Brenda

I am just a stubborn old man who will not accept disability.No wife,however I am engaged to a fine lady who enables me.Rehab is a lifestlyle.I was in a truck crash .I came to in hospital after 6 months in a coma-PARALYSED!My problem now is a terrible sense of balance-neuro feedback helps that

Thank you for your blessings. You are very kind. Last summer I suffered a C5 complete injury from a shallow water diving accident. I spent major hospital time at the VA spinal cord cord center in Milwaukee WI. I felt so fortunate to have received so many VA benefits, both financially and medically. Without the VA, I'm not sure what I would have done. The accident Al had sounds like a real life changer as are all SCI injuries are I guess. The stem cell stuff is always interesting so I'll be be sure to check out the Emory story. Kate and I will pray for the both of you too.

Hi Brenda,
No - John does not sell life insurance.. never has been in that line of work. He works in the mortgage industry.. Keep strong - the NEO SCI meeting is next monday 2/16 if you are interested in attending. Take care, Annalisa

Hi Brenda - How are you doing?? How is Al? Just wanted to drop you a line and say hello! Hope you are staying strong... Annalisa

Darrel...thanks for answering. My husband has no return yet after almost 6 months. You are lucky (may not be the greatest term), but you are walking. Good for you. We are still praying for some return. Al is 61...takes longer to heal. Brenda

Brenda,
I am a c5/c6 incomplete walking quad. I was taught to walk again a week after my fall.
They had me doing all sorts of ROM and stretching before they tried me out on the parallel bars. They did try some type of hoist that lifted me up and held me over a treadmill. I was able to walk about twenty feet the second week with the assistance of a walker.I was allowed one month of therapy in the hospital, before they said I had to leave. They had me come back in a week later and did a laminectomy of c3 through c6 they ended up getting rid of some spurs. They had to wait that long for the swelling would go down
I have gone through two years of out patient rehab to help build up my endurance and strength. I only have 30% return on right side and 70% return on left side, I have a quad paw and drop foot on my right side with no improvement after three years of this new life I am able to get out and walk about 200 yards with the assistance of a quad cane.

Bob...Yes Al is a viet nam vet. He will be home within the next 2 weeks. We are working with the VA in Cleveland to get him the home equipment he will need. Our web site started when he was injured. It is www.caringbridge.org/visit/albarge. It will catch you up on his progress and his care. He has been through rehab at Metro hospital and is presently at the VA for evaluation and more rehab.

Hi Brenda,
Long time since I've seen any posts from you here. How are you & your husband doing? Have you gotten your housing situation straightened out? Your husband is a fellow Veteran if I remember correctly? Right?
Has he gottent to rehab yet & if so how's he doing? Sorry I don't remember our past posts. When you get a chance please get back to me & fill me in on your story to straighten out this messed up brain of mine. It's a bummer living with a cognitive memory problem. Hope you are doing well in spite of your husbands injury.
Please tell him I send my regards & I wish him well.

Take Care Brenda !

Regards,
Bob
Fellow CC Member