A fall from a 10-foot ladder six years ago triggered debilitating strokes that left Mark Foster unable to walk or talk.

After years of traditional physiotherapy and speech therapy, Foster – who can now walk and talk again – said he began making faster progress in his recovery after starting portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS) therapy.

“I had more progress in six months than in four years,” said Foster, now 49.

PoNS therapy involves inserting a portable device that delivers gentle stimulation to the surface of the tongue through a mouthpiece connected to a controller. The stimulation helps form new pathways in the brain and, when combined with physical rehabilitation exercises, improves walking and movement.

Foster, whose stroke left him paralyzed on his right side, has been

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