Husband's recovery.

[Stacey]

I am posting this to ask if there are any people who have had incomplete c5/c6 injuries classified as ASIA C who can walk without the use of devices. MY husband was injured in Sept of 2002. He is determined to walk again. I was just wondering if this would be possible for him. After five months he is able to stand with minimal support and can walk with assist. His right leg can move without help but his left needs encouragement.
I just thought that if there was one other person out there bthat can do this, it would give him encouragement to keep working so hard....

[Chris Chappell]

Stacey, check out www.projectwalk.org (http://www.projectwalk.org) Your husband sounds like an excellent candidate.

Incidentally, because its very early yet in his recovery his natural healing may also bring more return of function. Time, patience, hard work.

[gvinton]

I also had an incomplete C5/6 injury, mine was in Sept. 2001. I was in a similar position early on in that I wanted to know about anyone who might have recovered substantial function, walking, etc. I just wanted to know it was possible and use it as a source for inspiration.

Well, I can now tell you it is possible. I walk normally and have no visable signs of the SCI. I did work very hard and still do, but mostly I was lucky.

I walked out of a rehab hospital with a cane after 5 weeks and have continued to recover. My return came pretty quickly but I heard of circumstances similar to your husbands that have had very good outcomes as well. Your husband's recovery after 5 months seems very promising and I would encourage him to keep working.

It is possible.

[Jeff]

gvinton - Can you jog and run now also?

Congrats on your marvelous recovery!

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

[gvinton]

Jeff,

Thanks for the congrats. Like I said, I've been very lucky.

I can jog but not run full speed. My left leg is still a bit weaker and lands kind of hard. Ironically, I can skate very well. I coach my son's hockey team and skate drills with them with no problems. Skating is low impact. Also, certain aerobic machines at the gym are no problem for the same reason. I am at the same speed as pre-injury.

I'm still rehabbing my strength and conditioning on my own and still seeing improvements. I'm now 17 months post.

[Jeff]

gvinton - That is fascinating. I hope one day we all get cure therapies that afford us a path like your's!


Stacey - I agree with the others. There will most likely be continued return of function for your husband. I think this time is critical, though. The depth of his work now could possibly influence the extent of recovery. If it's possible for him to focus on his recovery for as long as possible it might be a big boon to him.

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

[betheny]

I have the same level injury and walk w/ crutches and 1 AFO. They tell you in rehab that all injuries are different, they told me 1000 times. They're right. He's at peak return time, he needs to stay intent on the PT. If he could get into suspended treadmill ambulation, that's what got me on my feet. I'm still getting stronger after 2 1/2 years. He can't work too hard at this point-every muscle group. I used to lie in bed and try to move things for hours. For those of us lucky to have the sort of return he's gotten, guts will get him far. How far? Time will tell. That was the most frustrating thing for me.