“Everything’s impossible until somebody does it.” – Chinese fortune cookie
The Christopher Reeve Foundation recently published its annual Progress in Research report. A large portion of it was devoted to the topic of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) as it relates to the epidural stimulation program being conducted at the University of Louisville.
When it comes to FES, I am obviously a huge fan of it having benefited greatly from FES devices – the Diaphragm Pacer, which helped me get off the ventilator and eventually breathe on my own again; the Spinal Cough Assist Stimulator, which helps me clear my lungs when needed and guard against pneumonia and choking; and most recently, the RT 300 FES Bicycle, which allows me to work out my muscles and improve my strength and overall health.
However, there are some truly amazing results happening as a result of the epidural stimulation program in Kentucky. A few months ago I spoke about Rob Summers, who was the first participant. He had a C7-T1 spinal cord injury with no motor function below his chest. Researchers implanted an epidural stimulator over his lumbar spinal cord. That, plus a lot of aggressive Locomotor (treadmill) Training, enabled him to stand on his own, take steps and after seven months regain voluntary motor function when the stim was on. Even more surprising, Summers regained bladder control and near normal sexual function, even when the stim was off. Prior to that he hadn’t moved anything in four years.
Since Rob, there have been three additional participants. All of their stories are equally remarkable.
Kent Stephenson, paralyzed from the chest down and living as a T4 Asia A, was selected to participate in the epidural stimulation research. As he tells it, “The first time they turned the stim on I felt a charge in my back. I was told to try to pull my left leg back, something I had tried without success many times before. So I called it out loud, ‘left leg up.’ I felt a sort of charge go down my leg and then a tightness. This time it worked! My leg pulled back toward me. I was in shock; my mom was in the room and was in tears. Words can’t describe the feeling that overcame me at that moment – an overwhelming happiness! I had been told by doctors that because I was an ASIA A I would never be able to move voluntarily. The feeling is amazing. It really gives you back that part of yourself you feel you lost when you became injured. When this all started, my injury was supposed to be a life-ending deal, really, that is how the doctors told it to me. But in fact, it has been an adventure.
Andrew Meas broke his neck at C6-7. He was selected for the research program and put through 80 sessions of Locomotor Training, to make sure he had no motor function below the lesion level. He did not. He got the surgery and was implanted with the epidural stim. Once it was turned on, he could stand on his own. Then, on command he was able to lift up his legs – pretty easily, even without the stim. Yes, leg function is a spectacular feature of epidural stimulation, but for Andrew the most important benefit is in managing his autonomic dysreflexia [AD, a dangerous blood pressure problem for people with injuries above T6]. In addition to eliminating his AD, he has also experienced great improvement in bladder/bowel and sexual function.
Dustin Shillcox was paralyzed at level T-5, ASIA A. After he had heard about Rob Summers, he put his name in the pool in hopes of being part of the epidural stim study. In his own words: “The feeling I get when I turn the stim on is amazing; when I stand or work on walking I feel great because I’m doing things that I was told would never happen again. The ability to move my legs is awesome and it makes me excited for the future because the four of us in the epidural stim program all keep making progress. I have also had progress in improved bowel, bladder, and sexual function – this alone has given me a strong self-confidence. The stimulator makes me feel normal. It’s like I’m back.”
I think Dustin sums everything up quite well by saying, “If I talk with someone who has a new spinal cord injury I’d tell him or her about how exciting the research is and how important it is to stay healthy and keep involved with therapy. I tell people – and show them by my example – that scientists are making great improvements for people with a spinal cord injury.”
Finally, all of you can do your part to help those living with a spinal cord injury. Once again, my friend, Traci, will be donating $1 to my foundation, Getting Back Up, for each “Happy Birthday” post she receives either below in the Comments section or on her Facebook page. So please be sure to wish her a happy birthday and know that you are helping others in doing so!
Stand Strong!
Scott
happy Birthday Traci!
Scott you are truly an inspiration and I know you will get to feel the same excitement these folks did one day!
I had tears in my eyes when reading your post of the medical advancements for spinal cord injuries. There is hope. Happy Birthday, Traci.
Thanks for sharing that information. Wow! Such hopeful progress is being made to help spinal cord injury patients.
Happy belated Birthday, Traci : } Hoping tha toyu will count the belated wishes,too.
Scott – Thanking God for for all of the blessings that are still to come your way.
Interesting info Scott! Thanks for sharing!
Happy Birthday Traci!
Thanks for sharing the research break throughs and success stories! Happy, Happy birthday to Traci!
Happy Birthday Traci. Hope you have a wonderful year and that all your hard work pays off 10 fold
Scott,
This is exciting stuff! Traci, Happy Birthday.
Scott, this is amazing news!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACI!!
Happy Birthday Traci,
God Bless!
Happy birthday Traci!
Happy Birthday Traci!
Happy Birthday, Traci!!
Happy Birthday Traci 🙂
Happy Birthday Traci!
Happy birthday Tracie….
Happy Birthday Traci!!
Happy Birthday Traci!
Traci, Happy Birthday. Scott, what wonderful things are happening. Love to you and God bless.
Cherry
Hppy Birthday, Traci.
Happy Birthday Traci, #21????
Nice Generosity!
Steve
Happy Birthday, Traci
Happy Birthday Traci. Sto Lat! (100 years!) Robert
Traci, Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Traci.
Happy Birthday Traci!
Best wishes on your birthday, Traci. Ralph
Happy Birthday, Traci! Way to go!
Happy Birthday Traci…what an awesome way to celebrate! Prayers continue for you, Scott!
Happy Birthday Traci!! Loved this weeks post Scott!!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday Traci! Keep moving Scott!
Happy birthday Traci! And Stand Strong Scott!
Happy birthday Traci! And Stand Strong Scott!
Happy Birthday Traci!
Have a wonderfully Happy Birthday Traci
Happy, happy, happy birthday, Traci, and many more!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Traci!!! Have a great day!!!!
Happy Birthday Traci! What a selfless act! Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy your day!
Happy Birthday Traci !!!!!
Happy Birthday, Traci! Thank you for doing this!
All the best to you, Scott. These stories are amazing!
Happy Birthday Traci!!
Happy Birthday Traci and many, many more . . . Cheers, Mike