Ok today I want to show you what the medical outlook is for me based on my injury level. In all honesty it is quite depressing so before I tell you I want to give you reasons why I don’t believe it and why you shouldn’t either.
First thing is that I believe in God and through God all things are possible.
This outlook is based on old practices and does not include methodologies like the activity/exercise based therapy, etc.
The advances in stem cell research for SCI.
The many success stories I’ve read about walking or highly functioning quads (will post links).
Patrick Rummerfield’s Green Bananas
The many visions that people, not just people who know me well but people I have not spoken to or seen in years or even really know at all, have had of me walking.
The Secret.
Because of the things listed above, I refuse to believe or live my life as listed below!
For my type of injury doctors will generally say I have about a 3% chance to walk again, and that all significant functional return will occur within the first 2 years. In layman’s terms, at 2 years you are the way that you are and you will not get anything else back, so learn to live with it. Live with the functionality of a C5 SCI victim as listed below:
Mobility & Movement
Full head and neck movement with good muscle strength. Good shoulder movement.
Complete paralysis of body and legs. No finger or wrist movement. No elbow extension, good elbow flexion.
Sympathetic nervous system will be compromised, possibility of Autonomic Dysreflexia.
Electric wheelchair can be controlled with a hand control for uneven surfaces. A manual wheelchair may be used for short distances on flat surfaces.
The person will require total assistance when transferring from a bed to a wheelchair and from a wheelchair into a car. A hoist will have to be used, possibly by one to two assistants for safety.
Ability to feed self using feeding strap and fork or spoon during mealtimes. Food will need cutting.
Ability to drive a car adapted with hand controls. Assistance may be required to load wheelchair into car independently.
Respiratory System
Able to breathe without a ventilator using diaphragm. Low stamina.
Assistance required to clear secretions and assistance in coughing will be required.
Personal Care
Complete personal assistance is required. The person will need assistance with washing, dressing, and assistance with bowel and bladder management.
Ability to shave and brush hair may be possible with palm straps.
Domestic Care
Complete domestic care is required, such as household cleaning, washing of clothes and kitchen duties, preparation of meals and general household duties.
Communication
A computer may be operated using a typing stick or voice recognition. Telephone can be used using voice recognition and headset.
The above functionality guide is only a general guide. Abilities will vary depending on the persons weight, existing medical conditions and age.