Jim Lubin
Sat, 17 May 2008 14:21:08 -0700
I woke up with a pain in my shoulder. Went to work and about 30 mins later the pain got very intense. I suddenly could not stand then stopped breathing. I later found out that my heart stopped and it took awhile for them to stabilize me to even transport me to the hospital a few blocks away. The doctors had no idea what had happened to me. initial thought were possibly a stroke, lyme disease, or Guillain-Barre Syndrome. I was in and out during that time, could not talk, only remember bits. After about 2 weeks I had a MRI and was given the diagnoses of Acute Transverse Myelitis.
I was in ICU until July 31 then transfered to rehab. In rehab I was treated as a person with a spinal cord injury. I had physical therapy which consisted of giving me range of motion and practice driving my sip and puff operated wheelchair. In speech therapy and occupational therapy I learned morse code to access the computer. I practiced typing and played tetris and chess. In October, I was able to leave the hospital for the first time and went to see the Batman movie. I started going to movies about once a week. The nurses always tried to get the other patients to go out when I went because I was the only vent dependent high level quadriplegic and enjoyed going out. Others were paraplegics, having problems dealing with their condition. I was in rehab until January 31st.
I've been paralyzed most of my life. Wow how time flies. ---- Jim Lubin [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://makoa.org/jim disAbility Resources: http://www.makoa.org