walkagain's Blog

God bless them! That's what I have to say. These people are not letting a little thing like not being able to walk get in their way of realizin their dreams and becoming an inspiration to us all.

I want to follow these guys and see them live someday. Awesome bro...thansfor sharing.

Friends...

I just had the privledge of visiting a site that on the surface seems to have allot of information on SCI. Their community board seems vey active. I read a few posts and it seemed to me that many of the people were depressed there.

I mentioned this in my initial post. I went on to say that in a chair or out of a chair we need to live life to the fullest. No matter what your situation is you can have hope for the future.

This is where they attacked me...including the owner of the site. I had a look at the owners profile and there he was sitting in his chair with a 16oz can of budwiser in his lap.

Things started making sense. I could be wrong and if I am, I am sorry...but it seems that many, probably not all on that site are just too cought up in their situation to believe anything else.

My only thought is perhaps I could be of some help to encourage them...but they reected any positive thing I had to say. They went and read my site and saw that I make no bones about me being a Christian and having faith. One guy even attempted to make fun of me by saying (ADULT CONTENT WARNING) "God must not be real because I have been praying for a bigger penis and it has not happened".

This makes me very sad that instead of trying to improve your situation...in a wheel chair or out...they sit around and wait for their life to end with no thought of what may happen beyond this life.

Now, in all fairness, I did take some time to poke around the site and found some useful threads that didn't make me fell like they were at the end of their rope. One guy went on and on about how he was fat, in a wheelchair, worthless and his girlfriend was leaving him. I understand getting things off your chest...but my goodness.

I do wish the best for all of them at that site. My prayers go out to them and I pray that next time a stranger comes their way, even if they disagree they will show some kindness instead of hanging them without a trial.

I think all of us could stand to use a lesson of humilty. I am speaking to myself as well. We need to try and be sensative to the needs and cares of others and to try and not let all of our needs supercede the needs of those around us.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Kevin
www.walkagain.info

Hello Spinergy:

Awhile back I did a review of the Easystand: http://dnw.lefora.com/2008/08/13/easy-stand/page1/

Perhaps, Easystand can stop back by and give us some more details. I am sure that I left allot out.

Kevin

One of the members at www.overnightvoice.com posted this and it warmed my heart so much I thought i would share it.

"I saw the link on top of the forum to your story. In your story I saw tears, confusion, love but most of all I see determination. My heart really goes out to you in your fight to walk again. With your positive attitude and determination and faith in God you WILL walk again. This story reminds me of a book I read back in 1978. It was called "Against All Odds" by Tom Helms. I have brought up this book to so many people these past 20 yrs. Him just like you were fighting for the same thing. To walk again. He was paralized also. The doctors kept telling him he would never walk again. He showed them wrong. He fought and fought and did walk again but as I remember I believe he fell down again one day and was paralized again but he fought back once again. That book brought tears to my eyes and your story is so identical to it and also brought tears to my eyes. I know you will walk again. I will pray each day for you till you do walk again! You too can prove these docs wrong......I don't know the prognosis they gave you but if they ever give up on you....God won't! Through God you will walk. God is giving the doctors the tools you need to make that miracle happen. Never give up. I know you won't. I don't know you but I truly felt your determination in walking again. God also will provide the means for all your meds and therapy. I also know that through your story you will touch many people that may be going through the same thing as you and you will be giving them hope and the same determination that you have to fight. I hope your story will go nationally. Not only do you need your story on the net but you have to write a book and the great ending of the book will be YOU WALKING!! Too many give up unfortunately. You may be the answer to those that feel like giving up.

God bless you Kevin and your wonderful family who is supporting you through all this.

Ramona"

Today was a pretty exceptional day. My physical therapist, Lou, is always thinking. He is constantly coming up with new things to try. Today we really worked my upper body. Afterwards I felt some fatigue. This was good because I usually, I am not that tired.
I like it when I feel like I did something. Both Lou and Jill are exceptional…and when Paul is not trying to stick me up…he is exceptional too. Haha
I feel more and more (although sometimes small) strength returning to my legs. I will walk again!
Tomorrow I am going to be starting a diet to help me shed some pounds. I was all set to do the lap band but I am not able to because I am on blood thinners. They will do the by-pass…but that is a bit too permanent for me. My will is strong and I will post here each step of my progress.
I will not be able to post pounds lost…because it is not practical for me to weigh. However, I can tell you I have a starting weight of about 420lbs. Yeah I know! That’s why I have made up my mind. My goal is to hit 190lbs. This will not be easy and the journey will be long. But listen: My weight loss is not in spite of my recovery…but part of my recovery plan. I will walk again!
That’s about it for now. Thank you all for your thoughts and your prayers. I sure would like you to register and comment. This would be of great encouragement.

Take care,
Kevin

Today was my semi-annual follow up with my spinal cord injury doc; Dr. Kadyan in Boise, ID.

Dr. Kadyan also followed me while I was in St. Alphonsus Hospital. For a democrat, he's alright. :)

He got onto me a little bit about my drinking. Before you get excited...I don't drink alcohol. I drink allot of water and Juice...and my occassional strawberry milk --- YUMMY!

I told him about my movement. He gave me that yeah right look. So I did what anybody would of done...I showed him. The shock on his face was almost indescrible...if I would have called him on the phone he wouldn't have believed.

He said that it was "remarkable". I said, "I AM GOING TO WALK AGAIN!" He chucked and said, "That's what you have always asaid and I look forward to the day when you walk in here."

I look forward to that day...I keep proving the doctors wrong. Listen to me...your doc will eat it up if you prove him wrong. he wants to be wrong on this one...I WILL WALK AGAIN!!!

Take care...post more later.

The Moveo XP is an innovating platform that allows SCI patients to participate in safe weight bearing exercises...either assisted or unassisted.

This is a great machince for transitional exercises to help you stand.

* Allows for earlier weight bearing activity in a controlled environment

* Improves cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal health

* Significantly decreases the adverse effects of bone demineralization

* Increases strength in the antigravity muscles of the lower extremity

This device may or may not be available for in home use with your insurance. If your rehab center does not have one...ASK. You will be surprised at the amount of equipment your therapist does not know about. You may have to educate them.

You might call your local supply store and ask if they carry the Moveo XP and if it is covered by your insurance.

If you have used

Today I went to my long awaited seminar for lap band surgery. Some very interesting facts...
However, because I am on blood thinners I cannot get the surgery. I am thinking about gastric bypass surgery...which I am eligible for. I was wondering if there is anyone here that has had this and if they can give me some insight.
Kevin

If you are sitting around wondering if you will ever get better...then you will probably be doing it along time. Stop wondering and start working on getting better.

I am always looking for new devices and technology that can help not only myself but others. Hopefully, I wil be able to inspire you and help you make decisions about your rehabilitation. I looked up the word "REHABILITATE" and found thsi definition, "to restore to a condition of good health".

WHETHER YOU THINK YOU CAN OR YOU THINK YOU CAN'T EITHER WAY YOU ARE RIGHT.

Okay...

Many of you have heard of standing frames. If you have not...here are a few of the benefits:

1. Helps prevent and heal pressure sores
2. Helps with digestion
3. Helps with cardio
4. Helps improve bone density
5. Helps reduce spasticity
6. Helps manage pain
7. Helps with your overall well being

Here is a list of the many benefits: http://www.easystand.com/health-benefits/index.cfm

There are several companies out there manufacture standing machines with different fuctions and different styles. Today I want to focus on one.

http://www.easystand.com/5000/index.cfm

The reason I fell in love with this machine is because it has an attachment that will allow you to work your upper and lower body and get you a great cardio workout.

The EasyStand Evolve ( http://www.easystand.com/evolv/index.cfm) has several attachments available...including a mobile mover abd the glider. Watch the attached video for more information. Also, you will want to talk to your physical therapist and visit the finance page...the VA will pay for it and there are several other sources for financing. http://www.easystand.com/funding/index.cfm

I think that everyone in a chair should own a standing machine. Talk to your therapist...most injury levels can usually use and benefit from the standing machine.

Good luck!

Kevin
www.walkagain.info

P.S. I do not benefit financially from recommending this product or that product. My purpous is to simply inform. If you would like to make a conribution you may visit my site.

Hello Richard!

Nice to see you here. This site, I beleive is going to be a great resource for all of us. Information will overflow from these pages.

Take care,

Kevin

Many of you probably heard of locomotive training. This is where a spinal cord injury patient is put into a harness and then put on a treadmill. The treadmill is turned on and with the help of two physical therapy aides...they are able to walk.

What happens over several sessions is the brain and the spinal cord are retrained. "oh yes, we are supposed to walk". Studies show that in some spinal cord injuries that 9 out of 10 regain the ability to walk.

This training should be a part of everyones recovery program.

I have just discovered the Lokomat. The Lokomat does what the aides and the treadmill do...except it uses a robot to move your legs. This is excellent news...the therapists don't get tired and you can stay on for longer. The other benefit is you are taking the human element out...which means your stride or steps are exactly the same.

This is worth a look and some individual research. We will be getting one of these for our rehabilitation center.

Thank you Spinergy for bringing me to your wonderful site. I have linked back to your site from our resources page. I plan on coming back and being an active part of your growing community.

Please stop by our site: http://www.walkagain.info to read about my story. You will also find among the pages a resource and a research section.

Take care and please feel free to contact me anytime if there is anything I can do for you!