to St Mary’s Gate) St Mary’s Gate (Market Street to Deansgate) St James's Square (John Dalton Street to South King Street) King Street West (Deansgate to Bridge Street)MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Related Articles Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.”