My Story
You're probably wondering exactly what "T11 para incomplete" means. Well, "T11" refers to the level of injury, which for me is the 11th thoracic vertebrae. The "incomplete" means that I still have some function below my level of injury. In short, I am paralyzed starting about 2 inches below my navel. I can flex my inner thigh muscles and calf muscles, and can wiggle my toes a little and flex the muscles in my feet. I cannot stand or walk, and rely on my wheelchair for mobility. Because my injury is not a "true" spinal cord injury (the spinal cord itself sustained no mechanical damage, but the nerve cells were destroyed from the surgery), I am a good candidate for stem cell therapy - infusions of stem cells into my spine to replace those that died from oxygen deprivation. There is also a procedure called "nerve re-routing" that is very promising in returning some function to the body. Cindi and I have done quite a bit of research on these procedures, and it seems that the best place to have either of them done is China, where the procedures have already advanced past the clinical trial phase and the hospitals where they are performed are reputable. My goal is to save enough money to go to China for about 2 months to have treatment that very well might give me more strength and mobility. In the US, there's been some advanced research done specifically related to "ischemic paraplegia." (That's what I have.) That research has been done at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) by Dr. Martin Marsala. In 2007, Neuralstem (headquartered in Rockville, MD) obtained the license to Dr. Marsala's stem cell delivery technology. Neuralstem hopes to move to clinical trials with this technology in 2008. It's likely that I'll still go to China for treatment since the clinical trial process is so lengthy and expensive in the US. However, if I should get accepted into the clinical trial program, I would happily opt for treatment right here in the US. Check out my Links page if you're interested in finding out more about the research. |  |
Prior to July 17, 2005, I owned a successful business. I ran 4 miles each day, rain or shine. I was active, healthy, and happy. On the night of July 17th, a group of us had been to see a movie. On the way home, my car was struck on my side (driver’s side) by a 17-year-old drunk driver who ran a red light traveling at a high rate of speed. His truck tore into the driver’s side door and my body took the full impact of his much-larger vehicle. I was trapped in the car for almost 3 hours while emergency personnel worked desperately to save my life. I was flown by helicopter to the nearest trauma hospital, comatose and barely clinging to life. After nearly 6 hours had passed, a doctor at the hospital found that I had an “aortic dissection” (torn aorta). The fact that I was still alive was a miracle, since statistics show that about 90% of victims with aortic dissections do not make it to the emergency room alive. The remaining 10% are likely to die within 2 hours of reaching the ER. I was rushed to surgery, still comatose and near death. My children (ages 19 and 21 at that time) had been called in to say their last good-byes. Because of the extent and type of my injuries, the only procedure that could be performed to repair the aorta was a surgical procedure that required clamping the artery, inevitably resulting in "spinal ischemia" (like a spinal "stroke"), leaving me paralyzed from deprivation of blood and oxygen to the nerve cells in my spine. The alternative procedure would have surely resulted in my death. My kids had to make this terrible decision on my behalf, not knowing if I’d rather die or live life as a paraplegic. Over 3 weeks later, I emerged from the coma to be told I would probably never walk again. My fiancée decided she couldn’t handle the situation and broke up with me the evening before I was transferred from Daytona to the VA hospital in Tampa. (Don't worry, I realize now what a blessing it was.) Soon after, I lost my home and my business. My life had indeed changed profoundly. I remained in rehab at the VA hospital for about a year, first as an inpatient and then as an outpatient. I slowly grew accustomed to my new routine and all the extra time and work required to take care of my body properly. Although I was fortunate to not go through a period of depression, I had times of sadness and frustration. In fact, I still feel sad sometimes - but mostly, I'm thankful to be here, thankful to have found the love of my life, thankful that God has blessed me in so many ways. I now refer to the night of my accident as "the night my life changed for the better." I truly know myself now, and I know I can achieve just about anything. I know what's important and what isn't. I've found unconditional love - someone (my sweet Cindi) who loves me just the way I am and who I love like no other. I drive, bowl, play basketball, work part-time at my former business, and do most of the things I did before The Big Night except play golf. I haven't quite figured that one out, yet, but give me time. I have 2 wonderful kids - Nikkie and Chris - and 2 wonderful "steps" - Seth and Olivia. I have loyal, supportive friends who have shown over and over again how much they care. I've got a stronger relationship with my brother than ever before. I consider myself a very blessed man. I thank God every single day for the wonderful life I have now. 