At 22, Rob Summers was a junior at Oregon State University. He pitched for the school's College World Series champion baseball team and dreamt of playing in the major leagues some day. But that all changed when a hit-and-run driver paralyzed Summers from the chest down.
Summers was told that he would never walk again, but Summers didn't accept that. "I'm going to walk again," he assured everyone. This summer, thanks to a medical breakthrough, Summers did just that. He walked.
A Medical Breakthrough and a Modern Superman
In 2009, a nerve stimulator was implanted in Summers spine, just below the injured area. The stimulator allows Summers to move his hips, legs, feet and even wiggle his toes. He was able to stand again and take steps on a treadmill.
Researchers caution that this is not a cure for paralysis, but it is a step in the right direction. Of the approximately six million people living with some form of paralysis, this breakthrough is expected to be suitable for only 10 to 15 percent, but for those that may benefit, the opportunity to stand on their own two feet may once again be possible. For Summers, doing so, "[W]as the most incredible feeling."
Santa Rosa injury attorneys may not offer medical breakthroughs for those who've been injured or paralyzed by the negligence of another, but they do offer the opportunity to afford the necessary medical treatment to get you back on your feet. Or as close to it as possible.
Paralysis and Car Accidents — an Unfortunate Connection
According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, almost a quarter of paralysis is caused by spinal cord injury. About one quarter of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle crashes. For those who live with spinal cord injury, the costs are immense. In the first year of injury, disabled individuals can expect to spend between one- and three-quarters of a million dollars.
Ninety percent of spinal cord injury victims return home after being discharged from the hospital. Homes that may have been perfectly suited for an individual before becoming paralyzed may require extensive modification to allow access by wheel chair, including ramps rather than steps and widening doorways to accommodate the width of a wheel chair.
It goes without saying that a catastrophic injury that results in paralysis - paraplegia or quadriplegia - is a life-changing event. Experienced and compassionate California paraplegia injury attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover and accommodate your new lifestyle while researchers continue to work toward a cure for spinal cord injury.
