Project Walk

[KENTR]

Dear Dr. Young,
Your are pretty much reliable and informative doctor to me. I have a 12 yr old son, who suffer a spinal stroke in July 2010 at T10- T12 level. Recently have seen some movement back on his legs ( can slightly walk with walker for at least 20f-30 feet or more). However, bladder and bowel plus sensation doesn't seem to return except for he can feel vibration, tingly on along his legs when scrubbing. My son goes to rehab twice a week, and does at home along the week during his after school ( we have stander, not FES but a pwr assist pedal, column cable and walker used with leg braces). I recently discovered a " Project Walk" rehab program in San Diego that seems to have very positive methods for SCI, but might not be approved by insurance. However, I'm thinkin of having him to try that program for a 3 week period this summer. If you know anything about that program, please give us some advices. I have read some of your articles regarding SCI, and have become to admire you alot.
You can email me at VUKHANH1@VERIZON.NET or KVTRAN@MICROSEMI.COM. I truly appreciate your kindness.

[drew82586]

I have been looking into Push to walk, which sort of branched off Project Walk. Which also isn't covered by insurance. I am a T-6, my accident was in Sept 08. I have regained alot of hip muscles. I have been walking with braces with a walker for about a year. but just recently took off the back brace and hip joint. I will be trying to getting a fes bike. I have been in and out of therapy since my accident. but I just don't feel like its intense enough for me and they only do the minimal. Don't get me wrong I absolutly love it there. I've just been debating on Push to walk since its a bit closer to me then Project Walk? I Just haven't gotten much input on it from actual people!

[Mac85]

this is my video from pw, just to give you an idea of their workouts

skJToEFojDM

[drew82586]

haha, I just sent you a message on youtube... weird. i'm tubbabutt on youtube.

[Donnie]

Mac, did you regain anything besides strength?

[Snowman]

Hi KENTR

I just wanted to let you know if you do a search for "project walk" you will find quite a bit here on our program. I am not sure how much you have looked at our website but I would like to point you in the direction of our research page: http://www.projectwalk.org/institute/research_pw.htm

Our website is in the process of being completely redone, so we have not updated it in quite a while. For more recent news please see our blog page:
http://pwinstitute.blogspot.com/

Or Twitter:
http://twitter.com/ProjectWalkSCI

[Mac85]

Mac, did you regain anything besides strength?
Core strenght, but i'm complete so not much really.

[Donnie]

So would you say it's worth the $$$$ for the core strength and video you receive at the end of project walk?

[nrf]

donnie,

there is a project walk affiliate in sanford fla. i wont speak for mac but project walk was by far the best therapy/workout my son ever received.

[Mac85]

PW is the greatest spinal cord recovery center... for incompletes imo

[SharonD]

There are numerous centers in the country based on the Project Walk recovery methods. Most are run by trainers that have left PW and started their own center. If you are looking on the East Coast there is Samaritans Walk in Virginia.

[Donnie]

Thanks Sharon, but I'd have to say I agree w Mac on that PW is great for incomplete injuries which unfortunately I don't have. I've heard the same results about PW with complete injuries that are 2yrs post+ and that it is a great place with positive people but besides an expensive workout you don't get anything as far as functional results.

[SharonD]

yeah, I guess that is the big question.....my son is complete and we take him to Samaritans Walk, mostly because other local rehab centers dont know what else to do with him. he was injured in 12/09 and what he has gained is strength and balance, no return of function. we have a stander and FES at home so we go to SW for one on one training and conditioning. I will continue to take him as long as I can afford it.

[nrf]

donnie,

i dont know what level you are but i can say that rigorous physical exercise has greatly improved my sons stability as well as numerous other nagging sci related health problems. with project walks help my c 5/6 complete son is getting his drivers license with no need for trunk straps or supports and can sit upright for extended periods of time without blacking out. with medical based rehab my son could not sit above 45 degrees without losing consciousness. their only remedy was a drug called midodrine that raised his blood pressure but made it almost impossible for him to digest food. if i were you i would try an aggressive assisted exercise program somewhere before kissing the idea off.

[Snowman]

Donnie

There are several programs or therapists/trainers on or near the East Coast that are affiliated with us:

http://www.stepituprecovery.org/
http://www.pushtowalknj.org/

Trainers/Therapists:
http://www.projectwalk.org/institute/find_trainer.htm

[cynthiat]

I would suggest that anyone with an SCI at least try one of the programs in the area that is closest to you. I founded Push to Walk four years ago and we are located in northern NJ. I strongly believe that part of the success of any exercise program is the consistency and frequency in attending. As one of the other posts stated - don't write it off until you try it. But I would suggest you try a program that is close to home (or as close as possible), whether that is FL, CA, NC, NJ, etc. As a founder of one of these kinds of programs after my son was injured, I wish there was a center that provided specialized programs for SCI in every region and state. But until that happens, try to stay close to home, check out the program and then evaluate how it fit your needs.
I'd be happy to speak/e-mail with anyone looking for more info on our program or others that I am familiar with.
Cynthia Templeton
Push to Walk

[Donnie]

I guess you promoters/affiliates didn't read my post correctly. I'm a complete injury over 2 yrs. Post and I workout on the regular and stay active. I'll save my $$$$ for something of more significance than an expensive w/o w hot trainers that are positive. IMO I can achieve the same results for a .25 of the $$$$. All the best..

[nrf]

donnie,

you seem to have asked a hypothetical question that you already knew the answer to.if your workouts are satisfying and you have reached your full potential then whats your point?

[Snowman]

Donnie

I was just providing information, that is all. It might benefit the original poster, since he/she does not list where they are from. Rereading the posts I see that it really was more of a response to Sharon D than to you, I apologize for addressing it to you.

[redros3]

I know that this post is old but I thought I'd add my 2 cents. Project Walk is an amazing place. I have never been to an affiliate but the Carlsbad centre is wonderful. I live in Canada, but I visited the centre for a week and did the home based program. I then re-located to Carlsbad to do the in house program. The environment is extremely uplifting and seeing all of the progress all around you provides support and encouragement for new comers. Unfortunately my re-location didn't work out, as I suffered an injury while I was in Calif. -- not at Project Walk -- and had to return to Canada. The results are undeniable, people get better!! My trainers became my close friends and my fellow PW clients became lifelong friends as well. I would permanently re-locate to Carlsbad for PW if I could. It's not a quick fix and it takes dedication but it is worth it.

[fightingtowalkc7]

I have been across the country in various programs / studies and have found Project Walk to be the most knowledgeable, concentrated, and aggressive Activity Based therapy there is.

Each injury is different as we all know... In my case, I rolled into Project Walk in bad shape both physically and emotionally three years ago with a C-7, T-1 and T-2 incomplete injury. I could feel yet couldn't move %&#!. Approximately a year later I created the ugliest walk ever seen. Today I walk full time for short distances with walking devices. Still ugly. A girl just the other day told me that, "My injury obviously wasn't that bad" as she saw me crutch past her. I nearly puked. My recovery has been grueling, and my training has been consistent. If you have it in you to work, PW will push you if you commit to it.

I moved from Chicago to be near PW with no regrets.