Quadriplegic Wilson Magnet football player refuses to quit.

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Quadriplegic Wilson Magnet football player refuses to quit.

By Enid Arbelo
Staff Writer
WILL YURMAN
Determined to walk again, Anthony Salmon, the Wilson Magnet High School football player injured during a game in September, shows a winning smile in Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. [Day in Photos]

(October 30, 2003) - The Wilson Magnet High School football player seriously injured during a game in September is unable to move or feel his arms and legs.

But Anthony Salmon said he will walk again.

"I'm going to get my life back," the 17-year-old said Wednesday from his hospital bed at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong.

Anthony, a defensive back, suffered a broken neck and a spinal cord injury during a routine tackle in a game against McQuaid Jesuit High School in Brighton on Sept. 26.

Anthony, now listed as a quadriplegic, plans to leave the hospital on Friday with his mother, Patricia Taylor. The two will go to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where they expect Anthony to stay an average of four to six months depending on his progress.

"There is no doubt in my mind that he will thrive in rehab," said Dr. Robert Molinari, Anthony's spinal surgeon. "He's given us 1,000 percent."

Molinari said that although the statistics are against Anthony, he doesn't rule out a full recovery. He said he plans to keep abreast of new literature and breakthroughs in spinal cord injury research that might help him.

"The goal is to get him independent," Molinari said.

Anthony has already made progress. He is able to move his head from side to side, speaks clearly and has had some sensory improvement.

Normally, patients with Anthony's injuries take about three months to achieve a sitting position of 90 degrees, Molinari said. Less than a month after Anthony's injury, Molinari found the teenager sitting in that position.

"I was amazed," he said. "I have never seen that before."

Anthony said he remembers the night of his injury but he doesn't want to talk about the actual events. Getting hurt on the field wasn't a concern. "I never thought it would happen to me."

Anthony was injured during the final play of the second quarter. He stayed on the field for about 15 minutes while McQuaid medical staff stabilized him.

Molinari said this type of injury is very uncommon in high school and college football players. In fact, the chances are 1 in 200,000.

Taylor, who wasn't at the football game, said she didn't think twice about her son playing the sport.

"He's been playing since I can remember," she said

Taylor and her ex-husband, Minturn Salmon, have spent a month alternating days and nights at the hospital. She said her strong faith and community support have helped her through her son's injuries.

Expenses a concern

The family now, she said, is focusing on Anthony's rehabilitation.

Taylor worries about expenses and being able to give her son the right tools for recovery. A high-tech wheelchair that will enable him to do everyday activities by moving his head through computerized technology could reach $1 million, Molinari said.

The family created a fund to help with expenses.

Anthony looks forward to hanging out with his friends, going to the movies and just driving his car. But the first step is rehabilitation, and he is counting down the days.

Taylor said her son's passion for recovery has given her strength and hope.

"His actions are encouraging," Taylor said.

"It has encouraged my faith to a level that I didn't even know I had."

EARBELO@DemocratandChronicle.com

Donations
Donations can be sent to the Anthony J. Salmon Fund, Citibank N.A., 1441 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618.
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