Rehab Institute of Michigan

[scamper85]

I just spent a month in the Rehab Institute in Michigan and it was really awesome. They are all about recovery not adaption. They work you 3 hours a day and it doesn't matter what injury level you are. I focused on walking even though I am a T6 complete para. They fitted me for braces and in one month I am able to walk at the parallel bars and with a second step machine thats like an adult baby walker. I mean my movement is through the hips but its feels great to get up and move around. Also my insurance covered 80%.
Has anyone else been there?

[DIGGER]

Scamper
Looking at your only other post, I have a ? Did you use medicare ins or your hubby's ins at RIM?

[BeeBee]

My son is an outpatient at RIM. T12, he walks w/ braces with a granny walker (now, started with the other one), and weight assisted treadmill. Crawls, and boxes. Awesome place!!

[onagul]

Do you have any movies or photos of your rehabilitation sessions?
Thanks

[BeeBee]

In the Exercise forum, under a thread I started, entitle: "first day at RIM". I'd post the link, but I'm retarded there. I have some videos of the boxing, but can't get them off my phone and into my computer.

[mnorth01]

Scamper85,
I am also a T6 para complete. I am planning on going to RIM once I save up some money. You said your insurance covered 80%. Was that medical insurance? Also, how much trunk return do you have? How can you be walking with no trunk?

Sorry for all the questions but you are the first person I've seen with the same injury that is using braces.

Mark

[scamper85]

Surprisingly my husband's medical insurance covered 80%.
Medicare covered 80% of the braces.
I always had really good balance being a T6 but the hardest part is keeping my legs and hips stretched because I have alot of tone and it seems to be getting stronger.
This place is really awesome and I wish I could have stayed longer or lived closer. But I can basically go back whenever as long as we can afford it. The insurance will only pay for 30 visits a year.
I will check out the other thread!

[mnorth01]

Scamper85,
How were you injured? How did you find out about RIM? How did RIM compare to other facilities you have attended? Who was your therapist at RIM? What was a typical day like in therapy?

[scamper85]

I was injured in a car accident April 2003. I am a T6 Complete. I found out about Rim through Dr Lima because I had his surgery in Jan 2005. I did rehab in Philadelphia but they would not let me use certain equipment and wasted my insurance visits. Rim got me walking in one month at parallel bars and using a second step walker. Other rehabs are good for getting you adapted to your injury and back in the community but once you have accomplished that then where do you go? I have noticed nothing from the surgery. My walking was just hard work and a new way of thinking about recovery instead of adaption. Rim was 3 times a week 3 hours a day. I worked with Ryan and John. I would use the Giger for an hour everyday 3 times a week. We also used the total gym for strenthening and they tried to teach me how to crawl on my knees. We also did alot of mat work to strengthen the trunk. I would love to go back but insurance will only pay for 30 visits a year.

Christina

[kkmay]

So what rehab facility to do attend to in Philadelphia? I went to Magee and it was a joke. I is well thought it was a waste of insurance money. I may have to check out RIM for I am really interested in going back to rehab. Something to look forward to. Would you say there are many cute therapists?

[mnorth01]

Scamper85,
Can you e-mail me regarding information about your surgery? I have considered the surgery but have not heard of anyone with our injury level who has had it.

My e-mail is circuiteds@hotmail.com.

I am also interested in RIM since I live in Detroit. But, I have to pay for the therapy out of my own pocket. I want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck.

Mark

[Max]

Spinal surgery, the first step

BY PATRICIA ANSTETT
FREE PRESS MEDICAL WRITER
December 4, 2005
http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&Date=20051204&Category=FEATURES08&ArtNo=512040326&Ref=AR&Profile=1033&MaxW=148&Border=1
Erica Nader of West Bloomfield, who had spinal surgery nearly three years ago, says, "I think for the most part, those of us that do go through with these surgeries understand it's not a silver bullet." She's working with Melissa Danckaert.
About this story The Free Press has been following Michigan spinal cord patients who go abroad for surgery since October 2003. For previous stories, go to www.freep.com/specials.cq-anstett (http://www.freep.com/specials.cq-anstett)
Where to get more information The Free Press stories about spinal surgery abroad have generated hundreds of e-mails from around the world inquiring about the operations, more than any other medical inquiry to the newspaper in more than a decade. People interested in more information about surgery abroad for spinal cord repair should check these sites:


Portugal: The Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Detroit coordinates referrals and evaluations for surgery in Lisbon. The institute also offers intensive therapy and a scholarship program for rehabilitation for uninsured people with spinal cord injuries from gun violence. For details, go to www.centerforscirecovery.org (http://www.centerforscirecovery.org/), or call 866-724-2368.


China: www.nrrfr.com (http://www.nrrfr.com/). or write: Dr. Hongyun Huang, Department of Neurosurgery of Beijing, Xi Shan Hospital, Shi Jing Shan District, Beijing 100041, P.R. China.
A Portuguese physician who shares the dream of paralyzed patients that they'll walk someday came to the United States last week to find out how they are faring after experimental spinal cord surgery.
And while none yet walks unassisted, more than a dozen who met with Dr. Carlos Lima at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in Detroit report gains. From lives largely spent in wheelchairs before surgery, some of the patients walk with equipment, stand alone and perform more tasks by themselves.
Each one follows a rigorous workout schedule, often five days a week, to maximize gains from surgery that uses stem cells and other cellular therapies to repair damaged spinal cords. No U.S. hospital yet offers the procedures. But the Rehabilitation Institute has formed a network of international centers that hope to conduct the surgery if they gain approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration.
"I think for the most part, those of us that do go through with these surgeries understand it's not a silver bullet," said Erica Nader, 27, of West Bloomfield, who exercises five days a week, several hours at a time to built stamina and the strength she needs to walk. .
As the first American to travel to Lisbon for experimental surgery in March 2003, Nader provides the longest follow-up for any U.S. patient.
"It does take a definite amount of commitment to therapy before and afterwards," she said. "If even one thing is better, that's an improvement and I'm happy with that. I don't know how you can put a number or price on it."
The Michigan patients were among the first Americans to go to Portugal and China for the spinal cord repair surgeries, attracting worldwide attention. Michigan also is a focus of attention because of the role of the Rehabilitation Institute.
It is the only U.S. site that evaluates patients for surgery at Lisbon's Hospital de Egas Moniz. . And it is one of a handful of U.S. rehabilitation centers with strong intensive therapy programs for recovery from spinal cord injury. Patients come from all over the world to Detroit to be evaluated for the surgery program or to participate in the rehabilitation program. Many were here last week to hear Lima, spokesman for the Lisbon team.
At a time of job loss and retrenchment in the state, the institute's Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery is growing in size and stature. Since it opened in May 2004, its space has more than tripled, its staff has grown from two to 18 people and it has added an outpatient center in Novi.
In the past year, the institute has sent 31 Americans to Portugal for the surgery and screened dozens of others. Hundreds of others have gone on their own to Beijing, another major city where the surgery is performed.www.carecure.org (http://www.carecure.org/). The Rehabilitation Institute, which is part of the Detroit Medical Center and the Wayne State University School of


Medicine, is collaborating with the Lisbon team in hopes of doing the surgery in Detroit someday. It has begun preliminary talks with the FDA.


http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/FEATURES08/512040326/1033/FEATURES&template=printart

[Redford]

RIM has opened an office in the Grand Rapids area. This is great news for patients seeking therapy in West Michigan!

[gasshop]

Hi, Scamper...My son Tyrell was there for four months last year and we are headed there againthis week at least for two months and maybe most of the summer....Ty is 21 and a T4-6 incomplete. He also was fitted with leg braces and the second step and is doing well. We made the trip to China but didn't have the surgery due to the fact Ty got ill. Take care!

[caringfriend]

In doing research for my friend I found that RIM has a satalite location in Rockford, MI (by Grand Rapids). It is located in a gym and they have access to all the machines(weights and others) and their pool. There is also a person there that makes braces and has the second step. I think my friend is going to go there, but we are researching all our options before we choose. Please add any input.

[IMHopeful]

I've never heard of a second step. Could you describe what it is? My son uses the 'granny' walker and lofstrand crutches right now. We're always looking for other options. Thanks!

[caringfriend]

People describe a second step as a large baby walker, however it is a very useful tool in rehab. and therapy. The guy my friend is talking to for KAFO's also distributes the second step. You can look at his website for more information, that is what I did. www.messerorthopedics.com (http://www.messerorthopedics.com)
I hope that describes it well enough.