Preparing for cure...

[Emi2]

Are there activities or exercises that we should be doing in order to be in the best position to take advantage of the cure when it comes? Like FES, gait training, or something? I don't want to miss my chance to benefit as soon as I can.... http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

"Each moment in time we have it all, even when we think we don't."
--Melody Beattie, writer and counselor

[Jeff]

back on SpineWire. It detailed everything he'd be doing right now anticipating a cure therapy. It included both FES and weight-bearing exercise. Interestingly, it included education, career and saving money in order to afford the best treatment and rehab when available. I thought I saved that post but I just looked and couldn't find it.

~See you at the SCIWire-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[mk99]

Besides all the physical preparation I am also focusing on trying to make lots of money. I was a very active stock trader before injury but a full time job really gets in the way of making $. Now I can devote a lot more time & effort to making money for myself, not my boss.

Can't think of too many better ways to make up for lost time than lots of holidays and nice toys...

I kind of figure I had 3 weeks holiday/year at my job before injury. If I am in a chair for 5 years, I will need approx 15 weeks of nonstop holidays to "make up" some of the lost time.

[alan]

While your spinal cord is regenerating and you're getting return, won't you be in some kind of rehab? If so, wouldn't FES and weightbearing, etc., be part of it?

[Wise Young]

I probably have the post somewhere (because I am a pack-rat and keep text drafts of longer postings) but it is buried under the 10,000 or so posts that I have made in the past three years.

In terms of exercise, what I would do:

1. Titrate down my spasticity drug dose to the point where the spasticity is present but not so much as to interfere with transfers and other functions, or sleep, etc.

2. Weight-bear at least 15-30 minutes per day in a standing frame, to put some stress on your bones.

3. Functional electrical stimulation to exercise the leg muscles. You can use an cycle.

4. Arm crank. If you can, you can use this to get your heart rate up to over 100 for 10 minutes a day.

5. Swimming. For those who can, I think that this is good exercise.

6. Supported ambulation. I would probably take several weeks off every summer and do this.

7. Go back to school and learn how to program and do more things with computers.

8. Get a job and earn as much money as possible.

9. Learn as much about spinal cord injury as possible.

10. Enjoy myself.

Wise.

[Jeff]

Must be more than just a whim, lol. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

I also specifically remember titrating down spasticity meds and learning AMAP about SCI from the earlier post.

Thanks, Dr. Young. You are amazing. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

~See you at the SCIWire-used-to-be-paralyzed Reunion http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wavey.gif ~

[antiquity]

bump

[amanda]

[QUOTE:6.Supported ambulation. I would probably take several weeks off every summer and do this.]
What is this? gait training?

" The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
- Alan Kay

[Snowman]

Supported ambulation is a form of gait training.

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

Eric Harness,CSCS
Project Walk® (http://www.projectwalk.org)

[amanda]

Thanks Snowman. Is this an exercise option for a low quad/high para? I remember seeing a para doing what I think was gait training while I was in rehab. But, I don't know exactly what goes into it.

" The best way to predict the future is to invent it."
- Alan Kay