The Story

This is a blog designed to keep my family and friends up to date with my recovery in therapy and life. For those that don't know, I was is a terrible snowboarding accident on March 4, 2010. I was traveling down a trail with my brother-in-law Casey. We were going fast, but weren't out of control. Due to the time of the day, there was what they call " a white out effect", that's when a person has a hard time noticing some elevation changes in the snow. Unfortunately for me, when I reached the point in the trail where it merged with another trail, there was a bad drop off. By the time I realized this it was too late. I sailed off of the drop and was about 15-20ft. in the air before I landed on my tailbone in the hard packed snow. My legs instantly went numb and I was having a very hard time breathing. Casey rushed to me and all I could say was " I just paralyzed myself, go get help!". I was air lifted to Loma Linda Hospital and after hours of test they found that I had shattered my T12 vertebrate. I was put into surgery for 4 hours and received a titanium cage, rods, screws and other materials to rebuild my spine. During the injury my spinal cord was compressed and the broken pieces from the vertebrate actually punctured my spinal cord. After a few days in the ICU, I started to get feeling on the top of my thighs, knees and front of my shins. This was amazing because initially the doctors didn't expect me to regain much, if any , feeling or movement in my legs. I spent 8 days recovering in the ICU before I was transferred to Long Beach Memorial Rehab Center. I spent 2 weeks recovering there, as well as receiving great therapy. I progressed so well that I was actually discharged a week early. Next, I researched outpatient therapy centers and found Precision Rehabilitation in Long Beach. Lucky for me their gym is close and has some of the most qualified therapist in the country. That's the story and the rest will be posted here for you all to enjoy.

As you all can imagine, this has been a terrorizing experience. If it wasn't for the strong support of my family and friends, I know without a doubt, I wouldn't be able to get through this. I strongly look forward to getting back on my feet, so that I can enjoy everyday with my beautiful wife and wonderful boys.


Friday, May 21, 2010

May 21

Today was a great day of therapy, I worked really hard. The good news is that my dad was there today as well as my brother so I was able to get some video for everyone. There are three videos, first is me working on stairs so click here, the second is me with forearm crutches so click here and the third is me walking with minimal hand assistance from Chad and Jerry, the therapist, so click here. I really like walking with their assistance, because it is the closest thing to real walking and I'm using almost all legs. I mainly use their hands to help balance myself. I hope you all enjoy the videos and I'll check back in next week.

Have a good weekend, Josh
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

May 20

I don't have anything too exciting to write about this week; however, I met a couple at therapy this week and he is in a wheelchair as well. We just hung out with them tonight here at our house and they are really nice people. We just talked for a few hours and seemed to like each other. It's nice being able to talk with other people who are experiencing the same challenges as you are. Hopefully we'll be hanging out more in the future. I'll try to get some more videos soon, because I know that you all like to see them.
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Thursday, May 13, 2010

May 13

Yesterday in therapy I did some more walking with the forearm crutches. I'm really enjoying that because it makes me feel like I will be getting out of my chair, sooner than later. We shot some video of it and another one with me walking in the parallel bars. It was shot on a phone, so it isn't the best quality. To see the video with the forearm crutches click here and the parallel bars click here. I hope you enjoy and I can't thank everyone enough for all the supportive comments you all have been leaving.
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

May 11

Well I hope all the mom's had a great Mother's Day. I don't have any big news, but I have been working hard in therapy. I have been noticing improvement in the strength of my legs. Yesterday I walked with some forearm crutches and I did pretty well for my first time. My therapist really wants to get me walking with a cane in the next few weeks, but we'll have to wait to see if it is a realistic goal, I think it is! I haven't been able to shoot any videos or pictures lately, but I'll try to soon.
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Catching up!

It has been a few days since my last post, but things are going really good. The poker tournament had a great turn out. Everyone seemed to have a really good time, I know I did! Sunday I had an outing by myself for the first time. I have been able to take my walker out to my truck, stand up with it and then put my wheelchair in the back of my truck. Then I walk to the side of the truck and hop in. It feels really nice to get more self efficient. This week, and the next two weeks, my therapist is on vacation. I'm working with a therapist named Jerry right now and I really enjoy him. He has been doing some different types of workouts and he pushes me pretty hard. I posted a short new video and hopefully there will be more by the end of the week. I'll try to post some pictures tonight.
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