Max
12-09-2002, 03:55 PM
NEW MEXICO'S CAREY WALKS, SHOOTS BASKET AT PRACTICE
BY JULIE ANN STEPHENS
Associated Press
Dec 9, 2002 12:40 a.m.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico guard Senque Carey walked onto the Lobo's basketball court Sunday and later shot baskets, less than two weeks after sustaining a spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed.
Carey, who injured his spine Nov. 25 in a game against Northwestern State, had no movement in his legs for more than a week.
During the team's practice at The Pit on Sunday night, Carey got out of his wheelchair and took 10 slow steps, and later shot 3-pointers for about 20 minutes, New Mexico sports information director Greg Remington said.
"Really without aid or anything, he got up and walked," Remington said, relaying information given to him by media relations assistant Jay Blackman.
"Obviously, the feeling is getting back into his legs. He's still going through rehabilitation. Obviously, something is happening that is good."
Carey walked stiff-legged, without bending his knees, while his girlfriend and a student manager walked close by to assist him.
"He had his arm around his girlfriend ... for balance," he said.
Later, the 23-year-old Carey took shots from the 3-point line to the right of the basket for about 20 minutes, according to Remington.
"He definitely made some baskets. His upper body is just fine," Remington said.
Lobos coach Ritchie McKay was excited about the progress made by Carey, nicknamed "Q" by his teammates and coaches.
"Our program is rejoicing at the fact that Q is taking steps. It's an answer to the prayers of many. The outcry of support for Q and our program has been overwhelming and much appreciated," McKay said a statement released Sunday night.
Carey, who has been at several practices since his injury, attended a news conference with McKay before New Mexico's game against Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne on Friday.
Casey said he was spending three hours a day in therapy, and while he still couldn't feel anything in his legs, he could see some twitching and could move his legs about an inch while holding onto a bar.
"Being able to push my legs where I move them an inch, that's more than I was doing last week," Carey said Friday. "If I can be able to move it 2 inches tomorrow, and 3 inches and so forth, it's all positive."
Dr. Bob Schenck, an orthopedic surgeon and the team's doctor, has said Carey had a pre-existing narrowing of the spine and it was uncertain if Carey will regain the use of his legs.
"I still have the desire to play basketball and help the team out in any way that I can," Carey said Friday. "I'm still positive that I will be back to 100 percent. I don't have any doubts about that. It's only a matter of time."
© 2002 FOX Interactive Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=797004&display=/Display/Html/Story/newprintable
BY JULIE ANN STEPHENS
Associated Press
Dec 9, 2002 12:40 a.m.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico guard Senque Carey walked onto the Lobo's basketball court Sunday and later shot baskets, less than two weeks after sustaining a spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed.
Carey, who injured his spine Nov. 25 in a game against Northwestern State, had no movement in his legs for more than a week.
During the team's practice at The Pit on Sunday night, Carey got out of his wheelchair and took 10 slow steps, and later shot 3-pointers for about 20 minutes, New Mexico sports information director Greg Remington said.
"Really without aid or anything, he got up and walked," Remington said, relaying information given to him by media relations assistant Jay Blackman.
"Obviously, the feeling is getting back into his legs. He's still going through rehabilitation. Obviously, something is happening that is good."
Carey walked stiff-legged, without bending his knees, while his girlfriend and a student manager walked close by to assist him.
"He had his arm around his girlfriend ... for balance," he said.
Later, the 23-year-old Carey took shots from the 3-point line to the right of the basket for about 20 minutes, according to Remington.
"He definitely made some baskets. His upper body is just fine," Remington said.
Lobos coach Ritchie McKay was excited about the progress made by Carey, nicknamed "Q" by his teammates and coaches.
"Our program is rejoicing at the fact that Q is taking steps. It's an answer to the prayers of many. The outcry of support for Q and our program has been overwhelming and much appreciated," McKay said a statement released Sunday night.
Carey, who has been at several practices since his injury, attended a news conference with McKay before New Mexico's game against Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne on Friday.
Casey said he was spending three hours a day in therapy, and while he still couldn't feel anything in his legs, he could see some twitching and could move his legs about an inch while holding onto a bar.
"Being able to push my legs where I move them an inch, that's more than I was doing last week," Carey said Friday. "If I can be able to move it 2 inches tomorrow, and 3 inches and so forth, it's all positive."
Dr. Bob Schenck, an orthopedic surgeon and the team's doctor, has said Carey had a pre-existing narrowing of the spine and it was uncertain if Carey will regain the use of his legs.
"I still have the desire to play basketball and help the team out in any way that I can," Carey said Friday. "I'm still positive that I will be back to 100 percent. I don't have any doubts about that. It's only a matter of time."
© 2002 FOX Interactive Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=797004&display=/Display/Html/Story/newprintable