It was November 3, 2011. I fell 80ft from an 8th story balcony from a complex in Malden, MA. I was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where they were able to save my life even though the police report says, "subject not to make it to hospital". That's when prayer interviened. Prayer came from every angle, not just from friends and family but also being on prayer lists such as The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in New York. My life was spared. Although I broke my back at T12 and fractured my c4, I am a paraplegic with, incredibly, my head intact. If c4 would have hit the spinal cord I would have been a quadriplegic, but my spinal cord was severed at T12. I broke almost all of the bones in my body. Hardware in every limb except my right leg because the bone was crushed. I had an external fixator there.
December 13th I was transferred from Mass General to Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Boston. It was at Spaulding when I had to come to terms with that happened and understand that this would be permanent. I was also mentally beaten, trapped in a hospital bed full of despair, depression, pain, grief, and so many more words that cannot even come close to describe how I felt. I thought my life was doomed.
When I was sent home I was recommended of a program to participate in from my outpatient physical therapist. It was called Empower. I was leery about attending the program because I was 100% dependent upon my PCA's with everything such as my morning routine and even being rolled in bed.
The program was held at Stoney Brook University on Long Island, NY. The first day at there I was completely ecstatic to see other people like myself in wheelchairs. I had never been around anyone else in a chair since I had been home. Just the feeling of that is indescribable. Being around people with a common denominator, like being in wheelchairs, makes you feel at ease, like you're not alone. Seeing other people doing the things you want to do, gave me hope.
While at Empower there were a lot of times when you're one on one with a PT or OT to help reach your goals that you had set up when you arrived. I had three huge goals that I didn't think I would make but gave it a shot to at least get better at them. I worked hard that week and was able to accomplish them with all the encouragement around me. I still can't believe that by the time I was going home I had met all my goals with the ability to use them by myself with confidence. Just these few things went from me being completely dependent to completely independent.
Another favorite aspect of the program was the activities they had going on. Before my accident I would have never thought, or wanted, to go kayaking. We did, and I had a blast doing it and it is an activity I love to do. I also went swimming and bike riding and activities that you wouldn't have done otherwise.
There were also, of course, the speakers who had experience with things like finding work, exercise, diet, stretching, accessible places and how to do things you used to do, that you thought you never could again.
I will be forever grateful for this program and for the learning experience I had. I came home full of life. Anyone who saw me before and after are beside themselves with what a transformation I achieved. I learned more about living life on life's terms in this one week, than I had from kindergarten to graduation. It's an experience I will hold in my heart forever.
Thank you for reading my story of what was so important to me.
A priceless program to me... EmpowerSCI and their Facebook Page
