May is Stroke Awareness Month, and a Philadelphia-based dance teacher exemplifies the extraordinary recovery that ispossible with hard work, timely medical care, the support of a caring partner and community, and music and dance.
On February 20, 2024, new dance partners Ignacio Ondartz, from Mar del Plata, Argentina, and Meredith Klein, from Philadelphia, made their debut performance at Milonga Parakultural in Buenos Aires, considered one of the most important international venues for this dance. Returning elated to Philadelphia, they prepared to resume teaching and performing. But on March 9, Ignacio suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was rushed to Temple University Hospital.
“It was touch and go,” says Meredith, “and I spent the first nights in the hospital. Ignacio was kept alive by dozens of tubes and machines.” Miraculously, he survived, though he spent 6 weeks in Intensive Care. “To keep him going, I played his favorite tango music by the legendary maestro Aníbal Troilo. Even when he was unconscious, Ignacio would tap the rhythms of the songs on my arm, including the surprising syncopations. That was how I knew he was still with us and had a chance of recovery.”
Using tango in rehabilitation
After seven weeks in the hospital, Ignacio progressed to Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation in Elkins Park, where he made impressive physical and neurological advances. Within days, he was walking again with the assistance of several helpers, and soon he was walking more fluidly with Meredith to the rhythms of tango music. The use of a robotic suit enhanced Ignacio’s efforts by coordinating his walk and balance. To keep his spirits up during the challenging stays at the hospital and rehab center, professional tango musician friends made visits to play for him.
In June 2024, Ignacio was able to return home to Fishtown and the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School. Here, rehabilitation and tango merged as Ignacio began to lead the dance for Meredith, setting the direction and musicality, and incorporating progressively more complex steps and syncopations. This short video shows Ignacio’s progress.
“The recovery process has been intense,” says Meredith. “Ignacio has had to learn how to do everything again, from breathing and swallowing to using the right side of his body, walking, and speaking. But because of the way tango dancing had trained his brain and body, especially with the focus on improvisation that is so important in this dance, he has a surplus of neurological connections, and he has used these to help rebuild his movement and speaking abilities and cognitive capacity.”
Dr. Jacklyn Barcikowski, clinical director of the Stroke Program at MossRehab, has overseen Ignacio’s care for the past year. She is thrilled with Ignacio’s progress and tango’s potential to support stroke recovery for others:
“Ignacio’s story highlights the impact of dance after stroke recovery and before. It was an absolute honor to be part of Ignacio’s recovery journey. Dancing has been recognized as a powerful form of aerobic exercise that supports stroke rehabilitation, improving balance, coordination, strength, cognitive function, and overall ability. Just as important, it enhances quality of life and overall well-being. Ignacio is an embodiment of this, and I have no doubt he will continue to thrive.”
An extraordinary return
This extraordinary recovery story continues in May. Less than a year after Ignacio’s release from the hospital, he and Meredith have returned to teaching together at the studio and willbe teaching and performing at the Philadelphia Tango Festival over Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-26. This 13th edition of the festival will celebrate the music of Aníbal Troilo, which has been so important in Ignacio’s recovery.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. According to the American Stroke Association, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, and there are more than 6.5 million stroke survivors currently living in the U.S. Ignacio and Meredith are committed to pursuing the path of music and dance, in particular tango, as a tool for healing and eventually sharing their insights and successes to help other survivors and their communities.
