posted Jun 10, 2013
VA
Injury Level: C6
Injury Date: 3/8/2009
I was injured on March 8, 2009 while riding my bicycle. I was traveling down a sidewalk when it suddenly ended; turning into a dirt path. I hit something that caused me to flip over the handle bars, resulting in a severe bruise of my spinal cord at the C6 Vertebrae, leaving me paralyzed from the chest down.
I spent nine days at Fairfax Hospital (I am from Northern Virginia), and then was flown to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. There I spent nine weeks in rehabilitation. The Shepherd Center is one of the best rehabilitation facilities in the United States and I learned a tremendous amount about spinal cord injuries. They offer a very intense daily routine of PT, OT, classes on living with SCI, recreation classes and public outings. After my rehab at Shepherd I spent six weeks in Augusta, GA. at the Veterans Hospital.
I learned of Race To Walk through an internet search. Their facility offers cutting edge technology and great equipment, in a very clean and inviting setting. Their staff is very professional and has a vast knowledge of spinal cord injuries and different exercise programs.
After my accident I had no feeling below my injury level, however over the past few months I have regained feeling in my right leg and a little in my left leg. A spinal cord injury is a sudden change in life. I had to spend four months in hospitals, (fortunately I had six months of sick leave). My family members had to put all my belongings into storage, as I have since moved to the Lake Norman area and am living with my brother and sister-in-law. I am participating in physical therapy and the program at Race To Walk in an effort to gain enough independence to live on my own again.
