Health Care Heroes: Therapist's invention helps patients keep their balance

As a physical therapist, Cindy Gibson-Horn treats patients with mobility issues. Her biggest breakthrough came while helping Mary Spencer, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. Spencer kept falling backwards while walking or standing. Gibson-Horn reasoned that if she could provide a counterweight, Spencer’s balance might improve. Gibson-Horn invented a product called Balance Wear — a vest with weighted pockets that can be a life-changer for people with severe balance problems. The placement and size of the weights vary with each patient. The vests are sold by Motion Therapeutics, based in San Francisco.