Project Walk 2011

Dream Team

With all the love and support of Team JC, we headed back to Carlsbad, Ca in search of our miracle. For six weeks, JC endured 3-4 hours a day of intensive therapy, 3 days a week, with acupuncture 3 times a week. As soon as we walked in, everyone commented on how much stronger JC was. They were amazed at how far he came in the time that he was away, and decided that they needed to ramp up his program!

The next few weeks were nothing short of intense and amazing. JC worked so hard to obtain every small goal, and they demanded nothing less than perfection from him. We were told that he was no longer allowed to be in the large manual tilt and space wheel chair, but that he had to be in a self propelling wheelchair by the end of the week. So we rented one from Advanced Medical Supply, whose customer service was beyond excellent. By the end of the week, we saw more and more movement through his legs, and improved trunk control. By the end of the trip, he was able to self propel in this wheelchair!

JC worked tirelessly for every small gain. They started him on a program that would focus on his core, to help get it strong enough for him to maintain a straight sitting posture. As his core became stronger, they realized that it would send signals down his legs. They innovatively used the RTI bike to fire up his core in standing, sitting, and hands and knees.

As the six weeks went on, JC made tremendous strides. He was able to tolerate standing, with close to a completely straight posture, on the total gym, as he practiced knee bends and extensions. He became strong enough to go on the treadmill and demonstrated some initiation of steps, which the therapists help him complete. They showed us how to have him do assisted squats, standing, and adapt regular exercises to strengthen every muscle in his body. At the end of the six weeks he was able to stand in the gait trainer walker with the assistance of electric stimulation to his legs. This was truly an unbelievable sight and the perfect way to end our trip! We realized the possibilities that still lay before us, and the work we still had to do. However, we know that with hard work, determination, and faith anything is possible.